What is an Orienteering Event? Is it Like a Rogaine?

January 30, 2010 · Posted in baldness · Comment 

An orienteering event is a solo race, like a marathon. In a marathon you follow a prescribed course; whereas, in an orienteering event you follow a prescribed set of points in the forest. The goal in orienteering is to find these points using a map, compass and your wits in the right order and cross the finish line before others do.

A Rogaine on the other hand is a team event where there are many, many controls marked on the map. It is the goal of the team to collect as many control points as possible in a prescribed amount of time. It does not matter in a Rogaine who get back first.

In both events the strategy is finding the controls. In orienteering the strategy is find the next control before the other people – and without them seeing you. In a Rogaine, you may never see another team because you’ve chosen completely different controls. There the object is to find as many as you can before time runs out.

To complete an orienteering event or a rogaine, you need some basic map skills, advanced compass reading skills, good long pants, a Camelback or other water source, perhaps shin guards if you anticipate thorny bushes, snacks and a lot of endurance. Most of these races take place over 6, 12 or 24 hour time limits. You can easily track 10 miles in a 6 hour period of time. Come unprepared and you may be coming just for the dinner afterwards.

Either way be smart about your clothing, don’t forget your compass, bring something to scale the map or a pedometer to track distance by steps. Bring a team member or several if you’re going to a Rogaine. Bring a friend to compete against if you’re doing an orienteering event.

Author: Dan R Morris
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Programmable Multi-cooker

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