by Matthew Fulton

Created on: April 15, 2010

Orienteering is an incredibly fun sport that is accessible to anyone. From the casual hiker to the most elite cross country runner, orienteering is challenging in both the terrain that competitors have to cover and the skills of using a compass and a map. Getting started in this sport is incredibly easy to do and only requires a few items.

First, you need to be dressed for success. Orienteering is an outdoor sport and will require you to cross through rough patches of terrain such as thorns, steep inclines, or even the occasional creek. With this in mind, you will need a good pair of shoes or boots that can handle this task. Personally, I always preferred combat boots as they are very sturdy and if tightened properly they can help prevent rolling your ankles if you trip. If you are wearing boots, make sure they are well broken in, new combat boots are very painful to run in for any considerable distance. For your legs, I would recommend BDU pants with rip-stop material. These pants are plenty light and will breathe well, but they are also sturdy enough to prevent most scrapes. The rip-stop material, which is essentially just fabric with rows of stitching on it, keeps one small tear from becoming a huge one. A good belt will be needed for these pants. If you want to wear shorts (and many competitors do), you can buy special plastic coverings for your legs that will guard against thorns.

You will want a short sleeve shirt in the hotter parts of the year, and if you are orienteering in the winter, a sweatshirt would be a wise option. It is important not to get too hot during a competition, as some advanced courses can take over an hour to complete. Also, you will probably want some water to take along your route. Military issue web gear with two canteens would keep you (and others) well hydrated, although it may weigh you down some. A good Camelbak or similar device would work very well.

Always remember sunscreen when orienteering, as you will be outside for quite some time and a sunburn can ruin your day. A hat is a good idea as well.

Now for the actual map reading. A good compass is essential, especially for the more difficult courses. You will need to learn how to use it, and this is not difficult. Simply holding it level will make the needle point north, and positioning the map so it will face north will give you the angle that you need to follow. Just place the compass over the point you are located at and find the angle you need to travel to get to the next point. Depending on the terrain (roads, creeks, impassable vegetation, etc) will require you to alter your path, but the angles can be adjusted.

Once you get to your point, you will need to stamp your score card in the correct square. Each point is numbered, so make sure you are at the correct number before punching it. An incorrect punch will disqualify you, and if you try to continue your path from the wrong point, you will just end up being more lost.

The most important thing to remember on your first orienteering trip is to take it easy and have fun. If you rush yourself, you will probably get lost if you are not an expert at land navigation. That can ruin your day and make you reconsider wanting to participate in orienteering. This is a chance to use your head, get a good workout, and enjoy nature. Enjoy it.

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