Carntogher – NIOA Long Distance Championships 15th October 2022

This year’s Long Distance Championships will be held in an area completely new to Orienteering –  the South-East slopes of Carntogher mountain in the east Sperrins. Although only a few miles from Glenshane Pass the terrain here is completely different and as you can see below it features a wealth of subtle contour detail. In addition to the natural features, the area has a network of unusual earthbanks which add landscape interest and linear features for the less technical courses.

The east-facing slopes feature rich contour detail

A new plot and map by Peel Map Surveys should make the best of the area.

A sample of the new map

In recent years the local Community Association has been instrumental in establishing car parking, access, and walking trails which explore the history of this unique landscape and we will make good use of these for our event.

Latest Information (updated 09:00 14th October)

Parking:

Parking will be at the An Carn Community Centre and Cafe. Please do not park directly in front of the centre (this is reserved for normal customers) and use the three areas shown on the map above.

Enquiries:

Enquiries, hire dipper pick up and car key drop will be at the An Carn centre.

Results will be live online but also on display at enquiries.

SI Air:

The controls will be SI Air enabled (beacon mode), but the start and finish must be dipped in the traditional fashion.

Bus to Start:

A shuttle bus will take competitors to the start and from the finish. This will leave adjacent to event enquiries. It will take 10 minutes to drive to the drop-off. There is then a further 10 minute uphill walk to the start.

Weather / Safety: 

The forecast for Saturday is currently for showers, possibly heavy with a strong gusting wind and strong wind chill. The carrying of a cagoule is strongly recommended and may be required so please ensure you have one with you. Whistles are compulsory. There will be a small tent at the start.

The finish is adjacent to the bus drop off and clothing may be left there.

Please read the map notes and hazards at the foot of the page. This is an unusual area and rock and water features require extra care.

Prize Giving:

This will be in the An Carn Centre as close to 3pm as possible

Toilets:

There are toilets in the An Carn centre – please make use of these if possible. There will also be a single toilet by the bus drop-off point.

Cafe:

There is a good cafe in the An Carn centre providing meals, snacks and coffee. Please support this community enterprise.

Start Lists

Start lists page now live at the link below:

•  NIOA Champs 2022 Carntogher Start Lists

Any problems contact us with the Query form below.

Entries:

This is a Pre-entry event.

• Juniors £9 (NIOA/BOF/IOA members £7)
• Full-time Students £9 (NIOA/BOF/IOA members £7)
• Seniors £18 (NIOA /BOF/IOA members £16)
• Family multiple individual runs £45 (NIOA /BOF/IOA members £40)

Entries will be via the SIEntries Website

Entries now closed – but we have a few spare maps on some courses. So contact us if you would like to run and we will see what we can do!

Event Query

Start and Finish:

First start 11:00 – last start 13:00.

Please allow at least 25 minutes to catch the shuttle bus and walk 400m (40m climb) to the start. The finish (and download) is adjacent to the bus pickup point.

Courses Close at 15:00.

Map:

All courses will use a new 1:10,000 map. This has been surveyed by Peel Land Surveys spring 2022.

Course Details (Final):

Yellow, Orange, Light Green, and Green colour courses are also available. These are pre-entry only.

Mapping Notes

The higher areas of Carntogher has many old peat cuttings which in places is complex. To best represent this the mapper has modified the steep bank symbol by reducing the length of the tags and in places removing the tags all together. In the terrain these are most commonly a 1m drop and fairly easy to cross, though in places they are even smaller than this but always distinct features in the terrain. Sometimes the cuttings face each other and are too close to map so here the wet ditch symbol has been used to represent the line of cuttings. However in other locations the symbol can be a traditional ditch often with flowing water.

There are many patches of gorse across the area and in most cases these have been shown as Vegetation Fight but occasionally when younger Vegetation Walk. Only the most distinct trees and bushes are represented.

Knoll symbols are used to indicate not only very small hills as we would expect in Ireland, but also to indicate high points on hills.

The unusually geology/hydrology of the area results in water channels cutting below the surface vegetation in places. This makes small streams more difficult to see and indeed you may hear water courses (or linear marches) before you see them! Extra care is required.

The marsh symbol tends to be a better guide to vegetation type than the actual wetness of the ground. By Irish mountain standards, the area is relatively dry (probably because of the unusual hydrology mentioned above).

Planning Notes

The best terrain at Carntogher is clumped together on the easterly facing slope and lies between about 250 and 450m above sea level. In making best use of this, climb is inevitable mainly on the first half of courses. This is reflected in shorter than usual courses. Care is required on all courses over the “yellow” open hillside particularly whilst descending on account of the numerous areas of surface bouldery stones.

Dogs:

No dogs are allowed in the competition area.

Hazards:

• The area is open, exposed and mountainous.  Please bring a cagoule which you may be required to carry if weather conditions are poor.
• Some of the faster hillside areas contain many small rocks. Please exercise care, particularly while descending.
• Be aware that the unusual hydrology of the area results in some small sinkholes and linear trenches forming in the surface peat.
• Most of the competition area is over 800 feet so low visibility is very possible. Ensure you carry a compass and be prepared to lose height to the SW should you need to retire.
• Whistles must be carried.

All participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety