Tinto Twin 2010 Inshriach
‘ Inshriach Dubh’
Well I thought this might be a bit of fun. Whistle, headtorch, yes got that, spare little torch just in case.
Hmmm I could be brave and do the No5, the second easiest one at only 3.0Km, it can’t be that bad!
Off we went and on arrival there are all these people wandering about with huge lamps on their heads and big battery packs strapped on stomping about in the gloaming and getting warmed up. There is me and my little headtorch in a different class! Maybe it is easier the brighter you make it as everyone was conserving their ample light power until they were off.
Well the start was on a path which was a very good move and I had no difficulty in the first 2 minutes finding the junction. I even passed Marieke. Left turn and find the shape of the ground, not easy as I see so little, get a bearing and off the path into the Big Black Woods. It is not scary but you just don’t know exactly where you are! Bit of pacing so it should be just here; or near here; or somewhere but I cannot see it. Furrtil about a bit .. see lots of other lights. They are having the same problem as me so that is very comforting. Drat where is this first control! Back to the path - Relocate. I think I will get it this time as I must have just slipped up on the 1st shot. Check, right this is it- bearing, pacing in we go. DRAT where is this control then I eventually find it and it only took me 25 minutes.
Number 2, I am going to really concentrate. Found the right spot on the track and the tactic is pace in north a set distance then simply follow the direction and the contour with the pacing - has to work. Take your time. Does it feel right? Goodness, it is all full of forestry ditches, am I contouring?? Pace on, but which is uphill and which is down. It is not easy reading the map in this light. Well failed again. Back out and relocate and try a different approach. Its only 200m off the track and I get it eventually.
Jings leg 3 is huge! but has the aid of paths. Why do all the these runners have such bright lights they keep blinding me? Get the spot and this one is only 100m off the path and into a little hollow. I could sense I was in it this time and I run, well I walked into the hollow, should be here, somewhere but could I find it. NO. Back out, try a slightly different entry point and find some number of bright lights passing through and thanks I can see it. Good those bright lights are.
Number 4 is another short hop into the woods but a wee bit of the thicker stuff and you have no hope of going the right way. Wow Lucky I find it on my own and first time!
Five wasn’t a problem. Six was. I just about gave up on this one. Attack point OK, one leg and pace it in, nothing, just a lot of the bright light brigade and they can run! They do it in all directions as well which is very confusing. Second go and a bit of perseverance I see it in my dim field of light. Only 2 to go and after 130 minutes, to round it to a whole number, I finish, but feel rather depressed about the performance.
The saying ‘poor workmen blame their tools’ was in the back of my mind. It was a first try, and maybe I just know not to be so silly as to try it again. Maybe I can strap a Big 12v lead acid battery on my back, have an old sealed beam car headlamp in my hand and burn my way through the trees. Yes, none of this wasted time relocating just turn it all into broad daylight the more watts and the brighter the better.
It was a good exercise in not giving up hope.
Sunday was a whole lot better, the sun was up and I could SEE.
Robert Kincaid
Posted on 31st Oct 10
by Admin -
Night start
Night Course 5
Inshriach forest
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