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An Introduction to Orienteering
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ShareA step by step guide on what you need to know to be successful at orienteering
Orienteering involves navigating with a compass and traveling on foot, by bike, on skis, or snowshoes, to a series of checkpoints indicated on a map (detailed orienteering maps might include landmarks like boulders and even changes in vegetation density). Participants plot their routes (on-the-go) to reach all the points and get back to the finish line in the shortest amount of time. Checkpoints are marked with orange and white flags (you’ve probably seen these when out hiking) and are equipped with punches or electronic devices that prove you’ve been to that “control”. Racers are engaged mentally and physically as they combine map reading ability and decision-making skills with physical fitness and the outdoors.
There are no shortage of orienteering events (and cult-like devotees who’ll be delighted to share their love of the sport with you) in Canada. The Canadian Orienteering Federation’s website (http://www.orienteering.ca) lists clubs which host year-round events taking place from Salmon Arm, British Columbia, to Uxbridge, Ontario, to Rumsey, Alberta, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Some are competitive and others are more recreational in nature. There are weeknight training events in urban parks and other events that combine activities like snowshoeing or mountain biking. Races vary in length from Sprints (12–15 minutes), to Middle Distance (30-35 minutes) and Long Distance (70-90 minutes). (These times represent the expected winning times.) Rogaines are longer-distance team events that can range from two to twenty-four hours. Teams of two to five members try to maximize their score by hitting as many checkpoints in the allotted time as possible.
Aside from orienteering as a sport, basic navigation skills are important for anyone heading into the backcountry. A good topographic map, a magnetic compass and some orienteering knowledge are basic requirements for backcountry users.
Orienteering Step-by-Step
By Nina Wallace
Getting ready
Some adventure-based sports use government topographic maps which are not outfitted with magnetic north lines. Many people set the declination on their compasses; however, the best navigators in the world know the importance of keeping maps oriented. This can only be done properly by using magnetic north lines. Figure out the declination, and then mark new magnetic north lines on your map.
Thumbs Up
Start by finding your location on the map. Fold your map so that you can easily hold the map with your thumb marking your location. Right-handed people tend to carry maps in their left hands.
Keeping Oriented
You should always have your map turned so that all the features in the terrain are aligned with your map. This is the most important skill you can acquire. Look at the terrain and identify the features that are mapped and then turn your map so they match. If there’s a lake on your left, you want to turn your map so the symbol for the lake is located to the left of your thumb. The easiest way to orient your map is to use your compass. While holding the compass flat, look for the north needle. Line up this needle with the newly drawn north lines on your map. Once they are parallel, your map is oriented.
Make a Plan
Divide each part of the race into manageable pieces. Plan backwards. Look to the checkpoint you are going to and identify what is called an attack point – a large feature that you are confident you can find. Scan the map and try to find handrails (linear features like ridges, trails, marshes) that you can follow. Often you will use a series of these handrails to get you from one checkpoint to your attack point and then on to the next checkpoint. Also pick out catching features – linear features perpendicular to your route which will “catch” you if you go too far.
Nina Wallace is the founder of Backwoods Adventures, which runs orienteering events and navigation clinics across southwestern Ontario. http://www.dontgetlost.ca
News from the Woods
Canmore Nordic Center Provincial Park home to state-of-the-art permanent orienteering courses
Canmore Nordic Center in Canmore, Alberta, is now home to a set of three permanent orienteering courses. A partnership among the Canmore Nordic Center, Trail Sports, and the Foothills Wanderers Orienteering Club, with financial support from the Alberta Government, the courses are expected to be popular with a wide range of groups including: adventure racers wanting to improve their navigation skills, school groups, families, running groups, mountain bike clubs, hiking groups, tourists and corporate team-building groups.
The courses of varying difficulty (Green, Blue and Black) will change three times per year, spring, summer and fall, offering new challenges and the opportunity to explore different areas within the Park. “I have designed the courses to provide a series of stepping stones for people to improve their orienteering skills, starting from the basics of simple map reading along trails, to more technical navigation requiring shortcuts through the forest and with checkpoints off the trails”, says course designer Adrian Zissos.
“The great thing about the permanent courses is that they allow individuals and groups to learn and enjoy orienteering on their own schedule – the courses are always available. We hope that this ease of access will attract more people to take part in the sport and develop more orienteering skills. The permanent courses are a great way to learn the fundamentals of orienteering”, says Charlotte MacNaughton, President of the Canadian Orienteering Federation and former national team member.
To access the courses, visit Trail Sports at the Canmore Nordic Centre. The cost is $5 and you will receive an orienteering map (to keep) and the rental of an electronic timing chip and compass. Upon completion, your time is recorded, so you’ll be able to challenge yourself on your next time out! http://www.gateway.cd.gov.ab.ca
The Lingo
Courtesy of the good folks at Barebones Orienteering (http://www.barebones.ca)
Punch A device at the control that you use to prove you were there. (Often a pin-punch.) In bigger races, it will be an electronic device.
Emit An electronic timing system in common use in Scandinavia. It is the major competitor to SportIdent. Runners carry a credit-card sized ‘brick’ that they touch to an Emit ‘punch’ unit at each control site. It provides a silent punch and an automatic backup if either the punch or brick should fail.
ISOM International Standards for Orienteering Maps. Defines all the symbols used on Foot-O maps.
Re-Entrant Perhaps the most confusing of all orienteering lingo. A re-entrant is what most people would call a small gully. Re-entrants are represented on a map by a u-shaped bends in a contour line. They can be very shallow in the terrain or very, very, deep and are commonly used as locations for controls.
Open Forest Open forest has trees far apart and very little under-brush. Running is fast and easy and fun. Marked on the map with white background.
Un-Crossable Feature (stream/fence/marsh) These are features that you are not allowed to cross, even though you might think you could cross them. They are marked on the map as un-crossable using special symbols. It is important to know the symbols. Features are marked as un-crossable usually for safety reasons, but also often as specified by the landowner.
