Hardcastle Crags RegionalSun 04 February, 2024
Regional level event
Explanation of Event levels
- Training events are non competitive events used for training and coaching, aimed at members of the club, but they can attract people from neighbouring clubs, and are often ideal for newcomers to try the sport.
- Local events are usually low key and in the 'localised' area, ideal for newcomers to try the sport. Most clubs run some 'mini series' throughout the year as local mid week events.
- Regional events attract participants from around the local Region.
- National events are high quality competitions that will attract people from far away,
- Major events are Major Events such as a British Championships or the annual JK competition.
Results
Report
Planners Comments - Graham Lloyd
Firstly thanks to all of you who came to Hardcastle Crags to the joint EPOC/PFO event.
Extra thanks to Hannah Kay and Andy for organising, to Alasdair for the map, and Jonathan for controlling.
In fact the planning was a bit of a joint effort as I’d not planned for 10 or so years, so I was very rusty, and a lot has changed in that time.
We recognised that the courses were physically demanding, but we wanted you to get to the best areas from the best directions, which meant some effort was required.
The area is full of pockets of loveliness interspersed with some awful bits. We avoided the worst bits…really!
We were also constricted by the narrowness of the area, and the pinch point at Gibson Mill.
We wanted to get the longer course over to Crimsworth Dene, which is completely different.
Due to the path network our legs were primarily about route choice and secondly fine navigation to the control.
We also wanted you all to get into the “Scottish” bit, which meant concentration when tired!
With Guisecliffe coming up, and Hardcastle Crags under our belt, you should all be well practiced for the British at Mulgrave.
Thanks again.
Mappers Comments - Alasdair Pedley
https://www.alasdairpedley.com...
RouteGadget
Is a web browser app for sharing and comparing orienteering routes. You can draw your own route or upload a GPS track from your watch. It also allows you to watch an animated replay with a simulated mass start.
Go to the Pendle Forest Routegadget now
This is a joint Regional event organised by EPOC & PFO at EPOC's Hardcastle Crags area. This area has not hosted a major event for many years but has recently been remapped. It is a classic long distance event.
There will be a limit of 200 entries for this event. Sorry there will NOT be a waiting list for this event.
Safety: This is a winter event: WHISTLES are MANDATORY; WATERPROOF JACKETS may be required, at the discretion of the organiser.
Retirement: If retiring, you MUST report your retirement to Download.
Location Info
Near: Hebden Bridge Lat,Lng: 53.76434,-2.04823 OS Grid Ref: SD969297 Postcode: HX7 7AZ
Open an interactive map in:
GoogleMap -
Streetmap (OS 50k)
OpenStreetMap -
BingMap (OS 50k)
Directions / Parking
Parking will be at Clough Hole NT car park on Widdop Road. What 3 words ///debate.starfish.partly.
If travelling from the east along the A646 through Hedben Bridge, continue for 800m to the turning circle to double back and access the Heptonstall Road by the Fox and Goose PH.
This is a pay and display car park (NT members free). The charge is £5. Coins only, but there will be an NT representative present with change. The height restriction barrier will be open. It would be appreciated if all NT members in a vehicle scanned their membership card and not just the driver.
Please car share wherever possible. Additional roadside parking will be on Widdop Road, once the car park is full.
Please DO NOT park at Midgehole car park.
The route to the Event Centre at Gibson Mill is approximately 1km and 90m downhill from the car park.
Map / Terrain
The Hardcastle Crags area has been recently remapped using modern mapping techniques (LiDAR data e.t.c.).
All maps 1:7500 scale : A3 size for Brown, Blue and Red; A4 for all other courses.
The area comprises the steep sided wooded Pennine valleys encasing Hebden Water and Crimsworth Dean Beck. This provides a mixture of runnability and, in some areas, an abundance of rock features, including the titular Hardcastle Crags. The climbing can be "ironed out" with careful route choice
Registration and Start times
Start times from 10:00 to 12:00. When entering, choose your 15 minute start block.
Courses close at 14:00.
Please choose an early start time if you anticipate being out for a long time.
Course Information
Regional Courses: (Subject to final controlling.)
| Course | Length | Climb | Notes |
| Brown | 8.5k | 320m | 30 controls, TD5 |
| Blue | 6.3k | 245m | 19 controls, TD5 |
| Green | 4.0k | 155m | 16 controls, TD5 |
| Short Green | 2.8k | 105m | 13 controls, TD5 |
| Very Short Green | 2.0k | 95m | 12 controls, TD5 |
| Light Green | 3.1k | 95m | 11 controls, TD4 |
| Red | 4.9k | 150m | 14 controls, TD3 |
| Orange | 3.0k | 90m | 9 controls, TD3 |
| Yellow | 2.2k | 50m | 8 controls, TD2 |
| White | 1.4k | 20m | 7 controls, TD1 |
Control descriptions will be on the map and also available loose in the start lanes.
The Start/Finish are adjacent to the Event Centre at Gibson Mill.
Entry Details
On-line pre-entry only via SIEntries. No EOD.
There is a limit of 200 entries for this event.
Standard pricing will apply up to midnight Sunday 28th January. Entry will remain open after this, subject to map availability, until midnight Saturday 3rd February, with a late entry surcharge of £2.00 Adults / £1.00 Young Adults & Juniors.
| BOF Adult (26+) | BOF Young Adult (21-25) | BOF Junior (20-) | Non BOF Adult (26) | Non BOF Young Adult (21-25) | Non BOF Junior (20-) | |
| Up to Sun 28th Jan | £12.00 | £9.00 | £6.00 | £14.00 | £10.50 | £7.00 |
| From Mon 29th Jan | £14.00 | £10.00 | £7.00 | £16.00 | £11.50 | £8.00 |
Dibber hire £1.00 (£40 if lost/broken). Hired dibbers are collected from Download.
Dog restrictions
No dogs allowed on courses, but they can be exercised after run. Please tidy up after dogs.
Facilities
The Event Centre will be at Gibson Mill where there are Toilets and a Cafe.
We had hoped to have registration / download / dibber collection on one of the upper floors of the mill but over-running buildings works have prevented access. We will now be based in the southern most cottage adjacent to the mill courtyard. Belongings may be left in the wooden lean-to shed next to the cottage, at the owners risk.
Miscellaneous
Thanks to the National Trust, Walshaw Moor Estate and Crimsworth Dean landowners for access.
Please show consideration to walkers, cyclists, horse riders etc that use the area.
Contacts / Officials
Organiser – Hannah Dabinett PFO ()
Planner – Graham Lloyd EPOC
Controller – Jonathon Emberton EPOC