New Orienteer's FAQ
- What should I wear orienteering?
- Basically, whatever is comfortable. It is advisable to wear long pants and long sleeves to help reduce the chance of picking up ticks.
- What kind of shoes should I wear?
- Hiking shoes are always appropriate, but many people wear trail running shoes. As your orienteering skills progress, you may want to move up to specially made orienteering shoes.
- What [other] equipment do I need?
- Each group must have at least one whistle, which is used only in an emergency. Whistles can be purchased at registration for $1.00. A compass is a very useful orienteering tool, but secondary to map reading skills. Beginners courses are designed such that you shouldn't need a compass, so keep it in your pocket as much as possible. This will let you concentrate on your map reading skills. A limited number of compasses are available to rent for $1.00 plus a $10.00 deposit, ask at registration.
- What do all those colors mean?
- White - beginners. Length is generally 2 - 3km. Course is on trails and/or fields
- Yellow - advanced beginners. Length is 2 - 3.5km. Mostly trails and fields with some route choice
- Orange - intermediates. Length is 3.5 - 4.5km. Mix of off trail and trail, route choice, catching features
- Brown - short advanced course. Length is 3 - 4km. Off trail (not always offered)
- Green is an advanced course. Length is 4 - 5km. Off trail
- Red is a longer advanced course. Length is 6-8km. Off trail
- Blue is the longest advanced course. Length is 8 - 10km. Off trail (not always offered)
- Which course should I go on?
- Usually beginner's will go on a White course. If you have some experience with map reading and have spent time hiking you might want to try a Yellow course. Since every course is different, talk it over with the event director before you start out.
- How do I find the event?
First,
check out the schedule
and select an event you would like to attend. The
schedule lists basic directions for finding the
park. If you need more specific directions contact
the event director. Once you get close to the park,
look for the orienteering O' signs (shown at right)
to guide you to the parking area. - What happens when I arrive at an event?
- Find the registration table, sign in, and pay the map fee ($4.00 per map for members, $5 for scouts, $7.00 per map for non-members), and pick up a pink card. Then proceed to the start and check in with the start crew. They will give you a map and assign you a start time. When your start time is announced, off you go!
- >How do I find the event director?
- Ask anyone around you. If they don't know, keep asking. Orienteers like to see new people, so are generally ready and willing to help a newcomer.
- I don't have the faintest idea how to read a map. Will there be someone available to help me the first time?
- Yes - tell the event director you are a beginner and need some instruction. They will either help you directly or arrange for someone to help. If you know in advance which event you will be attending, call the event director prior to the event and make arrangements for instruction directly with the event director.
- Can I go as part of a group?
- Yes - Groups are always welcome and they can share a map, although if desired a map can be purchased for each member of the group.
- What is a "catching" feature?
- A catching feature is an obvious landmark, often linear (trail, stream, road) that is behind the control feature. It acts as a "catching" feature because if you miss the control you will encounter the "catching" feature within a very short distance beyond the control.
- Is there anything I need to be cautious about in the woods?
- This area has one of the highest concentrations of deer ticks anywhere in the country. Wearing long pants and long sleeves can help. Sprays and other types of repellents can also work. It is always a good idea to check yourself very carefully when you are finished. In late summer bees sometimes become aggressive. Take necessary precautions if you are allergic to bee stings. Poison Ivy is common in some areas. (Poison sumac is rare and Poison Oak doesn't grow in this area).
- Where can I learn more about orienteering?
- There are numerous sites on the web offering how-to advice for orienteering. An excellent resource is Heather William's Page. Another site explaining map reading and using the compass is Interstate Hiking Club.