228 replies to this topic

[Rico]

ugh I am a few minutes away from driving out from Canberra with a couple of others.  Is there a risk of it not being on?  I guess even so we won't know until tomorrow morning.

Edited by Rico, 06 February 2010 - 10:49 AM.

[Brick]

Hallac, on Feb 6 2010, 08:53 AM, said:

Brick - do you still need a lift?

If so - when and where?

Ponkey has already offered me a lift.
Thank you very much for the offfer.

See you at the tree or Megalong rd.
Please make sure you say hi, always nice to meet new Coolrunners.

Cheers
Brick

[Koala1]

Rico - sorry have no info on what you ask really, but its a fatass run, so where there is a will, there is a way.  You might just need to adapt what you run, but there will be people there somewhere.

Rain is just misty up here now (big improvement on yesterday)

[runhard]

Is the start easy to find for mega mega?  From the map on Fatass it looks like you just drive down megalong road until you hit an open spot.  is this correct?

[Rico]

That's good enough for me.  See you all there.

[Jogger]

the start at megalong rd is not at the end of the road, but the run crosses it and there is parking on both sides. its fairly obvious.

The ford creek is approx 200m back along the road. suggest if flooded park back along the road and find alternate route ie bush bash a bit. I will try to get there early to work out a backup plan depending on conditions. unfortunately can change overnight.

[Bandanna]

runhard, on Feb 6 2010, 12:02 PM, said:

Is the start easy to find for mega mega?  From the map on Fatass it looks like you just drive down megalong road until you hit an open spot.  is this correct?

Just before the sealed road becomes a gravel road. You'll see cars parked of course. Unless you are the first one there  

Ford Creek bridge is a few hundred meters before the start.

[Colin]

JoggerK, on Feb 6 2010, 12:18 PM, said:

The ford creek is approx 200m back along the road. suggest if flooded park back along the road and find alternate route ie bush bash a bit. I will try to get there early to work out a backup plan depending on conditions. unfortunately can change overnight.

Is it still possible to cross the creek at some point if impassable to cars?

btw...for qualifiers,...if we do an alternate eg..Tree to Mini etc, I will try to come up with a 'target' after consulting a few knowledgeable brethren.

Don't worry, be there and make the attempt.

Edited by Colin, 06 February 2010 - 11:42 AM.

[Jogger]

Quote

Is it still possible to cross the creek at some point if impassable to cars?

this is what I am thinking. cross the creek and walk to the start.

[runhard]

Thanks Bandanna and JokkerK.  Dont think I will be first there but I do like to try and be early.

I note a few are saying they will be starting at 'The Tree'  Is this the start of the 6foot track?  if not where is it and how much does it add?  

Note: I will be happy just to start with everyone else.  just was curious.  

RH

[MQ]

I was there yesterday and met the Red belly black snake Beaver had warned me of - he lives on the track to Coxes, between two creeks that cross the track.

Watch out for him, he likes to sit on the track and gave me a bit of a fright!

I have officially exceeded the use of the word "track" for one posting.

[Jogger]

the tree is at the start of the track, close to katoomba, its 8km but approx 40-60mins run. each way.

I will be bringing lots of FREE maps of the route, colour, so then all can share in the mysteries of all these names and locations.

[Colin]

Update from Randy (NRG)

"Tough but passable"
"Coxes to high to cross..used bridge"

They ran tree to Mini

[Zachany]

As a first timer to pretty much any trail running...

Will some sort of final update be posted here, or somewhere as to what will be happening tomorrow morning...? Start, route etc? I am qualified for six foot track but my friend needs this to qualify...

[Martin Dugdale]

JoggerK, on Feb 6 2010, 01:18 PM, said:

the tree is at the start of the track, close to katoomba, its 8km but approx 40-60mins run. each way.

I will be bringing lots of FREE maps of the route, colour, so then all can share in the mysteries of all these names and locations.

Ah glory days, from the road ,back up nellies glen to the tree in 40 minutes . thats after ascending mini mini and coming up from the river. umm

[Spud]

Martin Dugdale, on Feb 6 2010, 02:30 PM, said:

Ah glory days, from the road ,back up nellies glen to the tree in 40 minutes . thats after ascending mini mini and coming up from the river. umm

40 mins from the road back to the tree...think not. Reverse direction yep.

[Martin Dugdale]

Spud, on Feb 6 2010, 02:43 PM, said:

40 mins from the road back to the tree...think not. Reverse direction yep.

I think my best split is 50/90 but that was just to the river and back, and I seem to remember you passing me on the return

[Colin]

Ford Creek was ok at 9am.. according to Randy

Cox's a a rolling mass of brown water...should be down tomorrow.

[Jogger]

Quote

Will some sort of final update be posted here, or somewhere as to what will be happening tomorrow morning...? Start, route etc?

THIS THREAD WILL BE THE PLACE TO SEE ANY LAST MINUTE UPDATES.
Don't expect any updates after midnight.

However Start is 7am from as close to the start on Megalong Rd as possible.
route is as advertised - to Pluviometer & return.
website:
http://www.coolrunni...e=Megalong_Mega

[scurry711]

Colin, on Feb 6 2010, 12:17 AM, said:

Ford Creek was ok at 9am.. according to Randy

Cox's a a rolling mass of brown water...should be down tomorrow.

Only if the rain stops which at the moment in the mountains has not. I would expect it to be up.

Edited by scurry711, 06 February 2010 - 06:19 PM.

[superflake]

For anyone who doesn't know the start area there is a bush toilet on the LHS of the road and a camp area just before you have to cross the ford that JoggerK has referred to.
Sometimes has toilet paper, but don't bet on it. Otherwise hold on until Coxs River camp ground which maybe the same with no paper.

So grab a roll from your house before you leave home.

Have fun on the track.

[D8888]

JUst got back from the megalong mega... ran it today (started from explorers tree)

Ok here is what I can tell you:

Megalong Mega Course
1. Water over the old ford at Megalong Rd (just at the start - we were unable to cross at 7:30am this morning but by 10am - I am told... cars did cross)
2. It was fine down to Cox's Rivers
3. Forget crossing the Cox's River (Tall Geoff tried and got about 1/3rd of the way before turning back... it is pretty dangerous and very very deep - taller than Geoff)
4. We used the swing bridge... 1 at a time (the sign says)
5. Crossed 7 creeks (rivers!!!) on the way up to Pluvi (it was up to waste height in one creek... the rest knee deep)
6. A few extra boulders on the course (yep the high side banks were a bit understable ) - mainly at the bottom of mini mini
7. A bit "muddy" on the way up to Pluvi - watch your step (especially on the clay soil)
8. Rainwater tank at Cox's River was full ... but you would expect that

Last year I ran the course just over 4 hours... this year nearly 5 hours... mainly due to being careful around the creeks (rivers!) and watching my step on the way down...

Awesome awesome run... the view from the swing bridge is magic!

Nellys Glen to Megalonmg Road (took me over 1.5hours !!!!!)
1. be very very careful
2. It is slippery
3. the stairs in a few places were like a creek (river - knee deep)
4. tree over one point.. but we tried to remove most of it
5. be careful crossing the creek to Megalong Road... it was waste deep and flowing fairly strongly.

Please use common sense tomorrow.... the run will be slower so just enjoy it... especially the swing bridge

Good luck

Edited by D8888, 06 February 2010 - 06:44 PM.

[Mister G]

Coxs River depth chart....

[Jogger]

Quote

Rainfall is expected to ease overnight on Saturday, but there is a concern that more thunderstorms will return on Sunday, bringing a lot of moisture and moderate to heavy rainfalls across the state," a BoM spokesman said on Saturday.

[D8888]

Mister G, on Feb 6 2010, 07:37 PM, said:

Coxs River depth chart....

Is that the little white box just as you go over the cattle grid (2nd) near the start of Megalong Mega???  (Mr G... what I was asking is that the chart is representative of the Cox's Rver some 6-7km away from where we cross)

Edited by D8888, 06 February 2010 - 07:31 PM.

[Mister G]

Huh?

[Colin]

Re the unqualified...people were warned not to leave it to the last possible qualifier in the event of illness, being away due to work etc and in the event that the course is not runnable.

That's the main reason my 'training partner' did BTBS despite being nowhere near ready for it at the time.

There are a few Comrades entrants who have flights/accom booked and were depending on Canberra as a qualifier before deadline of 26th April...and are now in limbo.

Won't be an issue next year because the fat asses won't be qualifiers.

[D8888]

Colin, on Feb 6 2010, 07:59 PM, said:

Won't be an issue next year because the fat asses won't be qualifiers.

Wow... Colin... is this set in stone?

[Koala1]

OK - being a Blackheath local I can provide an update on weather conditions..  The last couple of days the rain has been VERY heavy.  Today it wasn't quite as bad, but it has rained steadily all day, been quite misty too and is still currently raining.  The forecast is for more rain tomorrow too  

With the nature of Fatass runs, its really each persons choice whether to run this or not, but as a mountains local, I have decided that it makes more sense to run a different run tomorrow and will run MM another weekend.

Stay safe if you decide to go out - but for us, we are thinking of more than just the run - i.e. the logistics of the rivers en route to the start and their unpredictable levels.

Good luck with your decisions and have fun whatever you decide to do.
K1

[Hallac]

Disappointing though it is, I think the latest reports mean I'll leave it for another day!

All the best to those still hardy (stupid ) enough to do it.

Andy

[Colin]

D8888, on Feb 6 2010, 08:34 PM, said:

Wow... Colin... is this set in stone?

Definitely...the entry criteria needs a revamp in light of demand etc plus the fat asses now needs a scrutiny that the waitlisters and others who missed out expect...I'm not the person to do that scrutiny..eg, tomorrow I will have to take people at their word etc, and that my not be acceptable to those on waitlist that are fair dinkum qualified.
Can't enforce it retrospectively of course.

However, as for deciding to run it or not...that's the qualifier's choice..you fate is taken out of your hands when you leave it for the very last.

In the event that we don't start at Megalong there will be a rough equiv target. There has to be an attempt to qualify at least, even in heavy rain, if others are running.
It could rain on race day too...

[buzzlightyear]

All pack and in bed ready for early start - Decided I am not risking going down NG at 6am with little light and such heavy rain! Call me #$% but no point risking rolling ankle or break any hip.
I will meet everyone @ the tree tom and see what the general agreement is.

Course in Summary

Wet and slippery down NG
Have to cross the bridge @ Coxs
Slippery up Pluvi
Sllippery down Pluvi

= LONG DAY OUT!! :-)

Drive safe everyone!

[Mick]

Sounds more like an adventure than training ... looking forward to it.

[frankie17]

Update this evening. Light rain at megalong but ford is impassable.

[runhard]

I think I will drive up in the morning and see what everyone else is going to do. Sounds fun and challenging though at the moment.  Cant wait.

[besty]

frankie17, on Feb 6 2010, 09:27 PM, said:

Update this evening. Light rain at megalong but ford is impassable.

The torrential rain that is currently hitting the North Shore looks to be heading the way of Katoomba.

http://www.bom.gov.a...loop.shtml#skip

Certainly will be interesting tomorrow!

[Colin]

I'm a doubtful btw, crook (massive fatigue) whole wk, just coming out of it.... but wanted training partner to do it.
Will decide in morning otherwise drive up later in morning to finish.

[Nealo]

Quite the opposite to last year hey people's?

[Owly]

I'm at Katoomba YHA and listening to the rain outside. Koala where are you planning to run tomorrow?

[Rags]

I'm staying in Sydney and will either do 4 hours on the road or Quarry Rd x 3, it seems pointless risking injury on what may be a treacherous trail. I ran the Tree to Caves last weekend and definitely don't need to qualify, also left my usual pre race sacrificial blood on the track.

Good luck to those out there, the track up Mini and Pluvi is very rocky in parts and cut up with some deepish gullies caused by heavy runoff, run safe hope you all make it unscathed.

[Jogger]

I am still going. Will try to get there early enough to make a fair decision and possible workarounds.

Quote

D8888, on Feb 6 2010, 08:34 PM, said:

Wow... Colin... is this set in stone?

Definitely

a) it's Colin's decision as RD.
b) I see fatass run like training runs - they have been put on for best part of 10 years now with the "no rules" mantra and people allowed & encouraged to do shortcuts and their own thing. I see Megalong Mega as a great training hit out before 6ft. However putting in place auditable, reliable time-scoring is not and has never been part of fat ass. Its ok to have them as qualifying spots for 6ft when we were still trying to do anything to increase the field but now its capped and the RD gets hounded in case "someone cheats" then its not worth the aggro. Runners should qualify at "proper" races.

My only other comment is that if you left qualifying to Megalong Mega and choose not to run tomorrow then I see that as just tough and you will lose your place (well, that's my opinion at least ...). We encouraged early qualifying as to pin hopes on one run one month out is just too risky. If it wasn't bad weather it could have been a dodgy stomach or a hundred other reasons.

[Paul Every]

Just a word of warning for those thinking of running from the tree.

One year I hiked back to Katoomba following 6 Foot and thunderstorms hit while we were approaching Nellies. The rain off the escarpment caused flash flooding along the track and the usually dry gullies crossing the single track rapidly developed into impassable torrents. The storm passed but we spent an hour or two stranded and waiting for the water level to abate. For some time we were planning on spending the night in Nellies.

Apologies for the late warning, but I would not be heading down Nellies today.

Edited by Paul Every, 07 February 2010 - 12:11 AM.

[Colin]

Heading up there soon.

Paul Every, on Feb 7 2010, 01:07 AM, said:

Apologies for the late warning, but I would not be heading down Nellies today.

Thanks paul,

Got a call from NRG after I got into bed and that's what they suggested too. They went down NG but it was a torrent.
They suggested the best option if unable to cross the river by car or foot at megalong rod, is to double back from Ford Reserve along river towards 6Ft start and cross the river about 1km further upstream where track apparently crosses and is passable nd start the run from there.

The logjam would be at Cox's swing bridge because river would be totally impassable and the time per person over bridge is long.
I will suggest that other runners offer a courtesy to qualifiers and let them through

gotta go

cheers

[Horrie]

We have decided to give this a miss. Good luck to whoever is going up for a swim.

[undercover brother]

Horrie, on Feb 7 2010, 04:09 AM, said:

We have decided to give this a miss. Good luck to whoever is going up for a swim.

you sydney-siders are soft.
our radar looks much worse
hmmmmm think i better leave a bit early for our race if i want to get there at all.

Edited by undercover brother, 07 February 2010 - 09:04 PM.

[Rico]

Hi, this is Rico's other half. Apparently "everyone" (everyone who's left I guess) is blocked at the ford and considering what to do.

[scurry711]

With the constant rain all night here at Blaxland I sent Vstar a text at 4.10am this morning and we decided against it. Have been feeling a bit of guilt all morning until reading these posts and now I am glad I did give it a miss. Would rather miss a long run that do an injury or worse. Good luck to those out there.

[milov]

No reports yet from the foolhardy brave souls who ran MM today... I guess there were no survivors?

milov

[Martin Dugdale]

milov, on Feb 7 2010, 12:01 PM, said:

No reports yet from the foolhardy brave souls who ran MM today... I guess there were no survivors?

milov

maybe look downstream there might be debris

[milov]

Latest report has the leaders entering Lake Burragorang about an hour ago!