Orienteering
By Emily Moskal
One of the fastest ways to ruin a good wilderness experience is to get lost. GPS devices are helpful, but it’s also fun and challenging to learn how to navigate with a compass and map.
Orienteering was first developed in Sweden to train military officers in over-land navigation. The first organized orienteering events in the United States started in 1941, gaining traction with West Point cadets and Boy Scouts. Today, orienteering skills have evolved into an Olympic Class C sport with local amateur clubs forming across the country.
The Basics
At the site of a race (called an orienteering course or O-course), white-and-orange control flags are set out across the terrain. The orienteer, equipped only with a compass and map to navigate, gets a control card with clues to the site locations. Racing through the course, the orienteers traverse the quickest route to the next flag, where they punch their card, verifying their visit. When they reach the last flag and cross the finish line, the person with the lowest overall time wins. The sport tests the participant’s route choice, navigation over rough terrain, fitness and ingenuity.
Where to Go
Train at a permanent orienteering course
Three state parks have permanent O-courses, meaning the markers are out all year long. Train here when there’s not an organized event happening. Course maps can be obtained at the main gate or online.
- Tyler State Park
- Stephen F. Austin State Park
- Brazos Bend State Park
- Also: Bob Woodruff Park in Plano
Texas Orienteering Clubs
Orienteering is also a part of the Boy Scouts and JROTC training program. Take a stab at group variation events like relays, mass-start endurance and Score-O events.
- North Texas Orienteering Association
- Austin Orienteering Club
- Houston Orienteering Club
- ALTOS (Arkansas Louisiana Texas Orienteering Society)
Benefits
- In a real wilderness situation, orienteering helps hikers get home or share an approximate location with search-and-rescue teams.
- Being prepared lessens the feeling of worry in uncertain outdoor situations.
- Orienteering exercises the body and mind.
- Variations like mountain bike/canoe orienteering keep the sport new and interesting.
- Trail orienteering, another variation, lets those with limited mobility participate more easily.
Gear Up
- Topographic map with features
- Compass
- Watch
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