COURSE NOTES

General information:

•  Map has had a major update – especially point features and trails. However, vegetation colors are not accurate.
  • The run-ability of light green versus dark green vegetation may be inaccurate.
  • The white areas are open and do offer enjoyable and fast routes.
  • Many of the previously mapped knolls are in fact stumps.
  • Recent windstorms have made runnable areas likely less so (due to blowdown), and created unmapped rootstocks.
  • But the basic rule is: if it’s dark green, stay out.
• Courses routes
  • There are several opportunities to choose an off-trail route.
  • Legs were chosen to avoid unfriendly bush whacking.
  • We encourage you to avoid roads and use parallel trail routes.
  • We have designed the courses to emphasize a fun experience, but also to test your orienteering skills.
  • Legs were chosen to test these skills: compass; handrails and catching feature; attack points; pace counting; aiming off; using vegetation boundaries as handrails; and control extensions. Do you know your pace count for 100 m?
•  Mandatory Crossing Points
  • If you have a crossing point on your control description or course map- it is MANDATORY.  Not using a mandatory crossing point may result in a DQ. 

 Safety Info for courses JV Girls /Intermediate /Varsity /Short Advanced /Intercollegiate /Long Advanced Only:

•  Where a trail is considered to be dangerous it is indicated on the map as follows:  
  • “Danger – Do Not Use!” =  you MUST NOT GO THERE.
  • “Warning – Caution if using this trail section” = it is recommended you do not take this section, but if you do take this trail you should walk carefully and not run.

 Safety Info in General:

• Do not horse play near cliffs.
• Be diligent at road crossings.

Beginner/Elementary

Course 1 is a loop trail run. Apart from the manned pedestrian road crossing, there are no further road crossings. Safety was our first priority. The first leg is flagged and must be followed. Along the course there will be plenty of opportunity to observe point features located along the trails: stumps; rootstocks; and fire hydrants. Familiarize yourself with these symbols

Placements of controls are visible from the expected direction of travel, and the placement “pulls” participants onto the next handrail (trail). Control markers have been placed at every decision point (except the final two legs) and hence there is only one route-choice, one decision point. The final two legs, a route choice must be made. This will prepare participants for the next level, where route choice will be the norm.

Skills: direction of travel, handrails and catching feature (which will be another trail)

 Middle School

Course 2 is a trail run but with several route options for most legs.

Control placements are a few meters off the trail but visible from the trail and direction of travel. However, near the end of the course, the controls, although very close to the trails, will not be visible. Also, very short forest travel will be an option. This will prepare participants for the next level, where route choice, controls not visible, and off-trail will be the norm.

Skills: direction of travel, handrails and catching feature. Picking the safest route. Keen observation. The marker is often placed behind the feature. Read control description for control placement.

 Intermediate/JV Girls

This course offers several opportunities to go off-trail. However, there are two legs when one will be on a road. Not fun. Some trails have fallen branches and downed trees. There are trails located on a cliff edge. This course should heed the safety instructions above.

Control placements are a few meters off the trail but not visible. Read your control description.

Skills: direction of travel, handrails, catching feature, pace counting (do you know how many steps it takes you to run 100 m?) and looking for definite attack points. Picking the safest route and keen observation are essential. The markers are often placed behind the feature. Read the control description for control placement.

JV Boys- North and South

These courses offer multiple route choices and opportunities to run off-trail. One leg has eight micro routes! But which is the safest? Some trails have fallen branches and downed trees.

Control placements are a few meters off the trail but not visible. Read your control description.

Skills: direction of travel; handrails; catching feature; pace counting (do you know how many steps it takes you to run 100 m?) and looking for definite attack points. Picking the safest route and keen observation are essential. The marker is often placed behind the feature. Read the control description for control placement.

Varsity, Short Advanced and Long Advanced

These courses offer fast trail running, route choices, and opportunity to go off-trail, even for a short distance. Courses 6 and 8 are physical. Considering the audience for course 7, we have erred on the side of less physical and a tad easier. These courses should heed the safety instructions above. 

Control placements are several meters off the trail but not visible. Read your control description.

Skills: direction of travel, handrails; catching feature; pace counting; looking for definite attack points; aiming off; control extension and picking the fastest but safest route.