NOTE: MCBQ event participants are advised to check carefully for ticks (of all sizes, including super small).
Course results can be seen below.
Splits are available on
Attackpoint
or Winsplits.
To enter your routes and see how others went, head to
RouteGadget. Another option for route analysis is LiveLox; an explanation is
here, and today's event is
here.
It was a beautiful day for orienteering at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Drop Zone (DZ)
Cockatoo today. There were 81 starts by 93 people who enjoyed a full set of classic
orienteering courses designed and set by Charles Carrick. The greatest challenge for
many was the vegetation, which by this time of year is in full growth. These conditions
slowed travel through the wooded areas and made it difficult to see the controls until the
competitor was right on top of them. We heard many comments recommending moving
this meet earlier in the year and will consider them during scheduling for the future.
Many thanks to all the volunteers who made the meet possible. John Organek manned
the Visitor Control Center, helping facilitate what is often the most frustrating challenge
of any meet on the Marine Base – getting participants cleared through security (things
went smoothly there this year, in spite of the fact that a couple other large groups were
there getting access at the same time). Justin and Lexie Brown and Mary Snieckus
assisted me with setup, as well as helping Amy set up the e-punch and timing. Don Fish
did yeoman’s work as the parking guide. Ginny Quam and Charles Carrick provided
beginner instruction for a number of first time orienteerers, including a sizable group of
Boy Scouts. Harry Jones did his usual outstanding job at registration, working a double
shift to get everyone checked in with waivers signed! Gary Quam assisted with keeping
everything running smoothly as well. Control pickers today were Aaron Linville, Mike
McDonald, John Baker, John Organek, Dave Onkst, Charles Carrick, and (for the first
time) the medical support personnel (see below).
Of course, I cannot say enough about the outstanding job that Amy Louden and Valerie
Meyer did at e-punch and timing (including, of course, Amy’s Amazing Cookies). Valerie
also prints and packages all the maps and provides the clue sheets. They are truly the
linchpin of the operation.
A huge thanks to the Dumfries-Triangle Volunteer Fire Department for providing medical
support for the meet. They really came out in force today with four vehicles and six
personnel. Fortunately, their medical services were not required, but they did use their
four-wheeler to pick up the controls in the open area within DZ Cockatoo (a first use of
their support for this purpose, as far as I know).
- Bill Wright, Event Director
