2019 Ultimate Orienteer #7 – Teanaway Forks (Goat)
Join us for a goat event in the Teanaway Valley. For this event, we’ll offer three long-distance courses with a twist: skip 1 or 2 controls (depending on which course you do) of your choice. We’ll also have a beginner course.
Double Header
The Goat event is the second part in a double-header weekend in the Teanaway valley. Join us on Saturday for the Long distance event at Lick Creek, then stay for Sunday’s Goat at Teanaway Forks.
Find out more about Goat events!
Skipped Controls
As is often the case in a Goat event, you are permitted to skip one or more non-consecutive controls, depending on which course you do. The following is permitted.
Zygoat – 1 skip
Kid – 2 skips (non-consecutive)
Goat – 2 skips (non-consecutive)
PLEASE pre-register online if possible so we can get a more accurate map count. Since there are mass starts, we cannot reuse the maps.
COURSES
Course designer(s): Nikolay Nachev
Beginner – 2.0k, 6 controls, 75m climb
Zygoat – 5.2k, 12 controls, 205m climb
Kid (Ultimate Masters; Ultimate Juniors) – 7.8k, 17 controls, 280m climb
Goat (Ultimate Open) – 12.8k, 25 controls, 535m climb
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.
| Zygoat | Kid | Goat | |
| Women 20 and under | no points* | Jr. Women | Open Women |
| Men 20 and under | no points* | Jr. Men | Open Men |
| Women 50+ | no points* | Masters Women | Open Women |
| Men 50+ | no points* | Masters Men | Open Men |
| Women 21-49 | no points* | no points* | Open Women |
| 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
Race Format
The race will be held in the famous Goat format which is a scientific term in orienteering circles for a course where you can skip one or more controls as you run. Refer above for a detailed description of the rules as it could be quite beneficial and satisfying to outmaneuver your fellow competitors (it is, isn’t it). 🙂
Rocks
On the longer courses you might be running over flat open rock. Be careful if the slabs are moist as it could be slippery. There are very few cliffs and single rocks on the map so they can be a good navigational help.
Road Network
There is a moderate amount of large trails and jeep roads. Those should be your friend. Cross country travel is rough at Teanaway and any chance to travel on trails should not be discounted. That being said, some of the indistinct trails could be really indistinct and hard to notice if crossed perpendicularly. I’ve removed some of those from the map that might affect route choice, and you should not rely on them for navigation or relocation. On the flip side, when venturing off trail, you may find some un-mapped trails. Wild animals as well as cows are some of the full time and part time residents so new trails do appear. Do your best to keep track of distance, or take a bearing to verify if the trail you’ve found points the direction you expect.
Vegetation
Vegetation on the map can be used as general guidelines but has changed enough that your navigation should rely on contours, major trails, and rocky features. The undergrowth layer is generally more crossable than usual here, and visibility is pretty good through it, as the cool spring has not allowed for the leaves to grow yet. But it is still slower.
Terrain
The area varies from flattish valleys to moderately steep features. Contours should be your other main tool for navigation along with the trail network. Picking routes that will save you some climbing could be beneficial and you will thank yourself for doing so in the later parts of the course.
Water features
The water feature levels are pretty close to what is shown on the map. There hasn’t been much rain recently and the snow’s been gone for a few weeks now. If you find yourself wading waist deep in water, you are probably leaving the map via one of the Teanaway river forks and we don’t want to do that. Please turn around in that case and don’t tell anyone; your friends will think something is wrong with you, trust me, I know.
Weather
It will be hot, you will be out there for a good chunk of time and most probably you will already be tired from Saturday’s race. Take some time to plan your hydration strategy for the day and bring a hydration pack with you if you are not comfortable with the one or two water stops that will be provided on the course.
Enjoyment
Take a moment to enjoy the area as it offers some spectacular views as well as some unique land features and a few spooky damp valleys.
Safety Bearing
If you are unable to relocate (oh, nooo), head south to a gravel road or the river, then east, or downstream, to get back to the start/finish area (sorry).
Final notes
Enjoy your day out there, hydrate and stay safe, don’t do anything I would do.
Nikolay
Water
There will be at least one water stop on the Goat, Kid, and Zygoat courses. It could be hot, so if you think you’ll need more, please carry water in a hydration pack or bottle.
SCHEDULE
8:00-8:45 am – Registration
8:00-8:30 am – Newcomer instruction
8:50 am – map handout, Goat (no peeking)
9:00 am – Goat mass start
9:05 am – map handout, Kid/Zygoat (no peeking)
9:15 am – Kid/Zygoat mass start
9:30-11:30 – Beginner course open
2:30 pm – Courses close (return to Download by this time to avoid disqualification)*
*If you think you might take a long time on the course, consider doing a shorter course. 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.
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
Discover Pass Required
Teanaway Forks is 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, Teanaway Forks (or “Teanaway Valley”) is rugged, challenging, and beautiful. There is a fair amount of contour details and lots of open pine forest and grassland. However, 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.
Teanaway Forks 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.
