Delaware Valley Orienteering Association

Topic created by rpboehme on Wed Nov 21, 2012 at 9:48 am

rpboehme
Num Posts: 129
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map: Nolde
First O: 2012

Good Morning All,

One of the greatest features of this site is the RouteGadget and the availability of the courses on the maps.  With a little photoshop ans such, I can piece together a map for any course level I would like to experiment with.  However; I was wondering where one might find Clue Sheets for these courses, like the paper versions we get at events.  For example, I would like to be able to actually seek what is being described, like a 're-entrant' or a '4 m boulder' and practice my clue sheet deciphering.  As a person who just moved up from yellow to orange, this was for me the largest step up in abilities needed.  That, and the more challenging and fun map reading and following skills required.  So, in an effort to properly reconstruct a course, I lack the clue sheets to tell me what I am to look for.  You all have been so helpful in the past, so I am sure that somebody will have an answer for this.

With us approaching the winter doldrums, I was also wondering if there are opportunities to get out and practice O on the occaisional mild winter day.  As I live on the northern hinterlands of the greater Lehigh Valley (with Steve/Sharon/Patty/Len that I am aware), there is not as many places to practice my skills as I would have down in the greater Philly area.  Still, I am willing to make the trip to continue improving my skills.

Thanks again for all of the help up to this point.  See you all (hopefully) at Antietam.

Rich

Reply by ErikEddy on Wed Nov 21, 2012 at 11:08 am

ErikEddy
Num Posts: 410
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map: Mount Penn Antietam
First O: 1998

Hickory Run has a permanent course (advanced/intermediate) if you are close to there...

Reply by edscott on Wed Nov 21, 2012 at 2:03 pm

edscott
Num Posts: 703
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map: Hickory Run 1:15000
First O: 1983

Yes, doing the Hickory Run advanced permanent course is a good idea.  They have them at the park office and the club has copies in case you might go up there when the office isn't open. The clue sheets for past courses aren't anywhere on the website as far as I know, but you could use the features on the map to determine the best description and print your own with the clue program which can be downloaded from the website.  If you print some of your own you'll learn the symbols.

Reply by furlong47 on Wed Nov 21, 2012 at 3:43 pm

furlong47
Num Posts: 372
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map: Bucks County Community College
First O: 1994

There's an online game you can use to help you learn the clue description symbols here

They also have one for map symbols