• Final Details (Last updated 26th January 2020 v1)

Safety

This is a night event in February. You must come prepared to dress for the conditions.

• Whistles are compulsory
• Back up lights are compulsory
• Full body cover is compulsory
• If weather inclement, Cagoules will be compulsory

The terrain has slippery slopes so appropriate studded footwear should be worn.

You must report to Download even if you retire.

In the event of bad weather being forecast, check the MDOC website before travelling.

Location

Nearest town: Bury, Manchester

• Grid Ref: SD798042
• Postcode: M45 7QJ
• Latitude: 53.53446
• Longitude: -2.30516
• Google Map
• Streetmap (OS 50k)
• Bing Map (OS 50k)
• OpenStreetMap

Directions / Parking

From Junction 17 of the M60 head north towards Bury, then left turn to A665 Higher Lane and then left turn into Park Lane and along Park Lane until the Park entrance and into the Park. The route will be signed from Junction 17 M60 (North Exit from roundabout). Grid ref: SD798042. Assembly/Registration at M45 7QJ.

There is limited parking on a first come first served basis adjacent to Registration. Follow Registration sign and do not park in the Private Car Park just past Registration. When full please use the main Car Park which is signposted.

Registration is 200m from the main Car Park.

Registration & Start Times

Registration from 17:30 to 18:45.

Start: Starts from 18:00 to 19:00. If you expect to take a long time, then please start early as Courses Close at 20:30.

The Punching Start is 150m from Registration.

Controls will NOT be enabled in Contactless mode.

Please be quiet going to the Start as the route passes private property.

Finish: The Finish is 150m from Registration. 

Please remember to Download at Registration.

Courses close at 20:30 but we will be progressively collecting controls in from 20:15.

Course Information

Course	Distance	Climb
Blue	6.0k	180m
Green	4.3k	130m
Orange	2.6k	80m

Explanation of colour courses

• White are very easy with all controls on paths. They are mainly used by 6-10 year olds and family groups.
• Yellow use simple linear features like paths, walls and streams. They are mainly used by under 12’s and family groups.
• Orange progress to basic use of the compass and route choice. They are ideal for novice adults or experienced youngsters.
• Light Green are ideal for improvers as the navigational difficulty begins to increase and uses simple contours and point features.
• Green are used mostly by experienced under 18’s and adults wanting a short but challenging course with a very hard navigational difficulty.
• Blue are a longer, more physically demanding course in comparison to the green. The distances are more varied between controls and the course attracts experienced orienteers.
• Brown & Black are very physically demanding and have a very hard navigational difficulty. They are for experienced orienteers only.
• Score means visiting as many controls as possible in any order in a specific time, like 45mins.

Entry Details

Fees: Senior £6:00, Junior £3:00

Free SI card hire, but £30.00 charge if lost.

Terrain Description

Country Park with path/track network with open and wooded areas including some steep sided valleys and other slippery slopes. The wet weather this winter means that marshes, ponds, streams, ditches, gullies and depressions could be affected. Also, the slopes are worse than expected at this time of year and fallen trees have not helped. The planner has tried to avoid the worst parts.

Map

The X symbol on the map indicates various man-made features, including small fenced trees and benches.

There are cycle tracks in the park and the main ones are marked in Red on the map. Whilst we do not expect them to be used at night you never know, so take great care if you use or cross them.

Facilities

Toilets are available at Registration. No muddy boots please. 

FREE Tea, Coffee and Cup a Soup will be available at Registration.

Contacts / Officials

Organiser:    Eddie Speak     MDOC

Planner:       Chris Rostron   MDOC

Enquiries to