2023 Ultimate Orienteer #4 – Camp Hamilton (Freestyle)
Event #4/8 in the Ultimate Orienteer Series!
Join us at a new venue for Event #4: Camp Hamilton outside Duvall! Be one of the first to try out our new map, freshly field-checked in 2022 by Bill Cusworth using a brand new John Brady base map.
We’re giving the Freestyle format another try this year. Freestyle is perfect for people who don’t like course designers telling them where to go. You must visit all the controls on your course but you choose the order. Unlike a score course, there are no time limits (except course closure time) and no points or penalties, just elapsed time.
COURSES
Course designer(s):
Details will be provided here once the courses are finalized.
What is my age class?
Freestyle Course/Class Assignments for Ultimate points
If you want to earn Ultimate points, check the table below to see which category you should sign up for.
For example, if you’re a female 16 or under, your Ultimate age class is F-16 and, for this event, is assigned to the Intermediate course. If you are up for a more challenging course, you can also earn points in F-18 or F-20 on the Short Advanced course, or F-21+ on the Medium course. Just keep in mind that other courses are more difficult, both navigationally and physically, and that you’ll be earning points only in the class you sign up for.
| Age Class | Intermediate | Short Adv | Medium Adv | Long Adv |
| F-16, M-16 | ||||
| F-18, M-18, F-20 | ||||
| M-20, F-21+ | ||||
| M-21+ | ||||
| F50+, M50+ | ||||
| F70+, M70+ |
How are courses measured?
Courses are measured as the crow flies, in a direct line from control to control. Unless you have wings, you will travel farther than this distance! Courses are measured in kilometers, so a good rule of thumb is to simply round up to miles to estimate how far you will go. So in a 5 kilometer race, you’ll likely travel up to 5 miles.
COURSE NOTES
Check back later for special notes from the Course Designer(s).
SCHEDULE
Pre-registration only!
We will NOT have day-of-race registration, so make sure you register before the deadline.
9:00am-12:15pm – Check-in
9:30am-12:30pm – Starts (start times are pre-assigned; sign up for a start time (form provided soon) before Thursday at 9pm; if you don’t, you’ll have to wait for an available spot)
9:30am-10:30am – Newcomer instruction
2:30pm – Courses close*
*Wear a watch to ensure that you return to the finish by course closure time, even if you have to abandon your course to do so. Those returning after course closure will be disqualified and will make the volunteer staff very grumpy.
Why is there a start window?
This event uses an interval start, which means that participants are started in waves instead of all at once. When you arrive at the start tent, find the chute for your course and follow the start volunteer’s instructions.
PRICES
PRE-REGISTRATION PRICES
$22 base price
– subtract $5 for CascadeOC members
– subtract $5 for using your own e-punch
Participating as a group? Just $5 for each additional adult (16+) group
member, no cost for additional minors.
What’s an e-punch?
An e-punch records your race. At each control, you’ll dip the e-punch into an electronic box, which will beep and flash as confirmation. After you finish, you’ll download the e-punch at the download tent and get a receipt that show which controls you visited and how long you took between each; these are your “splits.”
Part of the fun of orienteering is comparing your splits with people who completed the same course, and discussing the routes you took!
SIGN UP
LOCATION
DO NOT use Google maps to navigate to Camp Hamilton. It will give you incorrect directions.
Below is a map showing the best way to get to Camp Hamilton. Click on the map to view the Caltopo map.
PARKING
Parking is available at the event site. Follow signs to parking.
CARPOOL
Looking for a carpool? Join the club email group and share your request to find a ride.
SAFETY & ETIQUETTE
Return to the Finish
All participants MUST return to the finish and download their e-punch or turn in their punch card.
Even if you have not finished your course, you must still return to the the finish and confirm with event staff that you have returned safely.
Out of Bounds
Some areas may be marked out of bounds. It is imperative to respect these boundaries to maintain our relationships with land managers. Participants MUST NOT go out of bounds. Any participant caught going out of bounds will be disqualified.
Course Closure
All participants MUST return to the finish by course closure time. If a participant does not return by course closure, event volunteers will begin coordinating a search party.
If you need a long time on the course, start as early in the start window as possible, wear a watch, and be prepared to cut your course short to make it back by the course closure time.
Whistle
All participants MUST carry a whistle on the course. Complimentary whistles are available at the start tent (please only take one).
If you are injured on the course and need assistance, blow three long blasts to call for help.
If you hear a call for help, abandon your course to find the person in distress.
Voices
Part of the fun and fairness of orienteering is navigating your own course, so please be polite when you find a checkpoint and don’t holler that you’ve found it.
