18th Blue Hills Traverse

Blue Hills Reservation, Milton, Massachusetts
December 2, 1990
by meet director Jeff Saeger

Everyone seemed to be relaxed and warm at the base of the Blue Hills ski slope. This year there was no snow on the slopes, no ice on the rocks and the temperature was a balmy 55 degrees (F). So I guess they were content to wait out the speech by the meet director. Soon enough they would warm up by somehow orienteering to the first control on the other side of 100 meter Great Blue Hill.

The traditional N.E.O.C. traverse of the Blue Hills was changed to a loop course this year when the managers of the area declared half of our traditional course off-limits to off trail use. To make up for the lack of length a few hills were added. A series of ups and downs along trails for the first six controls slowed the pace in the first half (acutally 4.7km. to the split) then some real orienteering for another 16 controls to the end. Actually an inaccurate map at control 17 provided more (unintended) drama when many packs or individuals wandered around looking for a mis-mapped pit. This bunched up some groups even more but some fast open controls at the end allowed Mikell Platt to again this year become the overall winner.

Awards were given for various categories, including a novice award of last year's T-shirt for the first male and female novices of the Traverse. Since many of the experienced orienteerers have drawers full of T-shirts, Blue Hills Traverse polypro socks were given to the winners in each category.

A T-shirt was also given (and we still have lots left) to Vicky Woolworth for travelling the farthest for the meet, I'm sure the shirt is a rare item in the Bay Area O' Club.

* - indicates class winner