Late Summer Handicap Challenge

The SABAP2 Late Summer Handicap Challenge will take place from the Easter weekend, 20 March till the end of May 2008. The scoring rules are quite complicated, but the principle is simple: the more remote the pentad in which you do a checklist, the more points you will earn. There are also extra points for the second and third checklists for pentads. There are also points for repeat visits to pentads you have previously atlased.

 

The challenge

The points

 

 

Checklist for each different pentad in the blank two degree grid cell (RED SQUARE)

50

Checklist for each different pentad in a blank one degree grid cell (PINK SQUARE)

25

Checklist for each different pentad in a blank half degree grid cell

15

Checklist for each different pentad in a blank quarter degree grid cell

10

Checklist for each pentad which was blank at the start of the challenge

5

Checklist for each pentad which had only one checklist at the start of the challenge

3

The third checklist for each pentad which had only two checklists at the start of the challenge

2

Each checklist for a pentad which had three or more checklists at the start of the challenge

1

Each repeat checklist for any pentad you have covered yourself before

5

The first checklist for the last pentad in a quarter degree grid cell which is blank (ie the checklist which completes the initial coverage of the quarter degree grid cell).

10

 

At the start of the Late Summer Handicap Challenge, there is only one two-degree grid cell which is blank. 30S_20E, 30S_22E. If you go to the coverage map on the website, which has a two-degree grid over it, this is the big block in the Williston-Carnarvan area of the Northern Cape. In the map for the Late Summer Handicap Challenge, this area is coloured red: everyone who visits this RED SQUARE during the challenge will earn 50 points for their first checklist from each different pentad here (even if someone else also visits the red square during the challenge!).

 

There are 37 one-degree grid cell which are blank. In the map for the Late Summer Handicap Challenge, these cells are coloured pink: the PINK SQUARES. Everyone who visits a PINK SQUARE during the challenge will earn 25 points for their first checklist from each different pentad here (even if someone else also visits the pink square).

 

At the start of the Late Summer Handicap Challenge, there are hundreds of half degree and quarter degree grid cells with no checklists for any of the pentads. There are lists of these on the website. This list will remain static throughout the challenge; even if someone makes a checklist for a pentad before you, you will still earn 10 points. Another way to find the blank quarter degree grid cells is to go the gap analysis on the website. Find the one-degree grid cell in the area you plan to visit. A quarter degree grid cell which is blank is one which is outlined in red (but the gap analysis will be updated during the challenge).

 

There are thousands of pentads with no checklists, and it is not feasible to list them all. But this list will also remain static throughout the challenge; even if someone makes a checklist for a pentad before you, you will still earn five points.

 

The gap analysis on the website is the only way to find the quarter degree grid cells which have only a single blank pentad. This part of the challenge will be dynamic. If someone does the last pentad in the quarter degree grid cell before you, you will get three points for being the second checklist for the pentad!

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