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About
Orienteering
Orienteering - A great sport for
life
Orienteering is the sport of
navigation with map and compass. It's easy to learn, but always
challenging. The object is to run, walk, ski, or mountain bike
to a series of points shown on the map, choosing routes–both
on and off trail–that will help you find all the points and
get back to the finish in the shortest amount of time. The
points on the course are marked with orange and white flags and
punches or electronic devices, so you can prove you've been
there. Each “control” marker is located on a distinct
feature, such as a stream junction or the top of a knoll.
Orienteering is often called
the “thinking sport” because it involves map reading and
decision-making in addition to a great workout. Any kind of map
may be used for orienteering (even a street map), but the best
ones are very detailed five-color topographic maps (1:4,000 -
1:15,000 scale) developed especially for the sport.
Orienteering is a sport for
everyone, regardless of age or experience. The competitive
athlete can experience the exhilaration of running through the
woods at top speed, while the non-competitive orienteer can
enjoy the forest at a more leisurely pace. Most events provide
courses for all levels–from beginner to advanced–and the
sport has been adapted for small children and people in
wheelchairs.
If you love maps, exploring,
and the great outdoors, try orienteering. You'll be hooked for
life! Contact a club in your area - and they will be able to get
you started. And
here
are some interesting links to help you learn more about
orienteering:
A few
orienteering videos:
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