THOMASS Caledon, Sunday, January 17

Forks of the Credit Provincial Park, just north of Belfountain, near the Caledon Ski Club

***Update on snow conditions as of Sat. morning, Jan. 16.  Best racing conditions we've seen in all our visits to the course!  One course setter wore shoes today and the other wore snowshoes with cleats.  Both were happy with their choice.  Probably most people will be happy in spiked shoes.  Trails are hard packed but it helps to have traction on the climbs.  Off-trail, snow depth is variable and gets up to mid-calf in depth.  We still recommend spikes, snowshoes with cleats or trekking poles to descend the escarpment, but most handicaps will be able to use a trail in the steepest section if they choose.  (Still a good slope on it though.)  See you there! ***

Mapquest – Take Charleston Sideroad west from Caledon village (Hwy 10 and Charleston), then south on McLaren Rd.  Alternatively, you could come up McLaren Rd. from the south, but it may be slower depending on where you come from. 

Meet at McLaren Rd. parking lot – please bring loonies and toonies for the Provincial Parks ticket machine – $3 per vehicle for 2 hrs, $5 for 4 hrs.  Carpool if you can.

9:00-9:45 a.m. Check-in.  Please register in advance to reserve a map.  We will be able to accept a few race day registrations at $20/person + $2 for SI rental if needed.

ONLINE REGISTRATION  $15 Adult, $7.50 Junior, Free for 2010 members of the Caledon Navigators.  Become a Member.  Racers will be given up to 3 tickets in our prize draw if they show the registration volunteer that they brought their own:  (1) Map case, (2) Reusable Mug for post-race drinks, (3) Bowl and spoon for chili.  Don't worry if you forget – we have it all if you need it.  We're just trying to be kind to the environment!

9:55 a.m.  Leave for Remote Race Start.  Please arrive in plenty of time for the walk to the start.

Maximum time limit is 2 hours from the race start.  All participants must return to the parking lot by that time or else the organizers will need to start planning a search – and we would much rather be in our comfy down jackets drinking hot chocolate and eating chili with everyone else! 

Salomon and The Shed Coffee Bar have generously donated prizes to our event.  Thank you so much for your support!

On the way home, head 5 minutes south on McLaren Rd and turn right (west) to enter the charming and scenic village of Belfountain.  At the main intersection, stop at The Shed Coffee Bar and show your orienteering map to the barista to get 50% off any beverage.  This special discount is available on Jan. 17 only, so be sure to stop by!  The Shed serves delicious cappucino, chai latte, chocolate zucchini loaf, hearty soup and much more.

Details

It's time for the Caledon Navigators' annual winter orienteering race!  Come play in our powder snow as you use map and compass to explore the terrain along the edge of the beautiful Niagara Escarpment, then stick around to chat with new and old friends while enjoying delicious vegetarian chili and Fiddleheads famous brownies. 

For those not familiar with the Thomass format, it is an age-gender handicapped race where elite racers do a longer version of the course than their kids and parents.  (For more info on handicaps, see the bottom of this race notice.)  Anyone can win a Thomass race if they have a good day!  We will also offer a score-O Novice training course for families.  Participants are welcome to navigate part of the Thomass course, then return to the finish line.  Most people will be racing, but it's OK to treat it as a recreational outing.

Longtime adventure racer Pete Cameron has designed this year's challenging race course, and Barb Campbell is the race director. 

The terrain close to the parking lot is rolling, mostly open moraine with low hills, large depressions and small kettle lakes.  Farther on, you'll reach a steep, interesting, forested slope – the Niagara Escarpment – which wraps all around the west side of the map. 

In order to give every handicap level a glimpse of the best features of the Park, this Thomass will be a little longer than usual, with an estimated winning time of 55-60 minutes, depending on snow conditions.  Time limit is 2 hours from the race start – please be back at the parking lot by then or we shall be forced to worry about you.  Even worse, we might eat all the brownies.

We traditionally get a good snowfall a few days before Thomass Caledon, and people who are comfortable in snowshoes will likely want to use them.  Please note that the escarpment is only cliffy in a few places in the park, but it is a steep, treed hillside elsewhere, and we strongly recommend that you use spiked shoes, trekking poles or snowshoes with cleats.  Elites and low handicappers will spend more time travelling through steep terrain.  There are a few easier trail routes down the steep hillside, and if conditions are slippery, you will want to consider them.  Course testers descended the slope using a combination of the time-honoured techniques of trails (where practical), tree grabbing, foot skiing and even a little bit of bum tobogganing.

Please stick around afterward for homemade goodies and conversation.  Compare your route with your friends – the testers tell us that it wasn't obvious which Box controls to drop.  To reduce waste, please consider bringing your own reusable cup – and a bowl and spoon for chili, if you really want to be green!

Please register online to reserve a map.  We'll have a small number of maps available on race day for $20/person + $2 for SI rental.  Advance registration is available until midnight on Fri. Jan. 15 at $15/adult, $7.50/child.  Free for 2010 members of the Caledon Navigators.

ONLINE REGISTRATION  - See below for a definition of Thomass handicaps

CONFIRMED REGISTRATION LIST

THOMASS Handicap points are awarded based on age/gender.  As this is part of the 2009/2010 THOMASS Series, please use your age on Dec. 31, 2010.

Our next training session will be hosted by Richard Ehrlich next Sunday, Dec. 13 at the Palgrave Forest & Wildlife Area.  We will be meeting in the Duffy's Lane parking lot between 9:00 and 9:30 am.
 
The theme is finding flags using a map that shows only contour lines.
Estimated training session time 60 to 90 minutes (course will close at 11:30am)
If you feel unsure of your navigating abilities feel free to double up with other club members (remember these training events are free to all members).
 
Please e-mail Christine Wallace before next weekend if you plan to attend so there are enough maps for everyone. We will print a few extras just in case.
 

Thank-you to all who attended the MTB-O training night. It was a beautiful night to be out riding and an even better night to be orienteering. We had a healthy bon fire, yummy smores, jiffy pop and great company. A fun night to kick off the fall orienteering season.

Time to start thinking ahead to the finale of the 2008/09 adventure running season!  The Salomon Dontgetlost.ca adventure runs are popular with Caledon Navigators, who have had some great results.  In this event, teams of three will navigate through the rocky terrain around Milton for 10K or 25K.  The 10K event is suitable for novice to intermediate navigators, or those who are looking for a shorter run.  The 25K event suits intermediate to advanced navigators or those who want a longer run.  Remember that all three of you can navigate – or else you can appoint one person to be your navigator.  Preliminary Details Available Here.