2022 Ultimate Orienteer #5 – Teanaway Forks (Long)
Sign up for a start time here.
The walk to the Start is about 1.5 km.
COVID-19
We are not asking you to complete a COVID Assessment Form for this event but please take the following precautions during the event.
- You don’t need to wear a mask at our events if you are vaccinated, but mask wearing is encouraged in congested areas or if you are not vaccinated and near others
- Please stay home if you are sick; we’ll happily refund your entry fee if you have tested positive for COVID-19
- Keep a six foot distance from others when it is practical, or at least avoid being in close proximity for a long time in still air
- Limit touching of shared surfaces and items, and clean your hands before and after
Thank you for helping us keep our events safe and fun for you and everyone else!
Event #5/7 in the Ultimate Orienteer Series!
Teanaway Weekend – Day 2
Teanaway Weekend concludes with a Long format event at Teanaway Forks.
- Saturday, May 14 – Dickey Creek Score-O
- Sunday, May 15– Teanaway Forks, Long
Camping/Lodging
There’s free camping near Teanaway and a selection of hotels in Cle Elum.
Other things to do
See Discover Cle Elum for information about things to do in and near Cle Elum.
There will be pre-registration only, no day-of registration.
COURSES
Course designer(s): Eric Jones
- Beginner – 3.2km, 70m climb, 8 controls
- Intermediate – 4.9km, 105m climb, 8 controls
- Short Advanced – 6.4km, 160m climb, 12 controls
- Medium Advanced – 8.6km, 225m climb, 12 controls
- Long Advanced – 11.8km, 410m climb, 18 controls
Teanaway Forks is rolling, sometimes complex terrain including a mix of open grassland, pine forests of various density, and a few thicker areas. A trail network crosses much of the map, and many un-maped indistinct trails are present as well. On the advanced courses, navigation using terrain features is key. Look ahead and be sure you have a good attack point and are thumbing your map to keep up with features as you move off trail. In some cases re-locating via terrain will be required to prevent a long trip back to a trail. The beginner course stays almost entirely on trails, and Intermediate remains near trails while presenting opportunities to test your skills with off trail shortcuts. It has been wet in Teanaway this spring, so expect some trails to be totally flooded (including on the beginner course, sorry!) and marshy areas will be wet but crossable.
This event uses a remote start – there is a 1.5km walk from check-in to the start area, be sure to arrive on time and leave time to walk to the start! The finish is just up the hill from check-in, but still in the terrain. Remember that you must check out with volunteers at the download table before you leave!
What is my age class?
Long-O Course/Class Assignments for Ultimate points
If you want to earn Ultimate points, check the table below to see which category you should sign up for. Find your age class in the left column, then follow the row across to the right until you find the dark orange cell. That is your “assigned” category.
For example, if you’re a female 16 or under, your Ultimate age class is F-16 and, for this event, is assigned to the Intermediate course. If you are up for a more challenging course, you can also earn points in F-18 on Short Advanced, or F-21+ on Medium Advanced. Just keep in mind that other courses are more difficult, both navigationally and physically. Also keep in mind that you’ll be earning points only in the class you sign up for.
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
Check back later for special notes from the Course Designer(s).
SCHEDULE
Pre-registration only!
9:00am-12:15pm – Check-in
9:30am-12:30pm – Starts (start times are pre-assigned; sign up for a start time (form provided soon) before Thursday at 9pm; if you don’t, we’ll pick one for you)
2:30pm – Courses close*
*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-registration only!
$22 base price
– subtract $5 for CascadeOC members
– subtract $5 for using your own e-punch
-running as a group? Add $5 for each additional adult (16+) group member, no charge for additional children. Max group size is 3 due to COVID restrictions.
Become a member here.
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
LOCATION
PARKING
Discover Pass Required
This venue 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 our Google mail group 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 pageEMERGENCY/FIRST AID
If you have a medical emergency, call 911. Cell reception is not guaranteed at the event site. You may have to drive 4 or 5 miles to get reception.
Closest emergency facility
Kittitas Valley Health Care (Level IV Trauma Center, 30 miles)
603 S. Chestnut Street
Ellensburg WA 98926
509.962.9841
emergency open 24/7
KVH Urgent Care (non-emergency care, 16 miles)
214 W. 1st Street
Cle Elum WA 98922
509.674.6944
open 10am-10pm daily
SAFETY & 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.
