Combining cross-country skis and compasses
Local orienteering club offers new directions for Nordic skiers
BY BILL ANDERSON
Snow DoeS not stop the intrepid
orienteerers of ottawa.
From april to november, you will
find orienteerers of all ages and abilities
enjoying navigation-based outdoor
challenges based on running and hiking.
at ottawa orienteering Club (ooC)
events, challenges are set up for beginner,
intermediate and advanced orienteerers. some of the best route options may be on
The format of an orienteering event can narrow trails.
vary from a 20-minute point-to-point at registration, you will receive the course
sprint to a 24-hour team competition, but map in a plastic case, a waterproof punch
the average on-course duration at local card and some safety pins to attach them
meets is about one hour. The club often to your jacket. Trying to ski and navigate
uses the in gatineau Park, but it also has with a pole and map in your hand is very
good orienteering maps of the greenbelt awkward. a modified adventure racing map
and other large parks around the city. holder is what the advanced ski-o racers
as winter approaches the orienteering use. If you have one, bring a compass that
season does not end; it just switches gears. you can attach to your wrist. If not, ooC
ooC members jump onto cross-country has some for rent.
skis and navigate around the many superb
cross-country ski trails in the ottawa area.
a complex network of trails allows the set
up of interesting navigational challenges.
To be honest, even the toughest
navigational challenges in ski-orienteering
are relatively simple compared to foot
orienteering since all the control locations
are on a cross-country ski trail. Furthermore,
each control site is marked by a bright
orange flag that is easy to see if you are
OM
TR
GS
the marker. while wide track-set trails

BER
(shown with a solid line) are fast, they do
AN
not provide a very direct route. See the
TEF

B
Y

S
steep climb just south of the control site?
T
O
If you are not a great climber maybe a once you are ready to go, the starter will
P
HO
gentler route to the side is better. and, if assign you a time at least a minute after the
on the correct trail. each marker includes a you are tired, look for a simple route with a previous participant – so he or she is out
coded punch to show that you were there. minimum number of turning decisions. of sight. Following is not as much fun as
ah, but here’s the rub! The course planner Here’s a tip. Pick what looks like a good doing it on your own, or as a team, anyway.
will have made sure that every leg of the route and go for it! Indecision and hesitation when you find the finish, there will be hot
challenge includes as many route options can take up more elapsed time than a chocolate, cookies and maybe a prize for
as possible. This means you must plan and slightly longer route. the fastest elapsed time.
follow an efficient route, avoid excessive all of the ooC ski-orienteering events For a schedule of ski-orienteering events
climbing and use the faster track-set trails include training for beginners, and the in the ottawa area this winter, check out
– if that’s an option. registration and start/finish areas are always the ottawa orienteering Club website at:
near a warm chalet! you can use classic www.ottawaoc.ca.
HAVE A LOOK AT THE COURSE SAMPLE kick-waxed skis or skate skis. How much Bill is a long-time member of the Ottawa
How would you ski from control point do you enjoy double poling? How much Orienteering Club who loves participating in
2 to 3? Check the course map! The code do you enjoy waxing in wet conditions? and setting up orienteering challenges year-
beside the control number is the number on Decisions, decisions. Just remember that round.
10 OTTAWA >> WINTER 2008/2009 www.OttawaOutdoors.ca
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