Backwoods Orienteering Klub

Have Fun in the Woods Orienteering… with the best maps in the world

Orienteering Raleigh NC

Backwoods Orienteering Klub, founded November 15, 1978 sponsors events and teaches orienteering in the North Carolina piedmont, around Raleigh, NC.

We invite you to try orienteering with us. Everyone is welcome at all our events. We always offer beginning, intermediate, advanced and expert courses (routes through the woods) at every Regular event.

Yellow – Orange Advanced Class

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by

Joseph
in
  • This class will cover the following strategies: Handrails, Catch Features, Collecting Features, Attack Points, Pace Counting, Map Handling, Trail running, and Quick Compass Use.
  • Definitions
    • Handrails
      • Linear feature parallel to your course
      • Stream, Ridge, Vegetation boundary, Trail
    • Catch Features
      • A feature that tells you that you have gone far enough
        • A handrail sideways
      • You need a catch feature if you will be going through a featureless area.
    • Collecting Features
      • A group of features that signal to you that you are approaching your destination or help you locate your position along your route.
    • Attack Points
      • A prominent feature near the control
    • Pace Counting (All the time, especially if you don’t have a catch feature.)
      • Practice keeping it going all the time until you can count in the background and still think.
      • Measure the distance between two points and count the paces
      • Note the differences between the different terrain types
      • Adjust your count depending on the terrain
    • Trail running – always identify how you will get off the trail before you decide to use one.
  • Put those skills together to Locate an advanced control 
    • The first thing you do is locate where you are and where you are going.
      • Study the area around the control and find a close-by identifiable point
      • Identify if there is a favored approach
      • Find the most direct way. Then identify any obstacles and the best way to go around them.
      • Choose a route keeping a lookout for the navigational features we discussed.
      • When you get to the last hundred meters Slow Down
    • Map Handling
      • Keep the map oriented as you turn around
      • Single fold the map
      • Keep your thumb on your location
      • Move it as you run – count and move it 100m at a time.
      • If you have to keep forcing the map to look right, you probably aren’t where you think you are.
    • Quick Compass Use
      • Keeping the map oriented and compass on your thumb notice that the arrow is pointing north whenever you are on a straightaway
      • Aiming Off
        • Setting a course deliberately to one side of where you want to go along a catch feature so you will know which way to turn.
      • Stay on course, by locating a distant tree or feature, then taking a new bearing when you get there.
  •  If you want to practice these skills in a class you should sign up for one of our half day classes. The dates are on our schedule, and the classes are included in your membership.