What’s the deal?
Get fit while finding your way through the forest.
Where’s it at?
Developed decades ago as a military discipline to train officers in navigating complex terrain, the modern sport of orienteering involves using a map and compass to move as quickly as possible through a racecourse, reaching set markers and making decisions on the most efficient route along the way. Orienteering requires both mental and physical effort.
The best way to learn the sport is to join one of the 40 orienteering clubs across Canada (orienteering.ca). You’ll begin on a simple course in a city park, picking your way past playgrounds, park benches and duck ponds. Once you master such techniquesas calculating your pace and orienting a detailed 1:10,000 map with terrain features, you’ll be promoted to more challenging backcountry terrain.
Orienteering can be done year-round, and even at night using headlamps. Events are held using mountain bikes, skis and snowshoes. GPS devices are not permitted during races, and would probably not help anyway.
You’ll be moving at a good clip – GPS takes time to catch up and find your position, and is never as fast for on-the-fly route-finding as an experienced orienteer with a detailed map. And those skills you gain can be transferred to other outdoor pursuits: You’ll never worry about getting lost or the batteries dying in your GPS device again.
Who’s it for?
Those who believe the best gadget for not getting lost in the woods is the one between their ears.
Special to The Globe and Mail
