Hi orienteers! We had nice cool weather up here in the mountains for our annual Bear Basin event. The forested and densely shrubbed courses proved challenging for our foothills experienced club members. Unfortunately the nice cool weather turned unpleasant when it started raining while many people were still out on their courses. Not everyone had map cases and we found that indeed the ink did not run on the laser printed maps, the paper on the other hand barely held together- just long enough to give up the ghost at the finish... Lee's parents were convinced to go on the "beginner+" course and they and the large Decker/ Goodwin family group enjoyed the mostly off trail challenge. Jenny went solo and whizzed through the course (narrowly beaten by a very quick Masha), then felt like trying the increased challenge of the intermediate course. That course however proved to be a bit much - I think she's got the bug and will try it again next time, though. The intermediate course proved a tad difficult with only one finisher, annual local competitor Doug M. The rest of the gang getting about half the controls and calling it a day when the rain got heavy and time ran out. The advanced course was the big draw with many competitors ready for the challenge. Jeff was first back with an incredible time, luckily a quick punch check revealed he'd made a mistake drawing his map and had inadvertantly skipped the second to last control. He was sent out to get the missed one; this being a local meet and there being no advantage to his route he was not penalized (except for the slower time). For future reference at an "A" meet the correct procedure on a skipped control is to go back to the missed control, and then complete the remainder of the controls in correct order - and yes they can tell your order with the e-punch system! This certainly is an argument for the advantage of pre-printed courses. Kristen was the big surprise, coming in with a very quick second place. I'd say she's back in shape after the babies - look out Sergey! Control number 4 was a bugaboo for several competitors, it being a shallow reentrant on a fairly featureless hillside. This was definitely the most difficult control out there and a couple never did find it. Don't get discouraged - we've all been there some time or other! Doug L. came back without all of his boxes punched, but with new knowledge - he says he "learned a lot". The evening turned pleasant and we had a nice little pot-luck around the fire. But not too close to the fire! The heated rocks started splitting and throwing out chips! Sunday a few die-hards showed up at the B.B. hoping to learn a thing or two, yet stay somewhat dry in the rainy conditions. We broke out the 100m. pace count course and tried that at different speeds and up and down the road. A discussion followed on how to use pace count out on the course. The new knowledge was put to use picking up the remaining controls. Saturday's DNFs show how important training in a non-competitive situation would be - hopefully we can get it together sometime in the future. Many thanks to Bill L. for putting out many of the controls and the use of his RV awning for a dry spot to hang out (hopefully not for the last time...) Also thanks to Jeff , Ole, Bill P. for help with control pick up. - Karin D., Meet director BEAR BASIN 2005 RESULTS ADVANCED - 8km. / 270m. climb 1. Sergey Velicko 1:00:00 2. Kristin Ritzenthaler 1:22:48 3. Michael Tobin 1:46:51 4. Jeff Black 1:47:16 (went back for #11 + 3 min. at finish) 5. Ole Bergset 2:06:27 6. Lee Scott 2:10:11 7. David Bergset 2:28:57 8. Bill Pilcher (w/ Rosie) 2:37:30 Doug LaMott DNF Bill Leahy DNF INTERMEDIATE - 5.9km. / 185m. climb 1. Doug Mastaler 1:47:26 Dondi Dawley (w/ & w/o Sage) DNF Dee Verti DNF Jenny Tobin DNF BEGINNER+ - 2.4km. / 55m. climb 1. Masha Velicko 26:27 2. Jenny Tobin 38:40 3. Kent & Didi Scott 51:00 4. Goodwin / Gregory / Decker group 1:14:05 Constanza Steiner? DNF For your course analyses here is best route for the advanced course by Sergey. Always remember to minimize distance, climb, and use bearing in open woods!