The Orienteering Express Local Competition More Proof That Map-And-Compass Pursuit Gaining In Popularity

Scores of people are setting out into unfamiliar territory to conquer a complicated obstacle course. The only thing they can depend on is a map and a compass.

The sport is called orienteering.

The point of orienteering is to try to get from Point A to Point B with only a compass and a topographical map. The hard part is locating the eight to 16 markers along the way and still reaching the end of the course before your opponent.

”(Orienteering) offers people a chance to get out and enjoy the outdoors with an activity that has a goal and a challenge to it,” said John Beck, a member of the Eastern Washington Orienteering Club. “It’s a sport that all age groups can participate in. We get kids under 12 participating in our courses and people over 70.”

Beck, 49, started orienteering 17 years ago while living in Ohio. In 1988, he was transferred to Spokane as an economics teacher at Gonzaga University.

“Before I moved (from Ohio),” Beck recalled, “I looked in the directory of all national clubs and saw the Ellensburg Orienteering Club was the closest club near the Spokane area and was disappointed when I realized it was more than just a short drive away.”

However, to Beck’s surprise, the Eastern Washington Orienteering Club started in 1989 after the Centennial Games introduced the sport to the Spokane area. Since then, a club that calls itself the Sacajaweas has opened in the Walla Walla/Tri-Cities area. The Eastern Washington club has 45 members.

Orienteering has made slow progress since coming to the United States 30 years ago. Between 1985 and 1995, however, membership in the U.S. Orienteering Federation increased 83 percent.

Orienteers as far away as Canada will be coming to Spokane this weekend for the Inland Northwest Orienteering Cup at Riverside State Park. The event, the biggest in Eastern Washington, usually draws up to 50 competitors, mostly from Seattle.

“At this event, we’ll have the more competitive types who are real runners,” said Beck, who designed the course for the event. “The biggest decision is where to put the markers along the course. The idea is to do it so there are navigational problems like deciding to go up a hill or around it.”

Markers in courses are usually hidden on features such as boulders, trees, knolls, pits, etc. The markers are shown by circles on the participants’ maps. “The markers should not help you see the feature,” said Beck. “You should see the feature first by following the directions on your map. We typically try to put the marker on the opposite side of the feature the person will be approaching it from.”

Although orienteering sounds very competitive, half of all who take part in the sport do it leisurely as a recreational activity. Amateurs start with beginner courses and may work their way up to more advanced ones. The Eastern Washington Orienteering Club holds local course events throughout the summer. Activities are advanced on a regular basis in the Recreation calendar on this page, or those interested can also call Beck at 838-7078.

Inland Northwest Cup at a glance What: Inland Northwest Orienteering Cup When: Saturday, 1-3 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: Riverside State Park Cost: $4 per day for beginner courses, $7 per day for advanced courses Info: John Beck, 838-7078; John Harbuck, (208) 263-9894