Saturday morning 5:15 AM. Our hero awakens in a rather comfortable sofa-bed in the city of Fredericton. Peter the Steady, his partner for the next few days, is already up and about eager to begin the day. After a quick shower surrounded by rubber duckies of all types, the two intrepid adventurers strike out into the early morning for breakfast at Fred's Pancake House. The previous evening two cable weather stations and three Internet web sites had been consulted. All said there would only be 1-3 millimeters of rain at some point Saturday afternoon. Stepping out of the house and onto the deck the pair see that 1-3 MM of rain seems to be falling every five minutes. The desire to throttle a weatherman becomes noticable.

A short drive to the Pancake House and the pair arrive exactly at 6AM for a hot breakfast of eggs, ham with coffee and toast. Discussion is centered on the upcoming event. A 24 hour orienteering competition based out of Camp Petersville in C.F.B. Gagetown. Strategy is discussed and various scenarios postulated. However, in- depth planning cannot be done until the terrain map is seen later in the day.

Leaping into our vehicles the convoy heads out for the highway. Stopping at the main gate for the camp, our hero signs in. He is glad to see extra security to keep the admiring females away from the event. The pair of stalwart adventurers arrive at the tent site and erect a small tent which will act as a base camp for the event. Once it begins, the cars will be off limits for the duration of the competition. All manner of camping gear is placed into the tent to give as many options as possible for the traveling twosome once the plan of action is hatched. With base camp established a trip to the sign-in desk is made. A standard waiver indemnifying the Orienteering N.B. organization from any loss or property, personal injury or death is signed (They must have been psychic) and a terrain map is given to each of them.

Retreating to their individual cars, the adventuresome pair study the map, control points and terrain trying to establish a plan of action. The map covers a 120 square kilometer area in the C.F.B. Gagetown training area and the higher scoring control points are either at the top of high hills or remotely located in dense bush. By balancing distance and time you have to determine what control points you can get to and then return before the 24 hour event is over. After a few minutes of study a plan begins to emerge in the mind of the roving rascal. He leaves his car, slamming the door behind him, and goes to the conveyance of Peter the Steady. The pair discuss our heroes idea and Peter the Steady polishes the proposed plan of attack further. Instead of starting off with the closest control points, the pair decide to head south immediately at the start. By doing this they hit several medium point controls and are in an excellent position to grab several higher point controls in the south. Timings are written down and the route is solidified. Several optional controls are identified and 'escape routes' for getting back to base camp quickly in case of a lack of time are discussed for various points along the way. The plan is unanimously accepted between the hiking hulks and our hero returns to his car.

Peering through a rain spotted windshield a set of keys is seen dangling from the ignition. The doors, locked by some devious miscreant, remain immovable. A call to CAA is made and the soggy hero returns to the vehicular warmth of Peter the Steady for more discussion. Forty-five minutes later the tow truck arrives and the door is opened to much rejoicing. Peter the Steady heads off to re-pack in the tent. Simon the Bold heads off to a Quonset hut which has shower and toilet facilities for event participants. Packs and other hiking gear is carried and a make shift work center is created in a laundry area. Six clothes dryers act as tables as the equipment for the next day is spread out and a last minute examination of needed items is made. Several pieces of gear are rejected and others packed. Each clothing item is placed in waterproof plastic bags, the air removed and then sealed. Spare socks, changes of clothing, hiking items, food and three liters of water are placed in the backpack. The pack weight is judged to be about twenty pounds. As the gear is being packed several competitors walked through the area. The humble one must give credit to the others as they decided to stay in the competition even though they knew they were up against true competition. With all items securely packed the wandering waif takes all other equipment to the tent to store it in case of emergency use.

Heading over to the event building, the pair see the weather worsening. More rain falls. A mandatory safety equipment check is made of several key pieces of equipment. Each hiker must carry a First-Aid kit, whistle, knife and waterproof matches. Once the team is checked the pair sit and wait for the event briefing.

1150 AM - A briefing is given by C.F.B. Gagetown Range Control on unexploded ordinance. How to recognize it and what to do if seen. Then the event staff take over and talk about safety points and procedures. The brief was short and then everyone headed out into the weather for the start. 1200 Noon. This was the last time that the word 'dry' would be experienced. Forty-five competitors stood waiting for the signal to go. The rain began as light, but was constant. At the word "GO" the competitors surged forward. Most headed off to the closest controls while only three teams went southwards. Perhaps they wanted to ride the coat-tails of victory? The pace was quick. The route selected was over major gravel roads which were easily traversed. A couple of easy control points were achieved in short order. Once at the control point a score card was punched with a distinctive pin pattern and a register was filled out confirming it had been found. Further progress south was made. In time no other teams were encountered as the area was so vast. The numbers of teams encountered on the control registers dropped also. Time and distance elapsed. The combination of rain and wet brush began to take its toll. Water soaked into the backpacks, straps and clothes doubling the weight carried of the Steady and the Bold. (Note to the Scotch Guard Product Development Team. A wee bit more tweaking on your waterproof formulation is required.)
MAP-SOUTH
Bashing through the brush the partners decide to pick up a 500 point control located on the side of a small lake. Setting compasses they head off into the dense New Brunswick foliage. Following the set course the team arrives on the lakeshore. A shallow series of puddles is encountered as the noble pair travel closer and closer to the edge of the lake. The water is easily avoided by stepping on roots and dead fall trees. Unable to see the control point, the team decides to separate to cover more ground. Staying within vocal communication range is a pre- requisite of the competition so shouts are exchanged on occasion. Peter the Steady is treated to an impressive rendition of snippets from Gilbert and Sullivan to inspire his searching. The Bold One is unable to spot the control and sees a recent trail skirting the shore. Stepping onto the 'trail' he discovers that it is a floating bog of peat. With each step the surface drops six inches and returns when the weight is removed with a slurping sound. At the end of the trail is a five foot section of open water before the shore. Not a problem, thinks the hunky hiker as he steps into what is thought to be ankle deep water. Plunging up to his knees the Bold one is thrown forward. The weight of his pack causes him to stumble further and his other foot steps into the same patch of water. The black mud on the floor of the lake sucks both feet down and holds him firmly. Trying to pull one foot up results in the other foot being pushed down. Several thick roots lay just out of arms reach. Then the stuck soloist realizes that he is slowly sinking in the mire as his knees disappear under the brackish water. Off in the bush, Peter the Steady hears the word, "Help...!". To his credit, Peter recognizes that it is not a lyric from the Beatles and he rushes to assist. By the time he gets there the handsome hiker is embedded up to his waist in water and up to his knees in mud. Leaning forward Peter the Steady reaches out grabbing the hand of his floundering partner. Pulling firmly the moist man is hauled to the shore. From the knees down, black fetid mud sticks to pants and boots as a reminder of the events. A few seconds of rest are taken and then the dedicated adventurers move off to find the elusive control point. Within seconds it is located further down the shore. The most satisfying 500 points of the competition...

When the initial plan had been developed it was agreed that the half way point in the trip would be an established safety point in the southern part of the course. It was a set of tents operated by a scout troop and they would have a campfire and hot drinks all night long. To get to this point the pair of adventurers would have to cross a ford in a small stream. As both were already wet and the rain was falling continuously the dampness of the ford was no issue and across they ambled. Clouds of black mud were carried down stream and while wet, at least the boots were now clean. A control point, located on the top of a small hill, was accomplished and the heroes pause briefly. A quick examination of the map shows the team is well ahead of schedule and they arrive at the scout station 6 hours ahead of plan.

Just as the enthusiastic pair get under canvas the skies open and rain falls demonically. 1-3 MM of rain falls per second as the tarps and tents of the scouts take a pounding. Leaks form in several places and water drips everywhere. Removing the pack and grabbing an offered mug of hot chocolate, the roaming Romeo stands near the small campfire. Surreal steam rises from the front of his body as the heat of the fire evaporates the water in the cloth. Tasting what must certainly be the best cup of hot chocolate in his life the steaming Simon the Bold stands and absorbs as much heat as possible. The clothing on his body turns from wet to moist in time. As the rain continues the pair of hikers converse. Being six hours ahead of schedule and with the rain hammering down it is decided to get some rest. A tent is offered by the scout master and gratefully accepted (As you should always do in those situations...). The pair strip off their dripping clothes and change into dry ones produced from the waterproof bags. Then they crawl into sleeping bags on the tent floor. Once in the bags, the rain stops; It was 800 PM.

Within an hour of being in the sleeping bag the immersion, constant wetness and cold cause shivers to begin in the ranging rascal. Fearing the onset of hypothermia, Peter the Steady recommends a trip to the food tent for some coffee. Warm and fluffy socks placed into soaking wet boots stay dry only as long as it takes to lace up the boots. Squishing over to the scout tent a coffee is consumed. That is followed by a huge mug of instant oatmeal and a second coffee. Warmed from within and with no rain seen the pair decide to strike out once more. Darkness forces the production of several flashlights on both hikers as they stride down the road. Only one moment of trepidation was experienced when Peter the Steady spotted a 'bear' in a ditch which turned out to be a black plastic storm drain culvert.

Continuing to head counterclockwise around the course several more control points are reached and scored. With each step the boots of our hero make squishing sounds. As the course progresses his feet begin to make the same noises. After a rather difficult control is made a rest break is taken. Boots are removed and feet examined. A large blister is found on the left foot and a layer of moleskin is placed to protect it from continued walking. With that accomplished a waterproof liner is placed on the moist grass and the pair take an hours rest. Above, the skies clear and the clouds vanish. A sea of shining stars beams down brilliantly. Literally in the middle of nowhere there is no other light to mask their beauty. It was 200 AM. With no rain and a starry sky the progress becomes pleasant even with the slight wind. Sounds of distant coyotes baying to each other was faintly audible.

As the pair march towards their next control it becomes obvious that both are suffering from the wetness. Now visibly hobbling, the hiking hero slows his pace to a crawl and has to rest often. Now there were two choices. Wave down a patrolling vehicle and get a nice warm ride back to the camp, thereby losing all points, or walk back 20 kilometers and finish early with a lower score. Both were determined not to give up and a new hiking course back to camp is determined. Picking up a few easy points along the way the cruising crew walks back. They arrive at 830 AM and receive the bonus points for finishing early. A pile of food is waiting for them and a huge piece of blueberry pie is devoured in seconds. After eating, a retreat to the tent is made where the moist clothes are removed and a dry set is put on. Crawling into a mummy style sleeping bag our hero grabs the first real sleep in almost 28 hours.

Emerging three hours later the aching Adonis pads slowly over to the event building for more food energy. A young man is heard talking to his partner with a foreign accent. It turns out he is Russian and is amazed when the Bold one introduces himself with a Leningrad accent. The Russian asks if the Bold One is just getting up for another go. No, says the wandering waif, he was up all night hunting controls and has finished. With a look of disbelief the Moscovite says, "You look for controls in the dark bush at night!?". "Da..." smiles the Bold One. The Russian retreats with his partner, both doubting the sanity of the striding señor.

1300 - SundayThe teams assemble for the closing ceremonies and communal meal. Only one team was lost during the event and contrary to the rumours of them becoming bear food they were located just before the meal began. During the closing ceremonies the indomitable pair claimed second place in their category. Traveling 54 kilometers in 21 hours and collecting 5500 points in controls it is a notable finish for their first attempt.

It is a rare thing to be pushed to your absolute limit in life. To have every part of your body, mind and spirit rage at you to stop the mad thing you are doing. Yet you ignore the cries and take one more step towards your distant goal. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the goal approaches. There are few things as rewarding as achieving the improbable. Such is the reward of life. Adventure is a voyage of self- discovery and as a great man once said...

The adventures continue...