So what is Orienteering ("O")?

FUN!!! Adventure!
The "Thinking Sport"
"Cunning Running"
"Map Hiking" or "Map Racing" (you decide!)

Orienteering is simply the greatest individual-participatory recreation/sport in the world combining physical and mental activity. Using a detailed map (provided), you walk, jog or run at your own pace as you figure out how to get to specified "control points" circled on the map and marked on the ground by a flag similiar to the above graphic. How you get from point to point is your choice as long as you stay "in bounds" of course. "Route-choice" is the essence of this game! A slow but clever navigator can outperform a faster but careless runner.

Many families with young children participate as a small group and simply enjoy a "tour" of the park as they walk around an easy O course. All ages and levels of fitness enjoy this sport.

Orienteering is the sport of land navigation and develops your ability to find your way in the woods. As your route-finding skills improve, your confidence and self-reliance grow as well. There is a lot of country off the trails and experienced orienteers have the ability to explore it.

Sounds great! How can I play this game?

Simply show up at any local O Meet--NO pre-registration is needed. As Mal Harding put it "we'll greet 'em with open arms, ... and a map!" You may begin your course anytime within the "Start Times" listed for an O Meet, usually a 2-hour time window. Please allow time for Registration and also a Beginner Clinic at your first O Meet.

For your first O Meet, ask for a "Beginner Clinic" where all this will be explained. You can take a look at an Instructors outline for a Beginner Clinic.

Here's what to do when you show up at an O Meet:

1) Check out the courses offered and choose the one most suitable for your skill level:

• WHITE (Novice): short and very easy.

• YELLOW (Advanced Beginner): rather easy; designed along strong linear features. Good first course if you have some map-reading experience.

• ORANGE (Intermediate): designed around distinct features, but good navigational skills are required to find them.

• Advanced Courses (BROWN, GREEN, RED, BLUE): difficult, sometimes extremely difficult! The only difference between these courses is length with Brown being short and Blue very long (up to 12km!) Please, do not attempt an advanced course at your first O Meet! We want you to have a fun experience, not to leave frustrated!

2) Fill out a registration form, pay a few bucks (usually about $5)
and receive your map (if not pre-marked).

Fill out your Registration Form as you plan to participate. If you run (or walk) solo (recommended), fill out your own form. If a small group of you plans to participate together, all of your names go on the same Registration Form as you share your entry and your map.

3) If maps are not pre-printed, go to the Master Map table and copy the course you plan to run onto your map. Neatness counts! The control flag will be set in the exact center of the control circle as drawn on the master map.

4) Go to the START to begin. Please do NOT take off without being checked out at the START!

From the Start (triangle on the map) go to the first control (circled on the map with #1), then go to #2, #3, etc... in order.

[A "Score-O" format is different. Your map will have all available controls on it and you will have a specified time limit in which to find as many controls as possible. Generally the more distant and difficult controls will be worth more points.]

It should take you about an hour to complete an O course. A Beginner Course might only take you 30 minutes while an advanced course might require a couple hours! Generally there is a 3-hour time limit. There might also be a specific "QUIT TIME" after which the courses are being taken down.

5) Make sure to go to the FINISH (double circle on the map) whether you complete your course or not--we need to know who is still out in the woods! Please don't cause an unnecessary search.

What do I need to bring?

Basically, just dress as you would for a hike or a run. On Intermediate and Advanced courses, off-trail "bushwacking" might suggest long sleeves and rugged jeans, but serious orienteers actually wear light nylon running suits with gaiters over their shins. "Sensible shoes" are the most important item.

A compass really isn't necessary for Beginner courses! But if you have one, by all means bring it and we'll show you how to use it.

You might want to carry a canteen or water bottle, especially on a hot day.

Bring a few bucks for registration.

Show me a map, please!

Here's Terradan's BattleGround Lake State Park map with a sample O course.

Where and when is the next O meet?

Contact your regional O Club website for their schedule:

Columbia River Orienteering Club (Vancouver, WA/Portland Oregon)

Cascade Orienteering Club (Seattle area)

(Sadly, I must report that CHUCKO, the Chuckanut Orienteering Club, is no longer active. Too few leaders and too few maps made it impossible for CHUCKO to maintain a regular O-meet schedule and build membership.)

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