 Permanent
Orienteering Course
O Anytime At The Campbell Creek Science Center
The
Arctic Orienteering Club's Permanent Course at the Campbell
Creek Science Center can be used at any time for fun group
outings or training purposes.
The Permanent Course contains
checkpoints ("controls")
set up in the woods on specific geographic features surrounding the
Science Center. The control locations are marked on the orienteering
maps (below). The controls
are orange and white signs, usually attached to a post of some
kind (see image below). The control indicates that you have found
the correct geographic
feature marked on the map. Please note that
these controls are different from the three-dimensional
fabric controls that we use at our regular
meets.
The objective
is to locate all the controls on the course of your choosing, in
the order listed on the map. The challenge comes from not knowing
their
locations ahead of time and determining the best route between them.
The fun, of course, is the satisfaction of finding all the checkpoints
you set
out to visit!
Important: Be sure to check with the Campbell
Creek Science Center to make sure
the road gate is open the entire time you are orienteering. You
don't want your vehicle
to get locked in for the night!
Also, though none of the courses will lead you onto the runway, STAY OFF THE RUNWAY AT ALL TIMES. Although it may not appear to be used very often,
it IS an ACTIVE runway and could be used at any time without warning - so take heed!
Finally, Anchorage and the BLM tract are in "bear country" so safe travel practices are essential. The Science Center has brochures on this topic. Before doing any of these courses, always check for trail closures due to bear activity.
 How To Use Our Permanent Orienteering
Course
- Download a map. We offer three different ready-made
courses:
White - Easiest
1.6 kilometers (1 mile) minimum distance, actual length
will be longer depending on the route you choose. This course is recommended for everyone
who has never orienteered before. It goes closest of all courses to the creek--but always be "bear aware" on all courses.
Yellow - Slightly more challenging than white
2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) minimum distance, actual length
will be longer depending on the route you choose.
This course offers the opportunity to go off-trail, although
it can be completed almost entirely on-trail if you desire.
Orange - Medium difficulty
3.4 kilometers (2 miles) minimum distance, actual length
will be longer depending on the route you choose. This course encourages off-trail travel. A compass is recommended.
All
Controls
You can also download a map of all the controls and use
it to create your own course.
- Download a clue sheet. The clue sheet will tell you the type
of geographic features you are looking for. It will also give
you the number
code and the letter code that
is printed on each control. This will help you confirm
that you have, indeed, found the control you were looking
for. The clue
sheet PDF file
includes
the clues for all courses. Make sure you use the correct
clues for the course you choose. (NOTE: there are no "punches" at these controls
so you don't need to fill out or bring a control card for these courses.)
Clue sheet with text descriptions
Clue sheet with symbol descriptions
- Arrive at the Campbell
Creek Science Center wearing sturdy shoes. If you plan
on doing the Yellow or Orange
course you will also want to wear long pants or gaiters
to protect your legs. If
you have a compass, use it to help you keep your map
oriented correctly. You most likely will not need one
for the White or
Yellow course.
- Familiarize yourself with the map and
its symbols before you begin. Start at the entrance to the
Science Center building, on the east side facing the mountains.
The start location is identified on the map with a triangle.
Hold the
map flat in front of you at waist level, and rotate it until
it is "oriented" to
the terrain, roads, and other features. Magnetic North
is the top of the map. The blue lines
that run the length of the map align with magnetic
north. This means that the declination of your compass
should be zero. If you don't know what that means,
you are likely okay.
- Set out to visit the controls in sequence. Be sure to
keep your map oriented to the features around you
and/or magnetic
north as
you change direction going from point to point. You
may change your direction of travel
between controls, but north will always be in the same
place!
- At the control location, you will find a 4"x4" orange
and white marker mounted to a nearby tree or post.
This is the control. The number
and/or the letters on the control will correspond to
the number and/or letters on your clue sheet. If you've
found the
correct control, head off in search
of the next one. (NOTE: there are no "punches" at these controls
so you don't need to fill out or bring a control card for these courses.)
Tips for Successful Orienteering:
- SAFETY NOTE: On
the chance that you become hopelessly "disoriented," use
your compass to head EAST. This will bring you to
the Campbell Airstrip. Follow the edge of the airstrip Northeast to its
end, then take
a left on the gravel
road that will bring you back to the Science Center.
Make sure you stay on the trail at the edge of the
airstrip - do NOT walk on the airstrip itself.
- Orienteering is a great group or family activity. But,
if you go by yourself, tell someone where you are
going or leave a
note on the inside windshield of your car.
- "Orient" the map every time you look at it. That
is, turn the map so that the north arrow points toward magnetic
north as shown by your compass.
- Have a plan in mind
for which features to follow to
get to the control, such as a road, trail or stream.
- Hold
the map in your hand with your thumb firmly planted on your
current location. Fold the map smaller to
make this easier.
When you next
look at the map,
it will be easier to "locate" yourself.
- The
controls are small, only four inches square,
and flat, so you may have to look carefully to
see some of them.
- Keep in mind that the map might not show
very recent changes in vegetation or trails.
Trails that are not frequently used may be
overgrown. Do not be surprised if you come across new features
which are not shown on the
map.
Sources used in creating this page:
http://www.us.orienteering.org/POC.html
http://www.geocities.com/upnoor/thomas/catamount.html
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