November 22, 2011

The Hidden Springs Hidden-O Sunday, December 11

Join us for our December orienteering meet in Hidden Springs. This location provides a mix of suburban, rural, and foothills terrain. We will be using a new map that allows for flexibility in course setting come rain or shine. There will be three courses (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) suitable for all ages and abilities.

Who: Orienteers of all ages and abilities (beginners to advanced)

When: Sunday, December 11. Registration begins at 10:30 am and continues to 1 pm. Courses will be open for starts from 11 am – 1 pm. Courses close at 2 pm. You may arrive within this window to try a course, as participants start separately a few minutes apart.

Start/Finish Location:
Hidden Springs Sports Field (N. Humphreys Way and W. Dry Creek Rd.): http://g.co/maps/26chd
Hidden Springs, Idaho 83714

Format: Classic

Entry fees: $5.00 per map for non-members (individual or group). Free to members of the City of Trees Orienteering Club.

You may want to bring: a watch, a compass, a snack and a cell phone. (Some compasses will be available to borrow)

Directors: David Murray/John Murray

November 14, 2011

Caldwell City Challenge Calm Conclusions

The Caldwell City Challenge has Concluded.

Sunday, November 13, 2011 saw eleven competitors converge on the City of Caldwell to compete in this inaugural  event.  There were eight CTOC party faithful and four newcomers: (1) my good friend and realtor, Randy Jensen, came with his best friend Henry, (2) Melanie Wright, a recent transplant from North Carolina, who found CTOC on the internet and decided to give us a try and (3) David Murray brought his friend Nick Yates and introduced him to the sport of Orienteering.  Melanie and Nick each won Goody Bags (furnished by CTOC's friend, Mike Shuman, of Shu's Idaho Running Company in Boise).

The weather cooperated creating a perfect day for orienteering and there were no complaints about the map nor the course, at least none formally submitted to the complaint resolution committee (i.e., Russ Pilcher).  By all accounts, a good time was had by all those who attended and all finished within the three hour time limit (eliminating the unpleasant task of assessing penalty points).  Donuts and Hot Coffee (Thanks Bill) were available before the meet while competitors plotted their strategy and Hot Chili, Cake, and Apple Cider (Thanks Caroll) greeted their return.

Here are the "Official Results":
"On Foot" Division
1  Sergey Velichko        2:32    980 points (the fastest time and a perfect SCORE!)
2  Jeff Black                    2:47    940 points
3  Ole Bergset                2:58    900 points
4  David Murray
       and Nick Yates        2:56    890 points
5  Bill Pilcher                  2:56    870 points
6  Karin Didisse             2:44    710 points
7  Randy Jensen   
      and Henry DeDog    2:56    310 points

"On Bike" Division
1  Andy Hill
      and Elijah DeSon      2:56    960 points
2  Melanie Wright            2:32    420 points

Each of the 36 points was visited by at least 4 competitors.  Two points were visited by ALL competitors: the Canyon County Courthouse and the Victorian Style Historic Isaacs House.  Detailed, point by point, results are attached (Excel converted to .gif for blog purposes).

Many thanks go to Caldwell's Parks and Recreation Department for furnishing the venue; to Mike Shuman for Shu's Idaho Running Company's continuing support of our club and the "Goody Bags"; to my good friends and neighbors, Mel & Bev, for helping with the preparations, results and cleanup, to my best friend and wife Caroll for the preparations, cleanup and the great Chili w/Condiments; and to my brother & co-director Bill for his OCAD mapping skills and course vetting (hence, the confusion on how he got the wrong answer on point 28?).

Russ Pilcher
Cool and Crisp City-Coordinator DeCTOC-Club

PS:  I'm still accepting complaints/protests (just ensure they're postmarked by November 13, 2011)

November 7, 2011

News flash: Orienteering in Sun Valley

For those of you who attended the Vampire O, you may remember some of the participants were from the Community School in Sun Valley.  As part of their classwork on orienteering, they are putting on their own meet.  Details follow:


Who:  Orienteering beginners to experts
When:  November 12, 2011 (yes the day before the Caldwell City Challenge)
Where:  Adams Gulch trailhead
Cost:  $5 per person, or $10 per group
Format:  Score O Rules
Registration:  http://tinyurl.com/cutthroatorienteering
Contact Info:  (208) 720-7576 or mstopol(at)communityschool.org
The Community School Wilderness Navigation class is hosting an orienteering event at Adams Gulch. Orienteering is a sport where participants attempt to find points on a map in a set amount of time.  The format is score-O with a beginner and an advanced course. The event is suitable for total beginners to experienced orienteers   Registration forms can be found at the Community School, Elephant Perch, Backwoods, below or find us on Facebook). Also, pre-event registration is from 9:15am to 9:45 am. There will be a beginner and intermediate course.  Orienteering is a great way to get outside with friends or family for a fun activity.
Registration Form (mail by Nov 10 or sign up day of race)

Start Location: Adams Gulch on Trails.com

November 1, 2011

Caldwell City Challenge!

Sunday November 13, 2011 

You’re Invited to join us for the 
City of Trees Orienteering Club's (CTOC) 
very first Caldwell City Challenge. 
Caldwell City's Train Depot

Start and Finish will be at the
Memorial Park Bandshell 
Memorial Park
Kimball and Grant Streets
Caldwell, ID 83605


  • Registration Open: 9:30 am 
  • Maps handed out at: 10:00 am 
  • Start time: 10:30 am 
  • End time: 1:30 pm 


You will be provided a detailed Caldwell City Map with 36 locations circled. Your goal will be to find/visit as many of the 36 locations as possible within a 3 hour time period. At the various locations, participants will read a question on the back of their map that can easily be answered if at that location. Participants will circle one of 3 multiple choice answers as proof of visiting the correct location. The specific location visited will be worth different point values based upon the distance from the start/finish area. For those competing, the highest total point scores win. There will be “On Foot” and “On Bike” categories. 


You can be a competitor or a non-competitor. Baby Strollers and pets on leashes are welcome. In other words just come, enjoy the City of Caldwell, and have a good time. 


Entry fees are: free to members of the City of Trees Orienteering Club, $5.00 per map for non-members (individual or group).


You may want to bring: a watch, a compass, a snack and a cell phone. (Some compasses will be available to borrow) 


Hope to see you there! — Russ & Bill Pilcher, Co-directors. 
Please let us know if you have ????’s. Email: rp1020@sbcglobal.net; (208) 965.9343