| The Mountain
Navigation Challenge is a two-day mountain marathon type score event
for teams of two people traditionally held in, or near, the Lake District.
However, the 19th MNC saw its first venture North of the Border to
the Moffat Hills, and this year it is remaining in the south of Scotland
for the third year, but moving to the Manor Hills. The time limits
are seven hours on day one and five hours on day two, during which
teams visit as many controls as they can. Teams must carry all the
equipment and food they require for two days and one night on the
fells. The maximum number of teams is only 20 and the event has a
history of being fun and friendly and yet retaining the element of
competition. The 21st MNC will start
from St Mary’s Hall at Cappercleuch, on the shores of St
Mary’s Loch. This is on the A708 between Moffat and Selkirk
at NT243231 - Location
Map. It's about 50 miles from Carlisle. There will be a staggered
start from 11 am on Saturday 18th July, registration and control
details from 9.30 am. We aim to be finished by 2pm on the Sunday
to allow for travelling home.
Teams must be competent with a map and compass,
have experience of navigation on the fells in poor visibility, be
physically fit and take full responsibility for their own safety
and for the consequences of their own actions while participating
in the event. All competitors must be aged over 18 years on 18th
July 2009. The organisers accept no responsibility for any injury
or loss, howsoever arising.
Tradition has it that the winning team wins
the honour of organising the Mountain Navigation Challenge for the
following year. You have been warned!
Rules
- All teams must hand in their control card to one of the organisers
before leaving the event, including if they are retiring. Failure
to do so will cause significant problems for the organisers and
may result in a mountain rescue call out. If a team does not arrive
at mid-camp at the end of day one, it is assumed that they have
camped elsewhere on the hills. The cut-off time for returning
to St Mary’s Hall on Sunday is 5pm.
- All teams must follow the country code, and familiarize themselves
with the Scottish
Outdoor Access Code.
- Each pair must remain together at all times, except in case
of emergency.
- Each individual must wear appropriate footwear (fell running
shoes or hiking boots) and clothing and must carry or wear waterproof
jacket and trousers, base layer, warm layer (including leg cover),
sleeping bag, compass, waterproof pen, survival blanket or bag,
whistle and torch.
- Each team must carry at least one map (see below), tent with
sewn-in groundsheet (bivi bags are not sufficient), stove and
cooking equipment, food sufficient for 36 hours (plus emergency
food), plasters and bandage and a mobile phone. The mobile phone
is only to be used in an emergency.
Entries
Entry cost is £30 per team. This amount covers the organisers’
expenses, small prizes for the winners and refreshments at the finish.
Any profit will be split between the Moffat and Tweed Valley Mountain
Rescue Teams. Entries are allocated on a first come, first served
basis.
Any questions, e-mail: mtnavchallenge@yahoo.co.uk
Accommodation
Camping or hotel accommodation is available at the historic Tibbie
Shiels Inn, less than two miles from the event centre. A few
miles to the east is the
Gordon Arms, which has rooms and bunkhouse accommodation. Alternatively,
there is plenty of accommodation to be found in the nearby towns
of Moffat, Selkirk and Innerleithen.
Map
The 2009 event will use the area covered by the Harvey
1:40 000 Walkers Map of Peebles and the Manor Hills and can
be purchased direct from Harveys
for £5.75. Teams must provide their own map(s). You may also
want to bring a waterproof map case.
Manor Hills
The Manor Hills in southern Scotland are steep sided with rounded
summits, with a mix of heather moorland and rough grassland. The
highest hills rising to over 800m include Broad Law, Cramalt Craig
and Dollar Law. For any summit baggers, the area we are using includes
1 Corbett, 1 Graham and 12 Donalds Unlike many mountain marathons,
the route planners won’t force you to contour round them all!
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