2024 Hunter Valley Championships

2024 Hunter Valley Championships
Event Date: 2024-09-15
At:
Club: Newcastle Orienteering Club
2024 Hunter Valley Championships - Neath (between Abermain and Cessnock)

DATE: Sunday 15 September 2024
STARTS: 9:30am to 11:30am. COURSE CLOSURE: 1:00pm (Ensure you start your course with enough time to complete it prior to course closure).

DIRECTIONS: Cessnock Rd, Neath (western part).

PARKING: Three blocks of cleared land with scattered trees on the northern side of Cessnock Rd toward the western end of Neath will be used for assembly and most parking (weather permitting). The ENTRY TO THIS AREA is along the western edge of these three blocks.
From the EAST the entry is 700m west of the service station (north side of road). Look for signs before this turn so that you can indicate early that you intend to turn as there is no turning lane. From the WEST the entry is 200m from the western end of the houses on the northern side of Cessnock Rd.
ALTERNATE PARKING could be on tree covered vacant land on the southern side of the road. IF THE VACANT LAND IS TOO WET/ SOFT then use parking zones on both sides of Cessnock Rd (leave driveways clear).

ASSEMBLY/START/FINISH: The Assembly area is adjacent to the parking. The start will be 250m northeast of registration. FOLLOW STREAMER TRAIL. The finish is close to the Assembly area. Ensure you report to the Download Desk even if you did not complete your course!

MAP: “North Neath”. Scale 1:10 000. 5m contours. This is a new map for foot orienteering of an area which has previously been used for mountain bike orienteering events.

NOTES: This is another “green map” with extensive areas of T-tree and spikey growth. Most of the area was burnt in a fire at the end of last year. Some mapping was done before, and some after, the fire. Most of the green has been mapped as if the fire did not occur because what remained after the fire may have good visibility and look runnable BUT there is a great deal of dead spikey timber which can draw blood if you try to push through. FULL BODY COVER is recommended (gloves?)! However, there are some sections of open forest. Also, there some areas of clear/semi-clear land from past mining activity. Some of the natural watercourse pattern has been altered by this man-made activity using earth banks and concrete drains. Some upgrades of this work are still taking place, with rocks to be placed at entry points to some tracks to stop vehicle access. PLEASE READ NOTICES AT REGISTRATION TO SEE IF THIS WORK HAS IMPACTED THE MAP OR COURSES. Courses have been designed to take advantage of the more friendly sections which are linked by numerous tracks.
- The area is frequented by trail bikes and some 4WD vehicles. If you hear them MOVE OUT OF THEIR WAY.
- Firewood gatherers have been active. Main entry points to felled trees are shown as indistinct rides.
- The position of the body of a dead deer is shown on the map to help route choice.

COURSES: Distance / Climb / No. of controls / Description

*** NOTE: As this is the Hunter Valley Championships ENTRY IS BY AGE CLASS, not by Course. See the attached document for the Age/Course/Class Matrix ***

VERY EASY: 1.6km / 30m / 8 / Follows tracks and possible streamer trails.
EASY: 2.0km / 40m / 12 / Controls not far from tracks but you need to know where you are along the track before turning off.
MODERATE SHORT: 2.0km / 45m / 10 / Moderate navigation to prominent features with catching features nearby.
MODERATE LONG: 2.9km / 55m / 11 / Moderate navigation to prominent features with catching features nearby.
HARD SHORT: 3.3km / 60m / 12 / Difficult navigation.
HARD MEDIUM: 5.3km / 135m / 14 / Difficult navigation.
HARD LONG: 6.7km / 150m / 21 / Difficult navigation.

CONTROL DESCRIPTIONS: Printed on the map and loose copies available at registration.

WATER: Please bring your own water.

ENTRY FEES: https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Documents/Event/18760/1/Entry-Fees . Pre-entry before Sunday preferred.
First-timers also see https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Documents/Event/18868/3/How-to-Enter... .

COURSE PLANNER: Denis Lyons. VETTER: tbc

RESTRICTIONS: Dogs, smoking and fires are prohibited from ALL parking, assembly and competition areas.

ASSISTANCE REQUIRED: At least 5 HELPERS are needed to collect controls (including a fit person to collect 5 controls in the “high country”).