Try Orienteering!
Welcome to the Whistler Orienteering webpage, providing information specific to events and clinics in the Whistler region.
Upcoming Events
2010
June 20 | Sunday | Spruce Grove Field house | 9:00am - Introductory Clinic - Rocks, boulders and other hard things |
June 28 | Monday | Spruce Grove Field house | 6:30pm - Introductory Clinic - Streams, swamps, and other wet things |
July 9 - 12 | Barebones Festival | See information below |
Hello Whistler Locals!
There's
a big orienteering event happening in Whistler July 9 � 12 and we�d love
for you to be part of it. We�ve created this webpage to give you all the
info you need to take part. The Barebones Orienteering Festival is an annual orienteering event in Western Canada. It�s been all over Alberta, in Whitehorse, in Cranbrook and in 2010 it�s in Whistler with a couple events in Vancouver as well. Over 300 orienteers from more than 14 countries coming to run in Whistler's parks and forests. Are you interested in learning more about orienteering? Are you looking for a new way to explore and play in Whistler�s forest and parks? Are you a bit tired of running the same trails over and over? Are you looking to try an activity that challenges both your body and your head? Are you an adventure racer wanting to improve your navigational skills? �� If any of these apply to you then try orienteering, the sport for people who love to be active in the outdoors. We promise that you�ll discover new parts of Whistler�s parks and that you�ll see the forest in a whole new light. And you�ll learn a few things about map reading and navigation too. |
Introductory Clinics
We are organizing two clinics to teach the basics of orienteering and give
locals all the skills they need to take part in the Barebones races. Both
clinics will be at the Spruce Grove Field House. These 90 minute clinics will
cover map reading and navigation, route choice and race strategies. Clinics
involve a short presentation and an informal orienteering event. Cost is $10 per
clinic. Come to one or both. |
Barebones Festival
The Barebones Festival is one of Canada's longest running orienteering events. This year Barebones is attracting over 300 international participants to Whistler, ranging in age from 10 years old to over 80, from as far away as New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Great Britain, and even Vancouver. We'd love you to be part of it too.
Click here to register Online:
https://www.zone4.ca/register.asp?id=1211
Barebones is made up of six races. You are welcome at any or all of the races. Here�s the barebones schedule at a glance:
July 9 | 3:00pm | Lost Lake | Long distance |
July 10 | 8:00am | Whistler Village | Sprint |
July 11 | 9:00am | Brandywine | Middle distance |
July 12 | 9:00am | Nester's Hill (Myrtle Philip School) | Middle distance |
July 12 | 11:00am | Whistler Mountain (Roundhouse) | BBQ social |
July 13 | 1:00pm | Vancouver - Stanley Park | Long distance |
July 14 | 9:00am | Vancouver - UBC | Sprint |
Each race will have a variety of
courses with categories for all abilities � and you can go individually
or as a group. At the races we�ll have a special area for locals to meet and
sign-in. Look for the tent with the �welcome Whistler locals� sign.
We would love for you to register on-line for Barebones as it allows up to get the best handle on how many maps to print, but registration on the day is available as well. If you register online, there will be a small discount.
CATEGORIES
All Barebones races have �championship� and �open� categories. The �open�
categories are designed for people who are relatively new to orienteering and
those who want to go out in a group. (See the FAQ section below for info about
the championship categories).
Each Barebones event will have the following five Open categories (TR =
technical rating) plus the Adventure runner category:
Category |
Description |
Best suited for |
Open-TR 1 |
Beginner level. Course tends to follow linear features such as trails,
fences, etc. |
Kids under 12. Kids under 15 with little or no orienteering experience.
Family groups with kids under 12. |
Open-TR2 |
Beginner Plus level. Course tends to follow linear features but with
some basic route choice options. Limited use of contour and other
natural features. |
Beginner teens and adults. Family groups with kids over 15. |
Open-TR3 |
Intermediate level. Route choice options. Use of contour and other
natural features. Use of catching features. |
Adults with a bit of orienteering experience and an adventurous spirit. |
Open-TR4 |
Advanced level. Technical orienteering. Route choice options with use of
contour and natural features. Avoids physically challenging and highly
detailed areas of the map. |
Adults who have orienteered before and have an understanding of
techniques such as relocation and moving in a bearing. |
Open-TR5 |
Expert level. Physically and technically challenging. |
Experienced adults |
Open -Adventure Runner |
Beginner Plus level. Course tends to follow linear features but with
some basic route choice options. Limited use of contour and other
natural features. |
The adventure runner category is designed to be physically challengin,
but the navigation required is relatively simple. It�s a great course
for teen and adult runners who are trying orienteering for the first
time. |
WHAT TO EXPECT AT EACH EVENT
-
Arrive at the event site and go to the tent with
the �welcome
Whistler locals� sign.
-
Check-in if you have registered on-line or
register in person. Sign the waiver.
-
Get set for the pre-race clinic where the coaches
will take about that day�s orienteering race, what to expect and offer some
tips for that day�s race
-
We will walk as a group to the start where the
coaches will walk you through the start process and get you out on the
course. (You�ll get your map at the start)
-
You are off on your orienteering course!!
-
Pay attention to the maximum time limits
-
You report to the finish (IMPORTANT) even if you
didn�t find all your checkpoints. This is really important because this is
how we determine if everyone is back or not. If you don�t check in at the
finish, we will think you are still in the terrain and will search for you
and possibly call emergency services.
-
After you�ve crossed the finish line and
downloaded the results from your SI stick, grab some water and a snack
-
Come back to the tent to talk with the coaches
about your race and ask questions and share experiences with other
orienteers. Enjoy!
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF RACES?
There are 3 different race types in orienteering: Sprint, Middle and
Long. Here�s a description of each:
Sprint
A shorter race in which the fastest time is around 15 minutes.
Sprints are often held in urban environments (such as university campus) or open
forest. The navigation tends to be easier but intense concentration and rapid
decision making is important along with fast running.
Middle
Long Distance
A race in which the fastest time is around 70-100 minutes. The emphasis is
on endurance and route choice. The courses are physically demanding, and there
is lots of route choices.
REGISTRATION
Click here to register Online:
https://www.zone4.ca/register.asp?id=1211
You have two registration options. You can register on the day at the �welcome
whistler locals� tent or you can pre-register on-line up until noon on July 8th.
On-line registration saves you some time at the event and it does help out the
organizers to know how many maps to print so please do consider that option. And
if your register on-line we�ll cover the rental cost of the SportIdent timing
stick.
Costs per event:
Adult | $15 |
Youth aged 10 � 20 | $10 |
Kids under 10 | $5 |
Extra maps | $5 |
SportIdent timing stick rental | $2 |
Compass rental | $2 |
To enter to run as a group. Register the first person (the oldest person in the
group) and pay an extra $5 for each additional map that you would like (usually
one per person in the group). You will also need one SportIdent timing stick for
the group. And you can rent a compass for $2. You will need to leave a piece of
collateral (piece of ID or car keys) for the SI unit and compass.
Membership
Your entry fee includes your membership in the Greater Vancouver Orienteering
Club.
Waiver
You will need to sign a waiver at the �welcome whistler locals� tents. We�ll
have copies there, but you can also print it off and bring it with you (http://www.barebones.ca/Barebones%202010/Barebones%202010%20Waiver.pdf).
DETAILS FOR EACH OF THE BAREBONES RACES
Day 1 |
Friday July 9 |
Where |
Lost Lake Park |
Place |
Meet at the tent with the �welcome whistler locals� sign near the beach at Lost Lake |
Time |
Check-in between 2:00 and 2:15, pre-race clinic at 2:30 pm then we�ll go
together to the start. It�s about 5 minute walk from the registration to the
start. |
Latest finish time |
You must report back to the finish within 3 hours after your start.
Please wear a watch. |
Type of terrain |
Forested terrain with significant path network. Hilly.
Forest is variable in terms of density. |
Type of race |
This is a �long� distance race - emphasis on endurance & route choices. |
Awards |
There will be an award for first place in each of the open categories.
Award ceremony will be around 6:30 at Lost Lake. |
Map info |
Map scale is 1:7,500 with 4m contours |
Other |
Bring food for a picnic after your race and hang out at Lost Lake. Or
purchase some food from Alpine Caf� at the Lost Lake concession. |
Day2 |
Saturday July 10 |
Where |
Whistler Village |
Place |
Meet at the tent with the �welcome whistler locals� sign by the gazebo by the Bread Garden/Gap/Caramba�s/Mountain Club |
Time |
Check-in between 7:30 and 7:45 am, pre-race clinic at 8:00 am then we�ll
go together to the start. (just about 50m away) |
Latest finish time |
You must report back to the finish within 1 hour after your start.
Please wear a watch. |
Type of terrain |
An urban race through Whistler Village. |
Type of race |
This is a �sprint� race |
Awards |
There will be an award for first place in each of the open categories.
Award ceremony will be at around 10:00 am at the Gazebo. |
Map info |
Map scale is 1:4,000 with 2.5m contours |
Other |
Urban orienteering is quite a different experience that forest orienteering. The navigation tends to be easier, but you can also move faster so it is really exciting, great fun, and just as challenging. |
Day 3 |
Sunday July 11 |
Where |
Brandywine Falls |
Place |
Meet at the tent with the �welcome whistler locals� sign at the
registration area |
Time |
Check-in between 9:00 and 9:15 am, pre-race clinic at 9:30 am then we�ll
go together to the start. (just about 100m away) |
Latest finish time |
You must report back to the finish within 2 hours after your start.
Please wear a watch. |
Type of terrain |
Lots of
rocks and ponds, a few trails. Forest is a mix of quite fast sections
and very slow areas created by rocky ground and/or thick undergrowth.
|
Type of race |
This is a �middle� distance race |
Parking instructions and direction to get to the registration tent |
Parking
is on the Cal-Cheak Forestry Service Road.
Directions from parking to the
assembly area (registration):
Allow 15-20 minutes to walk from parking to assembly area. |
Awards: |
We won�t be giving awards in the open classes today, but we�ll have a
treat for each participant. |
Map info |
Map scale is 1:10,000 with 4m contours |
Other |
Bring
some snacks with you, we won�t have a food vendor on site today. |
Day 4 |
Monday July 12 |
Where |
Nester's Hill (aka Cut Yer Bars) |
Place |
Meet at the tent with the �welcome whistler locals� sign at the registration area besides the Myrtle Philip school. Note: we will not be allowed to park at Myrtle Philip school. Please arrive on foot, or on a bike, or on the bus. If you drive, please park in Day Lot 4 and walk 1.2km along Lorimer. |
Time |
Check-in between 8:00 and 8:15 am, pre-race clinic at 8:30 am then
we�ll go together to the start. (just about 50m away) |
Latest finish time |
You must report back to the finish within 90 minutes after your start.
Please wear a watch. |
Type of terrain |
Steep hill rising from the school fields. Fabulous and fun rocks & forest on top of the hill. Fairly dense trail network. |
Type of race |
This is a �middle� distance race
|
Awards |
There
will be an award for first place in each of the open categories. Award
ceremony will be at around 2:30 pm in the Roundhouse. |
Map info |
Map
scale is 1:4,000 with 2.5m contours |
Other |
This event was originally planned to be a race up on Whistler mountain, but the snow pack is too deep still. This event is optionally a three-person relay or an individual race. We are suggesting that less experienced orienteers do the individual race. The individual race will have the same course as Leg 1 of the relay. If you wish to run in the relay, create a team of three people - and check details on the "Race Info" page on the full Barebones 2010 website. There will be a mass start of all individual runners and all Relay Leg 1 runners at 9:00am. It is an unusual and very exciting experience to run in a Mass-start orienteering race. Not to be missed! |
BBQ social |
@ The Roundhouse on Whistler Mountain
|
Time |
BBQ begins at 1:30pm at the Roundhouse |
Gondola details |
Many Whistler locals already have passes to get them up the Gondola, so we are leaving it up to you to make your way to the Roundhouse at your own expense. We do have some discounted Gondola passes available for purchase on-line up until July 7th at noon ($30 for adults, $25 for 11-20 youth and $15 for kids 3-10). Tickets must be picked up at the Nester's Hill race on the morning of July 12th. |
Day 5 |
Tuesday July 13 |
Where |
Vancouver � Stanley Park: |
Place |
Meet at the tent with the �on-the-day registration� sign in the assembly area is at Lumbermen's Arch in Stanley Park, 200 meters north of the Aquarium (see the Tourist map at http://vancouver.ca/parks/info/publications/StanleyParkMapGuide2009.pdf and check inset "B - around the aquarium"). Park on the roadway west of Lumberman's Arch. |
Time |
Check-in between 12:00 � 12:15, pre-race clinic at 12:30 then we�ll go
together to the start. (about 500m away) |
Latest finish time |
You must report back to the finish within 2 hours after your start.
Please wear a watch. |
Type of terrain |
A mix of forest and urban park |
Type of race |
This is a long �sprint� race |
Awards |
There will be an award for first place in each of the open categories.
Award ceremony will be at around 4:00pm at Lumbermen's Arch |
Map info |
Map scale is 1:5,000 with 5m contours |
Other |
There are toilets and a concession at Lumbermen's
Arch. |
Day 6 |
Wednesday July 14: |
Where |
Vancouver � UBC |
Place |
Meet at the tent with the �on-the-day registration� sign in the assembly area at McInnes Field. Parking is adjacent to the assembly area in the "North Parkade".". Cost is $1.75/30 minutes (ouch) to a maximum of $13. Turn off Westbrook Mall into Student Union Blvd. To reach the assembly area from the parkade, head south-east across Student Union Blvd to the large grassy field. Alternative parking is available for a flat-fee of $5.50 at Westbrook Mall and Agronomy Road, by the "Thunderbird Parkade". If you park here, you must walk north along Westbrook Mall to the assembly area. |
Time: |
Check-in between 8:30 � 8:45, pre-race clinic at 9:00 then we�ll go
together to the start. (just a few metres away) |
Latest finish time: |
You must report back to the finish within 90 minutes after your start.
Please wear a watch. |
Type of terrain |
A university campus |
Type of race |
This is a long-ish �sprint� race |
Awards: |
There will be an award for first place in each of the open categories.
Award ceremony will be at around 11:30 at the assemble area. |
Map info |
Map scale is 1:5,000 |
Other |
The Student Recreation Centre next to the assembly
area has toilets, free
showers and change rooms available |
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear?
If you are orienteering in the forest (Lost lake, Brandywine, Whistler
Mountain) your best bet it to wear some long running pants or tights to avoid
getting your legs scratched up as you move through the forest. For that same
reason you might want to wear a long sleeve shirt, but you�ll see lots of people
wearing short-sleeve technical shirts as well. For the Whistler Village race,
there will be lots of people wearing shorts in this urban environment. Running
shoes work well. Bring your sun screen. Wear a watch.
Do I need a compass?
You don�t need a compass and some world champions have run without them.
However most experienced orienteers do carry a compass which they use to make
sure they are holding their map the right way around. We will be doing a short
clinic before each Barebones race to show this important technique. We will also
have some compasses available to rent for a small fee (and you�ll need to leave
some ID or car keys as collateral).
What�s an SI stick?
This is the small electronic unit that you carry with you and insert
temporarily in the electronic box at each checkpoint to register that you have
been there. At the finish line, you download the information from your SI stick
to get your final time and the time that it took you between each checkpoint.
It�s fun to compare this info with your friends to see who had the fastest route
choices. You�ll rent your SI stick for a small fee and return at the end of your
race.
Where can I buy compass? SI stick? Other gear?
There isn't much orienteering-specific gear to buy, but what there is can be found online at the
Canadian Orienteering Store
I have lots of orienteering experience, and I would like to compete in the championship categories. Can I do that? Yes you will need to sign up in your age category on-line before July 1st. Sign up at this site: https://www.zone4.ca/register.asp?id=817 and find the registration info that you need here: http://www.barebones.ca/Barebones%202010/barebones_2010_registration.shtml. After July 1st registration online is only available for Open categories.
Do I have to run?
You can go at whatever speed you would like. You�ll see both runners and
walkers orienteering � but at the competitive levels, it�s all about finishing
the course is the shortest amount of time so you will see lots of speedy runners
out there.
Where can I learn more about orienteering on-line?
Check out the �try it� page on the Canadian Orienteering Federation website >
http://www.orienteering.ca/get-involved/try-it/
Who can I contact with questions?
Contact Charlotte MacNaughton: charlotte AT barebones DOT ca