Registration for this event is closed.
Everyone is welcome to the north side of Umstead State Park on Sunday, September 11 for our first event of the season. Enter the park from Glenwood Ave./US 70; park here; and check-in at the large shelter, here (GPS = 35.871668, -78.759166). After reading the description of this event below, you can register here. Register before Saturday, September 10 at 9:00 AM, when registration will close.
This will be the first event of our 2022/2023 season. So it’s the ideal time to renew your annual pass. Annual passes run from September to August which means that 2021/2022 passes will no longer be valid this event. Read more about annual passes here, and purchase one here.
Because we are expecting a large number of competitors, we ask that you register for a particular 30-minute start window. Come any time during the window for which you register. When all of the slots for a particular start window have been filled, it will be closed. Only scout groups and JROTC groups should sign up for the 10:00 AM slot. All competitors will need to report back to the finish by 3:00 when we will begin clearing the courses.
Classes
Beginner’s class: If you’re new to orienteering, consider registering for the12:00 time slot, in time to attend our in-person beginner classthat will be offered at 12:30. Watch our videos at the top of this page to prepare you for this class.
Intermediate class: For intermediate-level orienteers who want to learn more about advanced orienteering skills, we will also offer an intermediate (“Yellow-to-Orange”) class at10:00. Enrollment in this class will be capped at 12 registrants. If you are interested in attending this class, register for the 9:45 timeslot and sign up for the orange course. Be at the shelter no later than 10:00 when the class will start. The class will take about an hour, and will be conducted during a 2.5 km walk with the instructor through the woods, visiting several control locations and discussing orienteering skills. After taking this class, you should be able to do the orange course.
Courses offered:
| Course | Color name | Length (km) |
| Beginner | White | 2.0 |
| Intermediate | Yellow | 2.5 |
| Advanced | Orange | 3.7 |
| Expert (S) | Brown | 3.8 |
| Expert (M) | Green | 5.9 |
| Expert (L) | Red | 8.3 |
| Expert (XL) | Blue | 11.9 |
Course notes:
Control descriptions for the white and yellow courses will be in English. All other courses will use the international symbol set for control descriptions. If you’re not skilled in interpreting these symbols, you can study them here. Event personnel will also be able to interpret them for you.
Please note that the red and blue courses are quite long. There will be one control with drinking water on these courses, but competitors should seriously consider carrying their own water in addition. If you are not a fast and experienced orienteer and want to do the blue course, please sign up for an early timeslot so that you have plenty of time to finish.
Questions? Email info@backwoodsok.org