2014 Beginner and Intermediate Navigation Clinic

08/24/2014

Learn the basics of navigating with map and compass from a national orienteering champion, with hands-on practice at this navigation clinic in Woodland Park in Seattle, WA. Our unique class provides numerous opportunities to practice each skill we teach and focuses on practical navigation skills over abstract and easily forgotten concepts.

While less rugged than our navigation race venues, Woodland Park has several features that make it an ideal learning venue: a convenient and compact area, easily passable forest, a variety of contour features, a highly accurate map, and above all, a safe place to experiment and make mistakes.

Whether you’re a hiker, trail runner, or budding navigation racer, our navigation clinics are valuable to anyone wanting to better understand map and compass for backcountry use.

For additional navigation practice, we recommend that you try a Cascade Orienteering Club event, suitable for beginners and experts alike.

Course descriptions
Schedule
Registration Form
Registration Payment
What to Bring
What to Wear
Directions

Course descriptions

INTRO TO NAVIGATION CLINIC, 9am-12pm
Learn the basics of using a map and compass, including:

How maps are made, their features, and evaluating their accuracy
Map handling, a valuable skill in its own right, and the basis for more advanced skills
Interpreting contour lines
Choosing and executing routes

INTERMEDIATE NAVIGATION SKILLS CLINIC, 1pm-4pm
Add more skills to your navigation tool kit, including:

Route planning
Rough compassing
Precision compass (shooting bearings and pace counting)
Magnetic Declination
Relocation (what to do when you are “lost”)

Schedule

Friday, August 22, 6:00pm – Online pre-registration closes

8am – Check-in and day-of-event registration opens (There is still room for more participants!)
9am-12pm – Intro to Navigation Clinic
12-1pm – Lunch break / optional practice course available / Intermediate check-in & registration
1pm-4pm – Intermediate Navigation Skills Clinic

Registration Form

Online pre-registration is CLOSED. Please register with cash or check at the clinic.

Registration Payment

Online pre-registration is closed, but you can sign up the morning of the clinic by paying with cash or check.

BOTH INTRO & INTERMEDIATE CLINICS, 9am-4pm
Get the complete experience and sign up for both clinics!
$38 adult (22+), $28 youth (21/under)

Only INTRO TO NAVIGATION CLINIC, 9am-12pm
Learn the basics of using a map and compass, including map handling, reading contour lines, choosing routes and executing them.
$19 adult (22+), $14 youth (21/under)

Only INTERMEDIATE NAVIGATION SKILLS CLINIC, 1pm-4pm
Add more skills to your navigation tool kit. Learn how to use natural features to navigate and practice more technical skills, such as shooting bearings and pace counting.
$24 adult (22+), $19 youth (21/under)

Online pre-registration closes on Friday, August 22nd at 6:00pm.

What to Bring

Compass, if you have one (we have compasses to lend)
Pen, for taking notes
Water
Snack
Lunch, if you are taking both clinics
A backpack to stash your extra clothing layers, water, and snacks

What to Wear

Dress comfortably. We will be outdoors for the entire session, both sitting and moving at a walking pace. We advise you to bring whatever layers you need to stay comfortable. Woodland Park is a grassy park, so regular sneakers would do just fine.

Check the local forecast.

Directions

Google Map

Woodland Park is located just south of Green Lake in Seattle, WA.
From I-5 (north or south), take the 50th St. exit (#169) and travel west on 50th.
After you cross Green Lake Way, Woodland Park will appear on your right.
Continue on 50th, up the hill. You’ll pass tennis courts and a paved entrance. Up ahead, you’ll see that the road goes through a small tunnel under Aurora. Don’t go through the tunnel! 100 meters before the tunnel is a small gravel lot to the right. Park here.

Eric and Rebecca will be stationed at a picnic table with stacks of maps and orange flags. Please check-in when you arrive; everyone will need to sign a waiver.