Orienteer

Do you ever find yourself wishing that you could go on a competitive scavenger hunt? Orienteering might just be what you're looking for. It combines racing against other participants while navigating between points on a map. While this may sound simple, it requires skill with a compass, accuracy, and technical knowledge of the sport. Prepare yourself, choose a course, and start having fun!

Steps

Preparing to Orienteer

  1. Dress appropriately. You should be comfortable, but keep in mind that you'll probably be running for stretches of the course. Wear hiking or trail shoes. Long-sleeve shirts and pants will help cut down on insect bites.[1]
    • Check local weather conditions before you orienteer. This will help you dress for any potential weather scenarios.
  2. Gather your supplies. You'll need to bring a compass or buy one at registration. A whistle will come in useful if you get lost. Bring along some water, especially if you'll be running a lot.
    • You'll be given a map of the course, so don't bring along any maps of the area.
  3. Register for a course. You'll be asked to specify a skill level. As a beginner, you should start with a white or yellow course. These run about 2 to 3.5 kilometers and usually follow trails.[1] You'll then be given a map of the course, control descriptions, and might be given an electronic punch.
    • More advanced courses run anywhere from 3.5 to 10 kilometers and are mainly off trail.

Participating in a Basic Orienteering Course

  1. Study your map. When you start your race, take a moment to look at the topographical map which will consist of a start, a series of control sites connected by lines and numbered in the order they are to be visited, and a finish.
    • Your start will be a red or pink triangle. Control sites are circles connected by lines. You don't have to strictly follow the lines, but you do need to visit the circles in the order given. The finish is noted by two concentric circles.[2]
  2. Orient your compass with your map. Your map will have an arrow indicating north. It may also have north lines. These are thin lines over your map that point north. Line your compass arrow with the map's arrow or north lines.
    • Your map will be topographic. Topographic maps show contours, which shows you the terrain of the course. It also shows vegetation and other less important features than tracks. For example, white is open woods, green is bushy underbrush, orange is open fields, and light brown or tan show paved areas.[2]
  3. Look for your first control site. This is indicated on your map by a circle with a 1. Your control descriptions sheet will also briefly describe the control. These are sometimes called clues. At the control site, you'll see an orange and white control flag.
    • If you reach the control and find that the description doesn't match the control description, you are probably at the wrong control. For example, if the description states a control is on a post, but you're at a bench, you're at the wrong control.
  4. Punch your card or electronic dibber. When you reach a correct control, you must prove that you were there. The control flag will have a unique plastic punch or an electronic box for you to dib.
    • It is important to leave the control site right away, because standing next to the control for too long will give away the position to all following runners. You destroy their fun, and could accidentally allow them to catch up to you if you're competing.
  5. Race to the next control site. Check your map before moving on to the next site. Make sure your compass is aligned with your map's arrow before continuing on. Visit all the control sites in order.
    • Take your time when starting out. Running from control sites without relying on your map can cause you to get lost. Once you've gotten the hang of finding control sites, try to increase your speed. As you become more comfortable, you'll be able to go faster and be more competitive.
  6. Find the finish. Once you've visited all the control sites in order, look for the concentric circles on your map. Use your compass to make sure you're headed in that direction.
    • If you decide to abort the course, you MUST check out at the finish table. Be aware that otherwise concerned people will spend their night searching for you in the forest!

Learning an Advanced Technique: The Attack Point

  1. Decide on an attack point. Once you have progressed to intermediate or advanced levels, controls will not be visible or reachable from trails alone. You need to think about how you want to find a specific control. Attack points allow you to get close to your control site without giving the location away to your opponents.
    • An attack point is a point that is easily reachable and identifiable (so you will not err about where you currently are), but is as near as possible to the control you are looking for. For example, an attack point is often on a trail, right at a distinctive bend, or where a vegetation boundary is cut by the trail. It can also be anything else that you can easily identify.
  2. Check the map for any catching features. A catching feature is something that is behind your target control, easily recognizable, and is wide enough so you can't miss it. A typical example is the next trail, but it could be a river, power line, or high ridge. When you hit that catch feature, you know you missed the control, so stop and plan a new attack.
  3. Get to the attack point. Make sure you definitely know where you are before moving on. You can travel faster to the attack point.
    • Your attack point should be a noticeable feature, so you shouldn't need to constantly use your compass to locate it. For example, if a cliff face is your attack point, you should be able to run along your set path and realize when you've reached the cliff face.
  4. Use your compass to locate the control site. Check with the map to see how far and in what direction to travel from your attack point.
    • At this point, you should be careful about giving your position (and the control site's position) away to nearby opponents. Avoid simply running from the attack point to the control site.

Tips

  • Bring a whistle. Use three short blasts to call for help.
  • Know the security direction (the compass direction for the sure way out). It is typically printed or given at the start.
  • If you are really lost and too exhausted to go very far, stay at a control or on a trail. That way, Search & Rescue can find you easier.
  • When planning longer legs, be aware of different speeds you can reach on different grounds. On a good trail, you are always faster than in the forest, and the chance to get lost is zero. A well-planned (advanced) course will make it ineffective to use trails.

Things You'll Need

  • A whistle
  • Water - bring more if you'll be running a more advanced course or running in hot weather.
  • Course map and control card from registration
  • Compass
  • If you want to bring a GPS to record your wanderings, that is ok; but using a GPS at anytime is CHEATING. Again, it might be handy when you're lost.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.dvoa.org/learn/begin/beginfaq.php
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.dvoa.org/learn/begin/whatiso.php

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