2019 Ultimate Orienteer #6 – Lick Creek (Long)
There will be construction on I-90 between North Bend and Vantage May 6-10 which may impact your travel time. Check the WSDOT traffic alerts or the WSDOT twitter feed for updates.
The Ultimate Orienteer series is the sampler pack of orienteering: each event gives you the opportunity to try a different flavor!
Double Header
The Long distance event is the first part in a double-header weekend in the Teanaway valley. Join us on Saturday for the Long distance event, then stay for Sunday’s Goat at Teanaway Forks.
Camping/Lodging
There’s free camping nearby and a selection of hotels in Cle Elum.
Saturday Social Gathering
We’ve made a reservation at El Caporal in Cle Elum (105 1st St W) starting at 6:00pm for buy-your-own dinner. Join us for food, conversation, and fun.
COURSES
Course designer(s): Chris Whitmyre, Pat Kelly
Course details are provided below.
| Course | Length | Controls | Climb | Classes | Target winning time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 1.7k | 6 | 25m | Solo or group | 25-35 min |
| Intermediate | 3.2k | 8 | 80m | Solo or group | 35-50 min |
| Short Advanced | 5.7k | 10 | 240m | Ultimate Masters Men & Women Ultimate Jr. Women Others (Solo or group) |
45-60 min |
| Medium Advanced | 7.4k | 11 | 315m | Ultimate Jr. Men Ultimate Open Women Others (Solo or group) |
75-95 min |
| Long Advanced | 8.8k | 15 | 440m | Ultimate Open Men Group |
75-95 min |
Water
There will be water on the Advanced courses only, approximately 2/3 through. It could be hot, so if you think you’ll need more, carry your own in a hydration pack or bottle.
Age classes
Juniors – 20 and under
Masters – 50+
Open – any age
Ultimate points
While you can run any course you wish, you will receive Ultimate points in a class only if you qualify by age and sex on that course. Please see the chart below for categories in which you can receive Ultimate points.
| Short Advanced | Medium Advanced | Long Advanced | |
| Women 20 and under | Jr. Women | Open Women | Open Men |
| Men 20 and under | no points* | Jr. Men | Open Men |
| Women 50+ | Masters Women | Open Women | Open Men |
| Men 50+ | Masters Men | no points* | Open Men |
| Women 21-49 | no points* | Open Women | Open Men |
| Men 21-49 | no points* | no points* | Open Men |
*You may run this course but will not receive Ultimate points.
How are courses measured?
Courses are measured as the crow flies, in a direct line from control to control. Unless you have wings, you will travel farther than this distance! Courses are measured in kilometers, so a good rule of thumb is to simply round up to miles to estimate how far you will go. So in a 5 kilometer race, you’ll likely travel up to 5 miles.
COURSE NOTES
OK Kids, this is it – the real thing! The Lick Creek Long event will test your skills, as well as your endurance. Courses are a combination of length and climb, with the goal of having winning times within the OUSA parameters for a Long event and using past results as guidance.
Lengths have been adjusted for climb on a ‘-1 km’ per ‘+100 meter’ basis. Given that times typically range from winning time to 2.5x the winning time, please plan to start early if you are generally slower than the winners. We will have water on the Advanced courses at about the 2/3 mark, but you are advised to bring your own as well.
Lick Creek is a contour-rich environment that alternates between very apparent to quite subtle. Since the area has been taken over by the Department of Natural Resources, access has been limited, with the goal of wildlife habitat restoration. As such, many trails have grown over, and in some cases trails have been purposely planted with small trees. We have attempted to remove trails from the map in the areas of potential route choice, but it may not be perfect. Vegetation levels are also heavier than mapped in many cases (again, lots of new smaller trees). This is particularly true in areas marked as Open Land. This affects the runners’ ability to see contours in the distance. The one bit of good news is the snow has melted off, and the runoff levels are down to the point that all creeks are quite crossable. Also, the dark and medium green areas did not seem as deadly as they once were (drought?). A final note, on our two trips to the site, I found 4 ticks. Have a look for these nasty buggers after your run.
Chris Whitmyre
Pat Kelly
SCHEDULE
10:30 am-12:30 pm – Registration
10:30-11:30 am – Newcomer instruction
11:00 am-1:00 pm – Start
3:00 pm – Courses close*
*If you think you might take a long time on the course, start early in the start window. Also, wear a watch to ensure that you return to the finish by course closure time, even if you have to abandon your course to do so. Those returning after course closure will be disqualified and will make the volunteer staff very grumpy.
Why is there a start window?
This event uses an interval start, which means that participants are started in waves instead of all at once. When you arrive at the start tent, find the chute for your course and follow the start volunteer’s instructions.
PRICES
PRE-REGISTERED
| Non club member | Club member | |
| Using COC epunch | $17 | $12 |
| Using your epunch | $12 | $7 |
DAY-OF REGISTRATION
| Non club member | Club member | |
| Using COC epunch | $20 | $15 |
| Using your epunch | $15 | $10 |
What’s an e-punch?
An e-punch records your race. At each control, you’ll dip the e-punch into an electronic box, which will beep and flash as confirmation. After you finish, you’ll download the e-punch at the download tent and get a receipt that show which controls you visited and how long you took between each; these are your “splits.”
Part of the fun of orienteering is comparing your splits with people who completed the same course, and discussing the routes you took!
SIGN UP
Online pre-registration closes Thursday, May 9 at 9:00 pm
Day-of-event registration is available by cash or check, made payable to Cascade Orienteering Club
LOCATION
PARKING
Please do not park near Registration. There are only a few spots available and event officials will need to use these spots. Plan to take the shuttle we’re providing (see details below).
Shuttle
We are providing a shuttle to transport everyone to and from the registration/check-in area. The shuttle will run as-needed from approximately 10:00am to 3:00pm. Please figure shuttle ride time (5-10 minutes) into your schedule.
Shuttle pick-up location: Teanaway Forks parking area
Shuttle drop-off location: Lick Creek turnaround area
SHUTTLE SCHEDULE
Note: First shift volunteers have priority for the first shuttle run.
10:00am – First shuttle departs Teanaway Forks parking
3:00pm – Last shuttle departs Lick Creek turnaround (we’ll wait for stragglers)
Approximate round-trip time: 15 minutes
ALTERNATIVES
You might also consider parking at Teanaway Forks and riding a bike the approximately 2.5 miles to Lick Creek.
There is also a small parking area 1.5 miles north of Lick Creek gate, from which you could park and bike. We do not recommend walking along North Fork Teanaway Road, as there is not much of a shoulder and vehicles sometimes drive fast.
Discover Pass Required
Lick Creek and Teanaway Forks are part of the Teanaway Community Forest and you will need a Discover Pass to park. You can purchase a Discover Pass (annual or one-day) online or in person at many hunting/fishing license vendors or at several retail locations. Check the Discover Pass website for details.
CARPOOL
Looking for a carpool? Join the Yahoo listserv and share your request to find a ride.
THE MAP
Part of a chain of orienteering maps in the Teanaway Community Forest, Lick Creek is rugged, challenging, and beautiful. There is a ton of contour details and large areas without trails, making this one of Cascade’s most challenging and rewarding maps to navigate. Vegetation becomes quickly outdated here, so do not rely on vegetation alone; contours are your best friend!
New orienteers should consider choosing a shorter or easier course than usual.
Lick Creek is rugged and moderately hilly, with some especially steep areas that nice course designers try to avoid. Deadfall on the ground makes running or hiking more strenuous.
Read more on the map pageSAFETY & ETIQUETTE
Return to the Finish
All participants MUST return to the finish and download their e-punch or turn in their punch card.
Even if you have not finished your course, you must still return to the the finish and confirm with event staff that you have returned safely.
Out of Bounds
Some areas may be marked out of bounds. It is imperative to respect these boundaries to maintain our relationships with land managers. Participants MUST NOT go out of bounds. Any participant caught going out of bounds will be disqualified.
Course Closure
All participants MUST return to the finish by course closure time. If a participant does not return by course closure, event volunteers will begin coordinating a search party.
If you need a long time on the course, start as early in the start window as possible, wear a watch, and be prepared to cut your course short to make it back by the course closure time.
Whistle
All participants MUST carry a whistle on the course. Complimentary whistles are available at the start tent (please only take one).
If you are injured on the course and need assistance, blow three long blasts to call for help.
If you hear a call for help, abandon your course to find the person in distress.
Voices
Part of the fun and fairness of orienteering is navigating your own course, so please be polite when you find a checkpoint and don’t holler that you’ve found it.
