Elk Neck - Nov 6, 2011

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I was unsuccessful in my attempt to complete the short version of the Susquehanna Stumble.

The woods were very thick in places and the map was very old. According to the meet director the map had not aged well. He warned that there were plenty of things on the map (trails for instance) that were not there any more and other things that weren't on the map that are currently there. He was correct.

I didn't give up until after I found all the controls in the second window. I was getting concerned about how long I was taking. If I had just taken the road I probably could have completed the course, although not within the the 3 hour time limit. When I gave up I was worried that I was nearing the 5 hour time limit for the long course. If I had been keeping track of the time then I would have realized that I still had over an hour left at the time I gave up.

Within each of the two windows we had the option to find the controls in whatever order we wanted. Here's the order in which I found them. Control H was the last one that I found before giving up.

Window 1: C-B-D-A
Window 2: E-F-I-G-H

I carpooled to Elk Neck State Park with three other QOC members. The drive up and back was very pleasant. One of the other guys drove. It was nice to not be the one driving for once.

It was a cool day but not cold. Great weather for orienteering.

Susquehanna Stumble Short [16 controls; 8.54 km; 370m]
Time: 4:14 (approx) / DNF - results