NSW Rogaining Association

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Last update 30/10/2012

Photos ...

1. Of the course, taken by the flag hangers
2. During the event, by Alexa McAuley
3. Of the event, by Trevor Gollan

Route Gadget ...

See the map, plot your route and view other teams route.

Description

The 2012 Spring Rogaine was held over the weekend of Sat 6th/Sun 7th of October. The rogaine area was generally well wooded with limited undergowth. Terrain varied from some areas of quite low relief to undulating to steep. There were a couple of tracks that allowed rapid access to the more distant areas of the course and provided for good water drops. The major creeks in the area were running freely.

BWRS was again on-site for first-aid and safety, and catering was in the capable hands of Alan and Sonia.

A section of the course closer to the hash house was set with novice and less heroic rogainers in mind. While still detailed enough to allow reliable navigation, the terrain was generally less steep and the controls had been placed more densely.

Because this was the last weekend of the NSW school holidays and the Hash House site is in such a fabulous location and easily accessible from Sydney and Canberra, we broke with tradition and announced that the Hash House was located in the Wombeyan Caves camping area.

There is a spectacular self-guided cave to see, as well as ranger-guided tours of display caves - fees and bookings through the caves office.

There is also a good swimming spot, and a lovely canyon to swim/float through, though as it is spring fed it may possibly be a bit cool in early October. There is a kiosk/café as well.

See the Wombeyan Caves website for more details -http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/parkHome.aspx?id=N0352  ­ and for some pictures.

Thanks for coming!

Michael Watts

Event Organiser.

An assistant course setter’s notes

As I was to drive back from Canberra on a Friday evening it was too good an opportunity to miss a day of volunteering to help Michael Watts with course setting out near Wombeyan Caves for the Spring 24 hour rogaine. I stopped over at the historic Taralga Hotel. Great value rooms, huge roaring fire, mixed grill big enough to feed a rogaining team and good company at the bar. Better than camping in the winter cold.

Got up before dawn and after the short drive down the hill met Michael at Wombeyan Caves. Can recommend the route via Goulburn and Taralga – further but very much straighter. Michael had set controls off the map and had a route in mind for me. It looked longish and I managed to give one checkpoint back to him. I drove out and left the car on a fire trail. Ten minutes later I was in the heart of some unfriendly bush, had one wet foot from a misdirected creek crossing and the wind seemed to be mounting. I moved the first control from a watercourse junction that was too obscure to a better spot. Then taking a line along spurs the ground opened up and I started enjoying myself despite gusty conditions. A powerline clearing provided a handline for a while and then I continued my route via a steep gully crossing which took time.

Setting takes more time than rogaining because location needs to be double checked and best spots for controls found. Time passed and it was well after lunch time when got to the far point of my loop which was also the high point at almost 1000 metres. I had to drop two controls and start high tailing it back setting three more controls along the way. I did have a torch but being out in the dark alone did not appeal. The navigation was engrossing but by this stage I was well in tune with the map and lost no more time. An unmarked fire trail saved some time but I was still an hour overdue when I emerged back onto the road just as dusk was falling to meet a relieved Michael. Back at Wombeyan Caves the area was swarming with scouts well kitted out for the cold and having a great time. My day in the bush had set a humble total of eight controls. Plenty of more work to do for Michael and his team. I’m looking forward to putting in two more days to hang the flags.

For those with long rogaine memories think back to the Mt Werong event and another the Jaunter Saunter. Up on the Great Divide its big rugged country where there’s huge space and great conditions for navigation. Where I was course setting the bush was reasonably open with some fallen timber to get around.

I can recommend October 6/7 for either the 24 hour event or the 15 in 24. Also if you can take an extra day do so and visit the caves which are managed by National Parks and are excellent.

Julian Ledger