What is Orienteering?
Orienteering is a fun and challenging outdoor activity in which participants navigate their way on foot, using only map and compass, along trails (beginners), or cross-country (expert), or a combination of both (intermediate). Orienteering events are held in woodlands, deserts, grasslands, city parks, or almost anywhere outdoors, and each event is divided into several levels of difficulty: from a fun, non-competitive family outing, to a challenging competitive sport. Events are also attended by serious outdoorsmen and women who want to practice map and compass skills in a safe, controlled setting.
For more information about orienteering check out the FAQ's below and visit Orienteering USA's New to Orienteering page.
What happens at an orienteering event? Top
Each participant is given a map marked with a series of checkpoints to be visited. In order to complete the course, the participant must navigate to each of these checkpoints and back to the starting point. The object is to use navigational ability to take the best route to each checkpoint.
Do I need to have a certain navigational skill? Top
At each event, there are several courses offered which are rated in length and difficulty, from beginner to expert. Beginner courses are typically along trails and other easy-to-follow routes. Intermediate courses are partially on trails and partially cross-country. Expert courses are on difficult-to-follow cross-country routes.
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What type of map will I use? Top
Orienteering maps are specially prepared topographic maps showing in detail the terrain encountered in the forest or desert.
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How can I learn how to orienteer? Top
At almost every meet there is a free orienteering clinic in which beginners learn the basic navigation techniques and rules of the game, before participating on the course. Intermediate clinics are also offered.
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What equipment do I need? Top
A beginning orienteer should be fit enough to walk at a leisurely pace for about one mile, in an hour, over easy terrain. Expert orienteers are trained endurance athletes, walking or running for many hours over rugged terrain. Wear comfortable clothes appropriate to the season, long pants, a hat, and walking shoes or hiking boots. Many racers wear trail runners or specialized orienteering shoes for cross-country terrain. The only specialized equipment you will need is a compass and whistle. If you forget these items, compasses and whistles are available at the event for a small fee.
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Is it safe to go off the trails? Top
If navigating in the outdoors sounds a little scary, then an orienteering event is the place to be. The beginner courses are in carefully selected areas, safely contained within recognizable boundaries so it is almost impossible to get truly lost. In addition, each participant's start and finish time is monitored so that anyone who is overdue will be rounded up by skilled orienteers.
Photo Credit: Mark Parsons
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How much does it cost? Top
The entry fee for most Tucson Orienteering Club meets is $10 for an individual or $15 for a team. This is reduced to $5 and $8 for members. Renting a compass or buying a whistle will add $1 each.
How much time is involved in attending an event? Top
Aside from driving time, which varies, you should plan for two to four hours at most events.
What is that card with the cryptic symbols on it? Top
This is a feature description card, also known as a clue card. It provides additional information to the orienteer about the terrain feature at each control, including the verification code, the type of feature and its characteristics, the placement of the marker on the control feature, and other relevant information. This information is provided in text form for beginning level courses.
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Orienteering Video
World Champion Thierry Gueorgiou shows us how it's done in this video. To see more videos about orienteering, visit Orienteering USA's Orienteering Videos page.
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