260 replies to this topic

[sandeater]

Disco Dave, on Jan 7 2009, 11:56 AM, said:

Hi Sandeater,

I was just in Paddy Pallin in Hawthorn (735 Glenferrie Rd) and they had 2 copies of the map left (one left now as I got one )

See you there Saturday night

- Dave

Can you believe it - I just rang Paddy Pallin's and it was sold a few minutes ago! Still on the hunt.

[sandeater]

spoonman, on Jan 7 2009, 12:08 PM, said:

MapLand (previously in Lt Bourke) has moved Bentleigh.  There is also Melb Map Centre in Malvern East.  Most stores of the Anaconda and Paddy Pallin chains stock topographic maps, but I think others such as Snowgum, Kathmandu and Mountain Designs no longer do.  Rays Outdoors stock maps, but only the outdoor leisure ones, not the new topographics.  A couple of the stores in Lt Bourke stock some popular topographic maps, i.e. Bogong Equipment does (i think or is it the place next door?).

If you are really stuck we will have some available for purchase at the check in on Saturday, however please try to get one before hand.  We'll only have a few and won't cope with a rush of everyone wanting one then.

Thanks Spoonman. I have rung the Melb Map Centre and they have it. I went into Bogong's and they did not have it - nor did a single store in Little Burke! I miss having MapLand in the city. See you Saturday.

[pbig]

Quote

the 7 day forecast shows we will have a sunny and relatively warm day on Sunday - not too warm in the mountains, but I'd be happier with some cloud cover

Latest forecast for Sunday: "storms and shower or two", temp still same (max 19C Falls Creek). Thank you weather gods, I think , but I expect it will change a few more times before Sunday....

[EXE]

ParksKev, thanks very much for your super track maintenance work.  "ParksAndy" did a great job clearing the tracks for the Feathertop SkyRun back in December and then "set it on fire" with a sizzling race victory.  You sure you're not just doing Sekret training?

Terrific to see Parks Victoria being so responsive and in touch with the general community, albeit a small and crazy subset.


EXE

[Hamburglar]

sandeater, on Jan 6 2009, 08:05 PM, said:

I do have one question - where can I get the Vicmap Topographic Hardcopy
1:50 000 Falls Creek Map (code 8324-S)? I went to the trusty map shop in town (Melbourne) today and it has closed down. And none of the camping places in Little Bourke had it.

I have a topo map for Falls Creek, however I thought if you didn't, then the map on the website would be sufficient? Is this not right?

[Pasty]

Hamburglar, on Jan 7 2009, 01:05 PM, said:

I have a topo map for Falls Creek, however I thought if you didn't, then the map on the website would be sufficient? Is this not right?

The maps on the website should be fine.

[spoonman]

We'd really prefer runners to have proper maps.  There are copyright issues with the ones on the website and they are really provided for information purposes, rather than for use during the run.

[spoonman]

I was just at a Aussie Disposals at the Glen and they had two.  Emphasis on had - I bought those, but chances are other Aussie Disposals will have some.

[pbig]

Quote

There are copyright issues with the ones on the website

... maybe that's why Adobe Reader crashes whenever I attempt to print them! [I do have the original Outdoor Leisure Series map, it just doesn't have the course marked on it.]

[RMC]

For those of you who thought you were FAST at getting to the top of Mt Bogong. I found the 1987 Bogong to Hotham race report here. Robin Rishworth got to the Bogong summit in [58 mins] ! 16 started the race with only 3 finishing at Mt Hotham.

[spoonman]

pbig, on Jan 7 2009, 02:10 PM, said:

... maybe that's why Adobe Reader crashes whenever I attempt to print them! [I do have the original Outdoor Leisure Series map, it just doesn't have the course marked on it.]

Peter, I can bring a highlighter to the briefing if you want.  

[Pasty]

spoonman, on Jan 7 2009, 01:48 PM, said:

We'd really prefer runners to have proper maps.  There are copyright issues with the ones on the website and they are really provided for information purposes, rather than for use during the run.

OK, didn't realise that.  
Given that the best map is out of print, I reckon you should look at printing your own specific maps next year (like rogaining does).

[Whippet Man]

RMC, on Jan 7 2009, 02:34 PM, said:

For those of you who thought you were FAST at getting to the top of Mt Bogong. I found the 1987 Bogong to Hotham race report here. Robin Rishworth got to the Bogong summit in [58 mins] ! 16 started the race with only 3 finishing at Mt Hotham.

And that would have been a 5 hr cut at Watchbed Ck.  

I noticed Lebusq won.

[Cl@rkey]

Do any of our historians know what time these guys ran a road marathon?? (if at all) Or were they just very talented mountain goats?

Dig deeper for the 1985 report to read about the 6h58m finishing time!!!

[Ultraphil]

Thanks RMC for the link back to my site. I'm glad that it's serving a useful purpose.  There's a lot more stuff yet to be scanned and put on the site for Bogong and vaqrious other Australian races.

Phil

[spoonman]

pastyboy, on Jan 7 2009, 03:07 PM, said:

OK, didn't realise that.  
Given that the best map is out of print, I reckon you should look at printing your own specific maps next year (like rogaining does).

Funny you should suggest that pasty.  As there are no plans to produce an equivalent map to the Bogong Alpine Areas map despite the repeated requests of users of the area (ask the map shop owners how often they are asked for the a new version of that map, and how frequently they pass that feedback on!) we have looked at producing a custom map of the course which we could on sell as part of entry.  I didn't manage to get time to organise that this year, but it will definitely be there next year.

[RMC]

Clarkey of CP, on Jan 7 2009, 02:55 PM, said:

Do any of our historians know what time these guys ran a road marathon?? (if at all) Or were they just very talented mountain goats?

Dig deeper for the 1985 report to read about the 6h58m finishing time!!!

I'm pretty sure Robin has done a sub 2.40 marathon back in the late 80's. I have a tape of the budget Melb marathon (1988 I think) where he was leading after 5k into a strong headwind and Trevor Vincent gave some info on him. Must dig it out again.

As far as the 1985 bogong race report goes and the 6.58, who did that?

Andy Kromar's 6.41 in the 1996 bogong-hotham, with a 3.41 to Langford Gap is something special !

[EXE]

The 2008 B2H results suggest that Andy Kromar hit the summit in 6:48am and was given a 1:48 split on the assumtion that he departed Mountain Creek at 5:00am.  I know that he started well after 5:00am as he passed me like a bullet before the tree line XC ski bounding with poles flashing.  Can you provide some insight on his real start time Spoonman?

In 2007 Chloe (my daughter) and I did (read, were done by) the Bright Alpine Climb (Four Peaks).  There was an event dinner on the first night and we found myself sitting next to two "veterans".  They turned out to be Robin Rishworth and Peter Lebusque.  For me, being new to this caper, it was a very interesting night.  Robin is still very competitive being well placed in last years 4 Peaks and a remarkable 3rd overall in the 30k NSW Snowy Mountains XC Ski-ing Classic just on place behind Tom Landon-Smith (AROC).  BTW - Robin publishes the Outdoor Leisure Series maps.

Three and a half more sleeps  

EXE

[Cl@rkey]

RMC, on Jan 7 2009, 04:28 PM, said:

As far as the 1985 bogong race report goes and the 6.58, who did that?

Neil Hooper. Details here.


Those guys were all machines!!

[Pasty]

Spoonman,

Happy to assist with the map stuff for you next year, as I also have the June rogaine maps to do also.

[spoonman]

pastyboy, on Jan 8 2009, 09:50 AM, said:

Spoonman, Happy to assist with the map stuff for you next year, as I also have the June rogaine maps to do also.

Can you do my April rogaine maps instead   Barmah has absolutely no contours.  No kidding, there is only 6 metres difference between lowest and highest point - and that is all due to one large sandhill.  The mapping of the tracks and vegetation are going to be so important.  I was thinking of enlisting Pipi.  His Bendalong map from last year was the best map ever.  

The rogaining maps actually make the Bogong to Hotham one seem easy.  I probably wasn't clear enough previously, but you can actually now purchase custom map sheets of the area you want in 1:30,000 scale.  These are all based on the exact same data used to produce the new printed maps you buy in stores - though often on more up to date data.  This is the reason why the new map series are called the Hardcopy Topographics.  Vicmap are moving toward data provisioning and online delivery of maps, and away from printed medium.  They are starting to leave the printed work to companies like Spatial Vision and Rooftop, who provided more valued added products than just strictly topographical information on a big sheet of paper.  This is one of the reasons why the Bogong Alpine Areas wasn't continued.  These companies simply licence the same information from the DSE.

So basically we are looking to buy maps of custom areas for the run.  Probably four A4 sheets which will produce high quality prints of, with the maps back to back (so two pieces of paper, or potentially one A3 sheet with four sections on it).  We would then on sell these to runners.

[spoonman]

I had forgotten about the Information Victoria Bookshop (mostly because they moved, then I stopped working in the city).  They sell maps and will most likely have the Falls Creek map.  With Map Land moving and the outdoors stores not having any, they are the only place in Melbourne City that you could get one.

[spoonman]

I have just spoken with Mike who is currently out in the area marking the course and doing water drops.  Given the current forecast, at this stage he has stated that we will need to use the 'Full Kit'.  This means you will need to carry the following at a minimum:

Waterproof jacket with hood
Long sleeve thermal top
Thermal long johns or tights
Warm beanie
Gloves
Map (VicMap 1:50,000 Outdoor Leisure Map Bogong Alpine Area or equivalent) and course notes in waterproof bag
Compass
Whistle
Space type emergency bag (eg., Coghlans All Weather Emergency Bag No 9815 - Kathmandu also makes and sells one)
Cigarette lighter or waterproof matches
Elastic bandage for snake bite
Epirb is optional (for absolute emergency use only)
Torch (for runners starting at 5:00 am only)
3000 kilojoules emergency food

This is not to say that this will not change if the forecast changes (and really that only needs to be by a degree or two, a millimetre or two less rain, and a few percent less chance of rain), but at this stage we will be using the Full Kit.  Details of the weather forecasts for the area are available from the links below.

http://www.weatherzo...eas/falls-creek
http://www.weatherzo...as/mount-hotham
http://www.weatherzo...ortheast/bright
http://www.weatherzo...au/synoptic.jsp

[Cl@rkey]

pbig, on Jan 6 2009, 10:20 AM, said:

, but I'd be happier with some cloud cover.

I'm blaming you pbig

But seriously I hope you don't get wet on the bike, that's never fun.....

[milov]

Have a good one B2H runners1

I hope the weather is kind to you.
I hope your achilles tendons forgive you for what you are about to put them through.
May your backpacks not chafe
May your gaiters protect you from annoying pebbles
I hope you don't step in brumby poo
I hope you don't get eaten alive by flies at pole 333

It's a shame that this event clashed with another

otherwise I too would be there to join in the fun

milov

[Brick]

milov, on Jan 9 2009, 05:22 AM, said:

Have a good one B2H runners1

I hope the weather is kind to you.
I hope your achilles tendons forgive you for what you are about to put them through.
May your backpacks not chafe
May your gaiters protect you from annoying pebbles
I hope you don't step in brumby poo
I hope you don't get eaten alive by flies at pole 333

It's a shame that this event clashed with another

otherwise I too would be there to join in the fun

milov

Ditto for me, if the family and bank would allow.

Brick

[jeckyl]

Good luck  every one ,
especially first timers , sorry can't join the fun this round, though this event would  be considered by the ultra community as a annual  Favorite for the varied of tracks & obstacles . A fully exhilarating experience this one!!
The feeling once reached at Langfords Gap for a short break ( watch the time though;  the cut off to continue is at the next marshall point Omeo  Rd),  is one of achievement . Weather on the day looks tip top

[RunBare]

If anyone is still having trouble getting a map for the run, Snowgum in Wodonga (on your way through to Bogong) has a few.  

They close at 12 on Saturday though.  If anyone needs me to pick one up for them today or tomorrow morning, let me know.  I can bring them to the registration for you on Saturday evening.

I think they are about $10 each.

[tim]

if it is cold and rainy I am staying in the pub.

oh is there an early opener in town?

[Geej]

Quote

RunBare Posted 41 minutes ago
  If anyone is still having trouble getting a map for the run, Snowgum in Wodonga (on your way through to Bogong) has a few.

They close at 12 on Saturday though. If anyone needs me to pick one up for them today or tomorrow morning, let me know. I can bring them to the registration for you on Saturday evening.

I think they are about $10 each.

Hi RunBare,
Would you mind grabbing me a copy if your going through there - I won't be able to make it there prior to midday
Would be a great help.  I'll just fix you up at briefing.

Cheers

Geej (Jon)

[spoonman]

tim, on Jan 9 2009, 11:01 AM, said:

if it is cold and rainy I am staying in the pub.

oh is there an early opener in town?

i'm doing the water drops tomorrow, do you want a six pack at Ropers?

[tim]

spoonman, on Jan 9 2009, 12:10 PM, said:

i'm doing the water drops tomorrow, do you want a six pack at Ropers?

that would be lovely.

and whippet said you were not a top bloke!

[Eagle]

Brick, on Jan 9 2009, 07:40 AM, said:

Ditto for me, if the family and bank would allow.

Brick

I would love to experince this one year but not this time.

Same for me and add Canberra Marathon preparation.

Good luck to all the starters.

Edited by Eagle, 09 January 2009 - 11:27 AM.

[pbig]

Clarkey of CP, on Jan 8 2009, 10:15 PM, said:

I'm blaming you pbig

But seriously I hope you don't get wet on the bike, that's never fun.....

Thanks Clarkey! I'm happy for some cloud cover, but not about the full kit , and hoping for a revision - for Alpine area, the forecast actually looks quite ok/mild to me. Temp hasn't really changed (max 16-17) just the possibility of a few showers and thunderstorms. Should be fine on the bike, not constant rain, and gear keeps me pretty dry - just a little less enjoyment to be had on the windy roads .

And thanks for the reminders Milov.....

I hope the weather is kind to you.
- looks ok so far.
I hope your achilles tendons forgive you for what you are about to put them through.
- expecting some pain and retribution in this regard.
May your backpacks not chafe
- must remember (to apply!) the SportShield.
May your gaiters protect you from annoying pebbles
- must dig them out from the bottom of the running drawer.
I hope you don't step in brumby poo
- could be much worse!
I hope you don't get eaten alive by flies at pole 333
- must find that face net I used at B2H 2006, it was a godsend on the high plains!

cheers, pbig.

[spoonman]

tim, on Jan 9 2009, 12:13 PM, said:

and whippet said you were not a top bloke!

whippet said that?  

[Paul Every]

Have fun out there all.

Few races match B2H for toughness and beauty. Enjoy every moment. Even the one's that hurt.

[Whippet Man]

tim, on Jan 9 2009, 12:13 PM, said:

that would be lovely.

and whippet said you were not a top bloke!

That's it. I'm going to drink them all before you get there!

That's if I get there of course.  

[spoonman]

I'm heading off now and will be out in the field most of tomorrow.  If you need me between now and the briefing please call 0402 852 566.  Otherwise, get a good sleep and i'll see you tomorrow night!

[seris]

Tim, Whippet (edit!! AND SPUD!!) and Runbare, have a great time this weekend. I also would be there if not for a more geographically convenient run. Hope it's enjoyable. Will be thinking of you.
Go DOGGY

Edited by seris, 10 January 2009 - 08:47 AM.

[ParksKev]

Hi All,
just to let you know that one of our crew has done a fantastic job, with the aid of an offsider, and has cleared the whole section from Ropers hut to Cleve Cole (Duane Spur - T-spur).  Fairly big effort, and all completed in one day!  Great job Andy, thanks for that...

So should be all good for the weekend.

Have a great run all, and I may see you Sunday arvo, as I will try to drift out to Mtn Ceek and say hello.

Seeya

Kev

[Spud]

You guys are legends.
Thanks Kev et al.

Looking forward to more high country, see you all tomorrow.

[AngelicOne]

To all who are contesting this event, I wish you good luck and have a top time.

Awesome effort Paul with the organisation of it all ...

[Whippet Man]

seris, on Jan 9 2009, 08:23 PM, said:

Tim, Whippet (edit!! AND SPUD!!) and Runbare, have a great time this weekend. I also would be there if not for a more geographically convenient run. Hope it's enjoyable. Will be thinking of you.

Thanks Seris. You don't know what you're missing.

Spoonie and Mike, love your work. Thanks Parks guys.

Off early on the morrow.  

[RunBare]

Geej, on Jan 9 2009, 11:38 AM, said:

Hi RunBare,
Would you mind grabbing me a copy if your going through there - I won't be able to make it there prior to midday
Would be a great help.  I'll just fix you up at briefing.

Cheers

Geej (Jon)

I live here, so no worries. I'll go and grab a map tomorrow and bring it along.

Thanks seris, and you should be here

On a side note... slightly excited and nervous about running (SLOWLY) up a couple of freakin huge mountains.

Edited by RunBare, 09 January 2009 - 10:29 PM.

[blair]

Good luck guys. With a little bit of luck I'll be joining you next year

[JustinS007]

ParksKev, on Jan 9 2009, 09:06 PM, said:

Hi All,
just to let you know that one of our crew has done a fantastic job, with the aid of an offsider, and has cleared the whole section from Ropers hut to Cleve Cole (Duane Spur - T-spur).  Fairly big effort, and all completed in one day!  Great job Andy, thanks for that...

Heck, that IS a big effort.  There were an awful lot of very large trees down across those tracks.

If you want to see the field in good condition then you need to be at the Mountain Creek Picnic Ground prior to the start times from 5am onwards.  Main field leaves at 6:15.  

somehat less fresh looking athletes then reach Langfords Gap from about 10:15am for the fast runners,

with dejected, sore, ugly looking people starting to reach Hotham Summit sometime about 1:45pm.

J.

[MissZ]

Good luck guys and gals, this looks like a really special event. I look forward to reading the reports.

[farmboy]

Thanks Parkkev for organising the clearing, I'm sure I will need all the help I can get to finish.  ignorance is bliss as I'm really looking forward to this.

[lebusqp]

From 1985. Neil was a phenomenal mountain runner/rogainer/orienteer. He won the Mt Beauty rd marathon, a tough one in 2.30 something. He also had the Conquestathon record for a long time -1h 50ish I think. Also won 4Peaks several times and was Victorian/Australian Rogaining champion, I think more than once. Last time I spoke to him he was retired from racing because he wasn't as fit as he wanted to be. At the time he was coming down Hotham having done a circuit over Feathertop. Clearly very unfit
Robin Rishworth. Robin has numerous 4Peaks victories, held most of the records until Paul Crake came along. He also won the Empire State run-up. I think he may have a rogaining title as well. Prodigious running talent as a youngster but focused on the bush and hills. Has also ridden the bike across the Canning Stock Route. I think he did run a marathon in around 2.40, having gone out at 2.20 pace. That's very much Robin. He was slowed by achilles injuries and run ins with the law, including several periods in prison.
Alan Davis was a very good downhill runner and also won rogaining titles. Can't imagine Alan would have run much under 3hrs for a marathon. Still takes his tree trunk legs up the 4Peaks and rogaining.
Jim Ingham was a sub 3hr marathoner. Steve Miller was pretty quick on the roads, 33min for 10k at least. I think mostly into orienteering.
Julian van L. I have no idea about him but he liked B2H.
From 87. Me, well I ran a 2.43 marathon and 33m for 10k. A few placings at 4Peaks.
Peter Armistead has a marathon pb of something like 2.22 but I think that was much earlier than 87.

[undercover brother]

for those mellum fans out thre...
tim whippet and spud all passed thru langfords ok.
mr g apparently a dns