Ian can be quite compelling. Last September he asks me “How would you like to be involved in setting the next Autumn 12 hour rogaine with me? It is in a lovely area, no huge hills, no thick parrot bush and we will have it all set and vetted well before it gets hot.”

I had previously set a couple of rogaines with Ian and had enjoyed them, so this description made it sound like something not to be missed. He was almost right. Dryandra is a lovely area, so a tick for that bit. There were no huge hills, tick again. No thick parrot bush, tick again. Then he lost his credibility.

You might forgive me for thinking that he had found someone else to do this when I heard nothing further in October, November, December... January...?

I entered the upside down rogaine with Ian and it was in the small hours of the morning that he hesitantly broached the subject of “...remember that rogaine you agreed to vet...” I think I fell over a fence at that point.

From there it only got worse! He and some fellow named “Leg end” started the setting on the hot, hot, hot long weekend in March. Perhaps he meant it would be done before the northern summer?

So Steve and I went along to get some of the vetting done on the same weekend. Apparently “Leg end” thought we would not show up because of the heat. I was wondering at this point if his nick name “Leg end” was some odd attempt at humour related to my surname. Evidently not because it seems that it is actually “Legend” although I am still to find out exactly what heroic deed he did to earn the name.

Back to vetting...the heat was quite unpleasant that first weekend and when it got to 40 in the shade we packed it in for the day. Some of the control descriptions made for some very interesting discussion points back at camp. It is simply not possible to convince a pair of rock climbers that a manky pile of sloping rocks is a “cliff”! Ian and Jeff (his real name) graciously allowed us that one but they would not give on a rather odd interpretation of the terms “a” and “the”. Common enough in the English language but given a very unusual slant in rogainespeak. We were assured that any change in use, even to coincide with the common meanings, would cause the end of the world as we know it. Or at least the end of the rogaining world. So we graciously gave in on that one.

Of course there was the usual banter aimed at us “social rogainers”. I did ask how Ian came to be considered a “serious” rogainer? My experience ofrogaining with him is having to constantly stop so he can chat withwhoever is nearby. More the kind of practice I might expect of socialrogainers. Jeff too referred to many social rogaines he had done. I continue to ponder what it is that makes a rogaine an unsocial one and whether the opposite of a serious rogainer is a frivolous one...

But I digress from the setting and vetting of the event. Following our extremely hot weekend the weather did cool down and we were able to finish off in perfect walking weather.  We were happy to wander around finding the controls. Other than the one where the plate was on the ground it was quite a pleasure to find a close attack point and easily locate them. We also visited nearby Barna Mia to see the gorgeous nocturnal animals. How very sad that they are so endangered.

The weekend of hanging the controls came along so we headed down again, this time accompanied by Ian, Donna and two of our climbing friends Chloe and Rowena. All went well and we finished it up in a day. It turned out to be quite a weekend for wildlife. In addition to the huge spiders, hopping mice and the campsite possum that heard Ian was in town. We were alerted to the presence of another from a scream in the Congelin campsite toilet. There, comfortably perched on one of the wooden roof beams was a rather large snake looking down at Chloe. We decided not to use that toilet again.

The day before the event arrived along with some serious rain. The weather was kind though and cleared for the start. Patrolling during the event we saw lots of happy faces with some very appreciative comments on the lollies, port and chairs... the chairs... very well utilized indeed. Dryandra is such a great place for a rogaine. The bush is very beautiful and your chances of seeing wildlife is very good. While walking we saw kangaroos, honeyeaters, western rosellas and an echidna. I must admit though that I could have done without the giant spiders that spun webs like badminton nets.

Jeff was happy that by the end of the event we all had nicknames. For those of you who are wondering, Steve earned the name “Thurston” for wearing cravats to keep his neck warm on a bush walking trip, just like Thurston Howell III of Gilligan’s Island fame.

For a walking event there was surprisingly little walking required to set and vet this event. There are so many tracks and decent roads! I once again enjoyed being a part of  all this. There is something quite satisfying about wandering around in the bush for a few days looking for small plates.

As for Ian and Jeff, they were an absolute pleasure to work with as was my vetting partner Steve. I must give thanks to Jill and Peter Elderfield for stepping in and giving us 2 days to help with the vetting when it was looking very tight for time.

Thank you too to all of you who volunteered to collect controls and did it so quickly. It is so good to be part of a sport where people so willingly help out.

And the next time Ian asks “how would you like to set a rogaine with me?” I will make sure I get him to commit to dates. Either that or he has to present my proposed amendment to the committee about a clause that could be used to allow late rogaine entries.

Live long and prosper
... Sheryl Foot