Winter League #1
Winter League is the Pacific Northwest’s premier competitive orienteering series for all ages. Elementary, Middle School, and High School students compete under the banner of the Washington Interscholastic Orienteering League (WIOL). Cascade Orienteering Club also offers a competitive league for college students and adults, as well as non-competitive beginner-friendly categories at every event!
COURSES
Course designer(s): Pat Kelly and Serge Smirnov
| Course | Controls | Length | Climb |
| Beginner / Elementary | 14 | 1.4 km | 25 m |
| Middle School | 12 | 1.5 km | 30 m |
| Intermediate / JV Girls | 12 | 2.7 km | 35 m |
| JV Boys North | 12 | 2.7km | 35 m |
| JV Boys South | 13 | 2.5 km | 35 m |
| Varsity | 15 | 3.4 km | 60 m |
| Short Advanced | 17 | 3.5 km | 45m |
| Long Advanced | 20 | 5.8 km | 110 m |
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
Environmental Concerns: In order to hold a meet here, the management at Lincoln Park gave us a few conditions.
1 – Stay away from newly planted areas. Four of these have been marked with vertical magenta stripes as out-of –bounds. If you see any new plantings we missed, please go around them.
2 – Stay off cliffs and steep vertical banks. My main concern is the banks which are zig-zagged by trails and paths at the south end of the park. Do not shortcut these trails. Alos, there is a re-entrant that is explicitly marked out-of-bounds as well. Basic rule: If you are south of the start triangle, stay on trails or lawn.
3 – They are also trying to minimize “social trails”. To that end, I have removed many of these from the map and we tried to make the courses so they do not rely on the use of these.
Lincoln Park may be considered to be one of the easier venues, and indeed, the north third is quite simple. The southeast portion is easy as well. But the middle third of the park is a somewhat complex area of trails. There is much opportunity for parallel error here for any who “loses contact” with their map.
The south half of the park has an extreme number of controls. Be sure to check the control number before you punch.
The Beginner/Elementary course has more controls than usual, however, they are spaced closely and designed to ensure our newest orienteers know they are headed In the right direction.
The Middle School course is a bit challenging. Be sure you understand all of the symbols before you start out. You can see them on your clue sheet while you are in line. More advanced runners in line or the Start Crew will be happy to explain any that you don’t know.
Manmade objects on the map are represented by black x’s and circles. These features may be as big as a stand of bleachers or as small as a post.
Most of the trails on the map are intentional defined trails (with a few exceptions).
Finally, as of last weekend, there was some tree cutting going on in the area called “the Maze”, west of the long parking lot. I updated the map then. If there are any more significant changes on race day, we will let you know at the start.
Enjoy your course. Patrick Kelly and Serge Smirnov
SCHEDULE
9:30am – Registration opens & Newcomer instruction available
10:00am – Start opens
11:00am – Newcomer instruction ends
11:30am – Registration closes
Noon – Start closes
3:00pm – 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.
Those participating in School League (WIOL) will be provided a specific start time, and should show up at the tent several minutes before their designated time.
PRICES
Elementary, Middle School, Junior Varsity, and Varsity Students
Pre-Registration: $45 for all 8 events
Day of Event: $10 (cash or check only)
WIOL Admin Fee (once per season): $5 before October 13, $15 after.
Subtract $10 from the season pass if you own your own e-punch.
Intercollegiate Students, Adults, and non-competitive courses
Pre-registration: $17 (until Thursday 9pm)
Day of event: $20 (cash or check only)
Subtract $5 for Cascade OC members
Subtract $5 for using your own epunch
Get one event free if you pre-register for the entire season.
Become a Cascade OC member for $5-20
What’s an e-punch?
Orienteering uses RFID-like technology known as e-punch to record your race. At the start, finish, and each control, you’ll dip the e-punch into an electronic box, which will beep and flash as confirmation.
At the finish tent, download your e-punch to get your results (and let us know you’ve returned safely), then compare your splits and discuss your routes with other finishers!
You can rent an e-punch from Cascade OC , or buy your own from Wildwood Adventure Outfitters.
SIGN UP
Students with a season pass, use the button above to RSVP for this meet by Tuesday October 30 at Noon.
LOCATION
PARKING
Parking is available in two lots and street side.
Registration and check in will be based out of the shelter near the southern most parking lot (closest to the ferry).
If you choose to park in the upper parking lot on Fauntleroy or on the street, all competitors need to walk down the sidewalk to the southernmost lot and come to the registration and check in shelter that way.
Cutting through the park will result in disqualification.
CARPOOL
Looking for a carpool? Join the Yahoo listserv and share your request to find a ride.
THE MAP
Lincoln Park is an interesting combination of open, grassy park on a gentle slope, a loose network of wooded trails, and a tight network of really dense trails.
Read more on the map page
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.
