What is Orienteering?
The simplest definition is that it is finding your way from one point to another, using only a map, compass and your brains. Orienteering is usually done in the woods, with the participants on foot.
At a typical organized Orienteering event, several courses of varying difficulty are laid out in the woods by the event orgainsers. Each course consists of a series of checkpoints (or "controls") marked by a brightly colored, distinctive Orienteering flag. Participants are given a map with the locations of the checkpoints circled. The starting place, the sequence in which you visit the controls, and the finish location are also shown. Then, using the map and a compass, it's up to the participant to find his or her way from one control point to another in the order specified.
At each control, there is a paper punch which makes a distinctive pattern. The Orienteer uses that to punch a card, which proves that they've actually been to that control point. Orienteering can either be a race, or a casual recreational activity, depending totally on your own attitude towards the event - and at typical events, you will find people of all inclinations and athletic abilities.
Orienteering is considered a competitive sport by some, the winners being the ones who've been to all the control points in the least amount of time, usually running the whole way. Competitions are held at all levels including the World Championships. But, it's also considered a recreational activity by casual walkers. People come out alone, with friends, or with family, admiring the view and taking time to appreciate nature. It can be considered a walk with some mental challenge added.
There are usually several courses at each event, and they vary in difficulty. What differentiates them is the length of the course, and the placement of controls. So the course for experienced Orienteers might be 8-12km (4-6 miles) long, and finding the control markers would require advanced navigational techniques and an experienced pair of eyes reading the map. On the other hand, the course for beginners would only be about 2-3km (1-2 miles) long, and the controls would all be displayed prominently near paths. The other courses fall somewhere between.
There are variations of orienteering that are also popular, such as Mountainbike Orienteering, Ski-Orienteering (which takes place on cross country skis), relay competitions, and Night-O. You will sometimes find, especially at low-key club meets some of the less common variants, such as 'score orienteering' or map-memory.
