Ultimate Orienteer #10: Classic

The Ultimate Orienteer series is the sampler pack of orienteering: each event gives you the opportunity to try a different flavor!

The tenth event in the series is: THE CLASSIC! A classic is an all-around test of skills.

Hosted by our friends in the Eastern Washington Orienteering Club, the Classic at Riverside State Park will be a ton of fun in beautiful, open forests. Combine it with the Goat at Fishtrap on Saturday for a weekend of orienteering fun!

COURSES

Course designer(s): John Beck

ESTIMATED
White (beginner) – less than 3km
Orange (intermediate) – 5 to 6km
Green (short advanced) – 5 to 6km
Red (long advanced) – 6 to 7km

ULTIMATE CATEGORIES
Open Men/Women – Red
Masters Men/Women – Green
Jr. Men/Women – Green

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 about 5 miles.

COURSE NOTES

This event is hosted by Eastern Washington Orienteering Club
This event will be using old-fashioned punch cards instead of e-punch.
There is no online registration for this event, only day-of-event registration. To let the organizers know you’re coming and help ensure that enough maps are printed, e-mail John Beck.

SCHEDULE

8:30am – Registration opens
9:30am – Start opens
10:00am – Registration closes
11:30am – Start closes
2:30pm – Course closes

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

There is no online registration for this event, only day-of-event registration. To let the organizers know you’re coming and help ensure that enough maps are printed, e-mail John Beck.

White course – $7
Orange course – $9
Green course – $12
Red course – $12

SIGN UP

Registration for this event is through Eastern Washington Orienteering Club. There is no online pre-registration, only on-site registration. You may email John Beck to inform EWOC that you are planning to attend and which course you will run, to help ensure that enough maps are printed.

LOCATION

Turn-by-turn directions:

FROM SEATTLE

I-90 East
Take exit 280
Turn left onto S Walnut, which takes you across the Maple Street bridge and turns into N Maple St.
Turn left/west onto W Northwest Blvd.
Turn right onto N Cochran St.
The street will bend left and turn into N Driscoll Blvd.
Continue straight onto WA-291 W / W Nine Mile Rd. / W Francis Ave.
Turn left on 7 Mile Road and follow the orienteering signs
A Discover Pass is required to park at Riverside State Park

Turn-by-turn directions:

FROM SEATTLE

I-90 East
Take exit 280
Turn left onto S Walnut, which takes you across the Maple Street bridge and turns into N Maple St.
Turn left/west onto W Northwest Blvd.
Turn right onto N Cochran St.
The street will bend left and turn into N Driscoll Blvd.
Continue straight onto WA-291 W / W Nine Mile Rd. / W Francis Ave.
Turn left on 7 Mile Road and follow the orienteering signs
A Discover Pass is required to park at Riverside State Park

PARKING

A Discover Pass is required to park, and there is no on-site pay station. You can purchase a Discover Pass online and print a temporary pass until your pass arrives in the mail. You can also purchase a pass in-person at various retail locations.

CARPOOL

Looking for a carpool? Join the Yahoo listserv and share your request to find a ride.

THE MAP

This Riverside State Park orienteering map was produced and is owned by our friends at Eastern Washington Orienteering Club.

Feeling a bit scuffed up from thick Western Washington forests? Take a trip to the east side to frolic through “white” open forest, and “yellow” open land. Camping and a gorgeous river are nearby, making it a real summer treat.

Navigational Challenge: 7/10

Physical Challenge: 6/10

CAMPING

Reserve campsites online for the Bowl and Pitcher or Nine Mile Recreation Area, and finish the day camping with friends!

riverside-camping

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.