Orienteering

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gillman7

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Does anyone here teach or are involved in Orienteering? I know absolutely nothing about it, but would like to develop this skill. I looked online, but there are no clubs or chapters in Oklahoma, much less in the Tulsa area. I know there are some Boy and Eagle scouts on here, so they must have been exposed to it.

I have a GPS, and would like to practice with it more, but more than that, being able to use a map and compass is something I need to learn. I was looking at some Geocaching sites too, and that looks like it could be fun as well. Just thinking it would give me a reason to get out and do some hiking and have some fun with the grandkids.

Anyone have any suggestions on equipment, how to get started, groups in the Tulsa area?
 

R. Johnson

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Google FM 3-25.26, that'll get you a good start. Suunto makes good compasses, but I really like my military lensatic compass. As for clubs that do sport orienteering, I wish I could help, but I don't know of any. Also, I love Geocaching.com, I have a lot of fun with it.
 

brennan

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I believe the Serra Club has orienteering events. You might check out Back Woods and see if they have any pamphlets. I believe there is a Geocaching group in Tulsa. I have a small orienteering book that you can borrow. I don't believe it talks about GPS's.
 

gillman7

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Google FM 3-25.26, that'll get you a good start. Suunto makes good compasses, but I really like my military lensatic compass. As for clubs that do sport orienteering, I wish I could help, but I don't know of any. Also, I love Geocaching.com, I have a lot of fun with it.

Downloading it now, thanks! I have a couple of Brutons, just need to use them. I figured I would take my GPS, and then try to learn the compass. that way if I get lost, I have a back up....

I believe the Serra Club has orienteering events. You might check out Back Woods and see if they have any pamphlets. I believe there is a Geocaching group in Tulsa. I have a small orienteering book that you can borrow. I don't believe it talks about GPS's.

Good call on Backwoods. I love that place. I could spend a lot of money there too. I forgot, but they do have groups going on all the time in different trips and skills. Need to go by there and check.

What kind of manual do the Boy Scouts use on this? Is it just part of their regular curriculum? Anyone have kids that were involved, know where they go to practice?
 

elcaBob

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Funny you should mention this. My Dad just published a book on Orienteering.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0736084231/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?qid=1370796985&sr=8-8&pi=SL75
 

gillman7

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R. Johnson

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I enjoy land navigation quite a bit, I've done courses in Alabama, S Carolina, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. The terrain makes a lot of difference for me. I find lower Alabama very difficult, the foliage is very dense and terrain association is difficult. Everything looks the same and I have my pace count thrown off very easily by vegetation. Louisiana and at home, on the other hand, I find to be easier because I find it easier to lean on terrain association in those environments rather than just my pace count.

I think using a map and compass is a great skill to have. Electronics fail, batteries die, the Chinese shoot down your satellites, but so long as you take care of that compass it will take care of you.
 

brennan

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The Boy Scouts should have a Orienteering Merit Badge book. You should be able to buy one at the BS HQ at 41st and 129th.
 

71buickfreak

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I learned orienteering in a class in high school (Colorado, very different, we even had a rock climbing class!). I always talk about getting back into it but never do.
 

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