Hi Michael,

This article leads me to another topic.

Would you give your thoughts, personal, researched or both on the use of base plate and thumb compasses?

Thanks for your consideration of this topic.

Sincerely,

Jim Blanchard
 

1) It's all relative. With your experience, you say that Florida is the most different.

With my experience, I'd say that night- is the most different. During the day, both P'way and Florida have vegetation features, water features, topography, and trails. Even though the terrain is completely different, my approach would be the same.

But again, it's relative. I think if the three choices were: city park in Seattle in daylight, city park in Seattle in the dark, and Buena Vista in daylight... I'd say that Buena Vista is the most different.

I think the more you do night-o, the more negligible its difference becomes. The first time I orienteered out in the real woods (as opposed to nice city parks), that was different. Now, I've done it enough where I'm used to it.

2) I think the second discussion is more valid. Night-o equipment matters a LOT. The most important thing you've got is the map. Why? Because you can associate it with the terrain. You have to have vision and illumination to do that. The more of that you have, the better off you are.

What if you eliminated all of the light? You'd be lost. You can't see the terrain, and your vision and map is useless.

What other equipment do you have?

Shoes- They give you better grip, but if you eliminated the shoes, you could still orienteer barefoot.

Compass- It's a helpful tool, but if you eliminate it, there's enough stuff on the map for you to still orienteer.

Look at golf...

You golf in Florida and Colorado and just about anywhere you can think of. There are short courses and long courses and trees and sand and water. But despite how different the courses are, it's still golf.

And they don't do it at night. Imagine if they did... the guy with the brightest light simulates the daytime conditions the best.. he's got a big advantage.. he has a better vision of where he needs to hit that ball.

Look at tennis... you play on grass or clay or hardcourt. They don't play at night, either.

Federer has better racquets and shoes (and skill) than I have, but if we play at night and I have a 1.21 Gigawatt headlamp and he has a little LED one, I think I can take him.
 

I'm pretty sure that Federer would still win, even if you didn't burn your head off with a smaller 20W headlamp.
 

Night-O at Pawtuckaway... this coming Saturday night! And I think it's not going to be easy...