The Stanford Orienteering Club welcomes you to the Stanford University Campus!

Course Statistics ↑

Technical
Course     Distance   Climb   Controls   Difficulty     Time Limit

White       2.3 km    ~20 m      12      Easy           3 hrs or 2:00 pm
Yellow      2.8 km    ~20 m       8      Moderate       3 hrs or 2:00 pm
Sprint-O    4.0 km    ~20 m      12      Moderate (*)   3 hrs or 2:00 pm
Score-O      ---       ---       20      Moderate       60 min or 2:00 pm

(*) Route choice will require fast decisions

Meet Directors' Notes ↑

We hope you enjoy the beautiful campus and its "secret corners" that we will try to share with you. Don't forget to have fun and enjoy the amazing lake view

As you can see from the above table, we have 4 courses available. If you are uncertain as to which course to try, especially if you've never tried orienteering before, we recommend you do the White course, as the Yellow course has a significantly higher level of navigation than the White course. On all but the Score-O course, the idea is to visit the controls in order, with the route between any two control points up to you, trying to complete the course in as short a time as possible.

You are welcome to sign up for a second course afterwards if you wish. Note that the stated course lengths represent the straight-line distances between controls. Your actual course distance will be longer.

The Sprint-O course is part of the BAOC Sprint-O series. These courses require rapid decision making on navigational routes and attention to fine navigational detail.

For those of you unfamiliar with Score-O, the idea on this course is to visit as many of the control points on your map as you can, within the time limit. The order you visit them, and the route you take, are up to you. For each control you make it to, you get a certain point value (printed directly on the map); however, you lose 10 points for every minute (or fraction of a minute) you are out on the course past the time limit of 60 minutes.

On the White/Yellow/Sprint courses, there is a time limit (for safety purposes) of 3 hours, or 2:00 PM, whichever is earlier.

All contestants in all Courses must check in at the Finish by 2:00 PM.

Please check in at the Finish even if you cannot successfully complete your course, so that we know that you are not still out on the course.

The courses, typical for our urban orienteering events, will be using plastic plates instead of normal orienteering controls. Samples of these plates will be visible in the vicinity of both the Start and Registration.

Each "control" is white and red with a blue stripe, and contains both a 3-digit numerical code (which is on your control description sheet) and a 2-letter code. You will need to carry a pencil or other writing implement with you on your course to write down the 2-letter code printed on the control. For example, if your second control has a control code of 535, then when you find it you'll see that it has the letters "OG" written on it. You would then write "OG" in box #2 of your punch card.

The pie plates may not be as visible as the controls you are used to. Since they are subject to the wind and jostling, the plates may be turned to be edge-on to your approach, making them hard to see. While we have often placed the controls on the far side of objects that you are approaching, they are intended to be plainly visible once you are at the specified location (be sure to check the fine print of your control descriptions). The plates are typically tied to the control feature with string, but may be attached to a stake next to the feature where appropriate. Also, the plates have been known to "disappear" due to miscreants deciding to acquire their own matched set. Thus, if you are really, really certain you're at the right spot and there's no plate, assume that it's been pilfered, note that on your card, and move on.

Traffic and Safety ↑

Most courses will have to cross minor streets with auto traffic. Use due caution and crosswalks when available. There is also a high level of bicycle traffic in all areas of the campus. While, as someone on foot, you should technically have the right of way over a bicycle, do not assume that they will yield to you.

There is virtually zero poison oak in the areas of the map used. The only wildlife hazards that are significant would be ground squirrel burrows, and possibly ticks, in areas with higher grasses. If you should get completely lost, head towards Hoover Tower (the tall building with the red dome) which should be visible from anywhere on the map. From Hoover, head south and ask someone how to get to "Tresidder".