2025 Wednesday Evening #3 – North Seattle College
WEDNESDAY EVENING
Wednesday, June 25 at North Seattle College in Seattle, WA
Meet Director: Will Enger
The third event in the 2024 Wednesday Evening Series will be held at North Seattle College! The Wednesday Evening Series is our most relaxed, casual set of navigation events, held in local parks once the weather (hopefully) warms up. These events are a little more low-key than those in the Winter League, and we typically offer a barbeque afterward for all participants.
Events in the Wednesday Evening Series are generally less challenging (both physically and navigationally) than many of our other events, and are therefore great for beginners and those less experienced with orienteering – while also offering a challenge to longtime participants of the sport.
We will be offering day-of event registration in addition to preregistration. There will be no start time pre-signup.
COURSES
Course designer(s): Will Enger
Course 1 (Beginner) – 1.1 km, 10 controls, 10m climb
Course 2 (Intermediate) – 2.1 km, 11 controls, 20m climb
Course 3 (Advanced) – 2.9 km, 17 controls, 40m climb
Course 4 (2+3) – 5.0 km, 28 controls, 60m climb
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
Which way is up and which way is down? North Seattle College will have you asking this question. Featuring the unique opportunity to figure out whether you need to be “upstairs” or “downstairs,” and wonder whether there will be a wall or a pass-through when you turn the corner, this multi-level campus is small but packs a powerful punch in terms of navigational complexity. This complexity arises from the fact that there are two mapped levels in many areas, and it often takes careful parsing of the map and the control descriptions to determine whether you’ll need to be on the upper level or lower level. Luckily, the campus includes many staircases, so you’ll rarely be far from a way to get up or down when necessary.
Course 1 and Course 2 will generally remain on the lower level, while Course 3 (and thus Course 4) will make full use of the campus’ multi-level buildings, walkways, and staircases. In addition, Course 3 will also take participants to nearby Licton Springs Park, which is a couple blocks west of the college. This will require crossing a few city streets – please cross only at the designated locations not marked out of bounds by the map, be careful when crossing these streets, and obey all traffic laws! We will *not* have crossing guards posted, so you will need to use the crosswalks as would any pedestrian.
SCHEDULE
5:00 pm – Registration and starts open.
7:00 pm – Registration and starts close.
8:00 pm – Course closure.
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 PRICES
$22 base price
– subtract $5 for CascadeOC members
– subtract $5 for using your own e-punch
DAY-OF-EVENT REGISTRATION
$25 base price
– subtract $5 for CascadeOC members
– subtract $5 for using your own e-punch
For day-of-event registration, we’re able to accept cash, check, Venmo, or Zelle.
Participating as a group? Just $5 for each additional adult (18+) group
member, no cost for additional minors.
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:
Day-of-event registration is available by cash or check, made payable to Cascade Orienteering Club.
LOCATION
PARKING
The parking location will be in the lot on the north side of campus accessed from the intersection of College Way N and N 100th St. The event center will be in the grassy field adjacent to the parking lot and the entrance to the pedestrian bridge over Interstate 5.
North Seattle College requires payment for parking via the nearby kiosk. We have been given a discounted rate of $4 whole-day rate per car using a coupon code. Below are the directions from the college:
1. Stop at any pay station when you enter campus.
2. Enter your exact license plate number – watch for typos!
3. Select “Guest” from the menu.
4. Enter coupon code: COC62525
5. Pay $4 via credit or debit card.
6. The 1-day permit is linked to your vehicle license plate. No need to print and
display the ticket.
7. Parking is validated in the Visitor Lots, WEST, EAST, NE, and North Lots.
CARPOOL
Looking for a carpool? Join the club email group and share your request to find a ride.
THE MAP
Which way is up and which way is down? North Seattle College will have you asking this question. Featuring the unique opportunity to figure out whether you need to be “upstairs” or “downstairs,” and wonder whether there will be a wall or a pass-through when you turn the corner.
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.
