Stanford University
Date: (Sun.) Dec. 3, 2006
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Event Director: 
- 408.599.9709
Course Setter: Russell Neilson
Type: C; Afternoon beginner and Score-O courses, Night-O, potluck dinner social
Note: The permit application has been fully approved. The event is on.
This Sunday, December 3, we will have the Stanford meet, including a daytime White (beginner) point-to-point course and a Score-O (with starts from 1:30-4:00 PM; courses close at 4:30), an afternoon E-Punch workshop, a potluck dinner/social about 5:00-7:30 PM, and a Night Score-O.
The courses are completely flat and often on asphalt, so non-cleated shoes should be worn. The White course is 2.4 km long, and is somewhat "Yellowish" in difficulty for a few of the controls.
Registration will be at a picnic area between Sequoia Hall (http://campus-map.stanford.edu/index.cfm?ID=04-530) and the Math Corner (http://campus-map.stanford.edu/index.cfm?ID=01-380) (NW corner) of the Main Quad, close to the Varian Physics (http://campus-map.stanford.edu/index.cfm?ID=04-520) building (zoom out any of the maps to see the surrounding area). The potluck is planned for Conference Room 102 in the Varian Physics (http://campus-map.stanford.edu/index.cfm?ID=04-520) building, which will be open from 4 to 9 PM. The closest parking is at the Oval; please see this Stanford map (http://www.stanford.edu/hpcgi/map/index.pl) for other parking possibilities indicated by the "P" squares, "A" triangles, and "C" circles on the map (all are open on Sundays).
The afternoon Score-O will have 50-minute and 70-minute options with 27 controls. Scoring is 1 point for each control and a 1-point penalty for each minute (or fraction) overtime. One bonus point will be given for correctly identifying the Gryffendor Control. One control will have an unusual (or no) symbol on the clue sheet with the "between" symbol. This should be taken to mean "Between the Alligators". Although a compass is generally not necessary, a few of the outlying controls are in relatively bland areas away from buildings where it would be helpful to have a compass to locate the control quickly. Some of the trails in these areas have become rather indistinct. Controls are pie plates with a number to identify the correct control as on the clue sheet, and a pair of letters that need to be copied down in lieu of punches. You will need to carry a pen or pencil.
The Night-O will be 45 minutes with 21 controls and a mass start about 5:30 PM. A nearly full moon should be out to aid where street lights don't penetrate. The Night-O controls consist of reflective pipes with two letters on them to identify the controls, and a colored crayon to mark on the card in lieu of punches. Note that this is opposite of the day controls; there is no need to write down the letters as they will already be on the clue sheet — only the color matters. Thanks to Tony Pinkham for designing and setting the night course with help from Thorsten Graeve.
The E-punch workshop will take place in the Physics Building Conference Room from 4 to about 5 PM. Please let me or know if you are interested in the workshop, so we get an idea of how many people to expect. We are always looking for E-Punch help at events, and this is a great way to learn.
CAUTIONS:
- Do not enter the out-of-bounds areas indicated by red slashes or cross-hatches.
- Please be respectful of pedestrians and cyclists (and be wary of the latter).
- Some routes cross rather large streets; although traffic tends to be slow, please cross with caution.
- The Physics Building Conference Room is carpeted; please do not wear muddy clothes into the room or spill food on the floor. It is imperative that we leave the room neat and clean.
Please bring something yummy to eat and drink for the potluck!
Werner Haag
P.S. Thanks to Peter Graham for working through the complicated permitting process.
Driving Directions
There are many ways to get into the Stanford campus. Here are the ones that are easiest to describe.
From Highway I-880, exit at Decoto Rd to take the Dumbarton Bridge across the south bay. At the first traffic light, turn left onto University Ave. Stay on University Ave through East Palo Alto, across Highway 101, through downtown Palo Alto, and across El Camino Real. Continue into the Stanford campus, where the street name changes to Palm Drive. The Oval is at the end of Palm Drive.
From southbound Highway 101, exit at University Ave. Take University Ave southwest through downtown Palo Alto and across El Camino Real. Continue into the Stanford campus, where the street name changes to Palm Drive. The Oval is at the end of Palm Drive.
From northbound Highway 101, take the Embarcadero Road exit and follow signs toward Stanford University (within the extended exit, take the third option). After crossing El Camino Real and entering the campus, make a right onto Arboretum and a left onto Palm Drive, which ends at The Oval.
From Highway I-280, exit at Alpine Road, and drive north to the intersection with Junipero Serra Blvd. Turn right onto Junipero Serra Blvd. Turn left onto Campus Drive West. Campus Drive West circles the central campus (which is to the right). One parking possibility is to turn right (south) onto Panama St, which leads to the parking structure and lots at Via Ortega (on the left). The registration area is a short walk from there — walk north on Via Ortega or Via Palou and east on Via Pueblo.