2012 Planners Report

                                          PLANNERS REPORT 2012

 

This year’s map covered two quite distinct areas of terrain bisected by the A684; to the West, The Howgills ancient slates and sandstones typically weathered into domed hills with steep sides, and to the East; Wild Boar Fell, Swarth Fell and Baugh Fell with gentler more boggy slopes on their West side down to the A684 and steep escarpments to the East, sandstone and limestone on their flanks with a plateau of millstone grit.

I last competed in the event in 1995 at The Brecon Beacons and I have been involved with the Planning Team since The Cheviots in 2002, when I was asked to plan this year’s event The Howgills was not an area that I was very familiar with, however over the last year I have had some fantastic days out in the area, Sedbergh and The Howgills really are hidden gems too often in the shadow of the Lake District.

In planning the courses I tried to give all competitors the opportunity to sample both parts of the area, given the constraints of getting the competitors back to the finish on the shorter linear courses these courses didn’t use much of the area to the East of the A684, however all the Score courses had the option to visit both areas. My objectives were to introduce as much route choice as and where possible and looking at Rouge Gadget it is interesting to see which routes competitors took, also to spread competitors out across the fell and minimise “crocodiles”.

The weekend like the terrain turned out to be two quite distinct parts or to use football parlance “a game of two halves” in terms of the weather, sunny and dry on Saturday, misty and wet on Sunday. On Saturday morning I walked up onto the fells above the start just below Arant Haw, in glorious sunshine it was great to see everyone spread out across the fells heading off in different directions.

It is only when you get involved “behind the scenes” that you really appreciate what a huge logistical event the OMM is, Jen and her teams do a magnificent job I can’t name them all but they know who they are and they all deserve a big pat on the back. I will however mention some individuals who help me as planner; Steve & Roger for their calm control, help and advice; Pete, Barry & Julie for their help putting out and checking controls in the week before the event; and last but by no means least Ann, who not only helped on the fells but feed us all week, thanks to you all I couldn’t have done it without you.

Many thanks for the positive comments received over the weekend and after the event, especially those finishing in the dark on Saturday and in the rain on Sunday who still managed to smile and comment that they enjoyed the courses; it really does make you feel that all your efforts have been worthwhile.

I hope you all enjoyed taking part in the event as much as I did planning it.

Hope to see you next year, somewhere in Wales.

Jeff Harris

Planner - OMM 2012