Columbia River Orienteering at Memorial Park Wilsonville
I first heard of the Columbia River Orienteering Club (CROC), a local orienteering club, while researching ways to improve my adventure racing skills after watching World’s Toughest Race: Eco Challenge Fiji on Amazon. Since learning of this group I have followed them from the shadows, so to speak, by enjoying my first orienteering challenge navigating around the Mt. Tabor permanent course with my son, then later the Lacamas Lake Classic course that was left in place for a week or so after the event came and went.
This would be the first opportunity for me to show up live and in person to meet other orienteering enthusiasts as well as CROC leadership. CROC would be hosting their annual “Ho-Ho-O” Warm Clothing Drive in Wilsonville on December 18th. So far I had been unable to commit so I lucked out as my friends from Astoria, the same ones I did the Lacamas Lake course with, invited me to join them on their team (led by my friend Sam who was accompanied by two of his daughters—one in her mid teens and the other only 8 years old; this would be the first orienteering race for the youngest).
I arrived early and had some time to get to chat with event organizers and see how the event would unfold. Gradually singles (several in their 60s+), middle age couples, and groups of teens with adults (families?) trickled in, dropping off warm clothing to be donated to Mainspring, then checking in and ensuring their e-punches were working. Maps were provided so that strategies and routes could be created to finish the course within the one-hour time allotment before penalties would be incurred for additional minutes.
Once Sam and his daughters showed up, we got checked-in and received our map. There would be twenty control points and it would look a bit like a dot-to-dot game in which we would attempt to hit up all control points as efficiently as possible.
Sam brought his own e-punch. We punched the “start” and headed out in the direction of the river.
shorts not recommended :)
Sam’s youngest kept us all chasing her for about half of the race until a small injury distracted her from the game. At that point she needed more encouragement from her family to press on. But she rallied and this is a great example of what adventure racing dynamics can look like.
Nearing the finish with just one control point left, we were faced with an easy creek crossing. In the past I probably would have taken the time to remove my socks and shoes, but not so anymore. You’d be surprised at how quickly the wet isn’t noticed!
We completed the course in 51:19, placing first in the “groups” category. [see results] Adventure Racing is a far more complicated sport, but to keep the navigation fresh and a day out more interesting, orienteering is a great way to go and I’m looking forward to putting that annual family subscription (thanks Mika!) to use in 2022!
(It’s always fun to see how the winner planned their route, so check this out.)
