WEO #13 - Harvie Heights Forest (note extended start times) Wednesday Evening series

Organizers: Trevor Kiers (Event Director), Trevor Kiers (Course Planner), Mark Gibbard (Controller)

Harvie Heights Forest Event

Come out and enjoy an evening of forest orienteering on a brand new map! Experience the wonderful technical terrain on the wooded slopes behind Harvie Heights hamlet. Our permit for this area limits the number of participants, so please register as soon as possible!

• Please pre-register for this event before registration closes at 11pm on Monday, August 3rd.
• Check-in at our table at the south-eastern corner of the parking lot from 5:30pm until 6:30pm
• The Start is located 50m from the check-in table; start any time between 5:30pm and 6:30pm.
• Maximum time on course: 90 minutes (After 90 minutes, please return to the Finish and check in, even if you have not completed your course).
• Course closing: 8pm (For safety reasons, everyone must be back at the finish area to download by 8pm. Controls will start being removed at 8pm).
• SI electronic timing: will be used for all courses. SI finger-sticks will be available to borrow at check-in.

Safety

• Please carry a whistle.
• This map is in BEAR COUNTRY, AOA bear spray policy is in effect. Adults are advised to carry bear spray. Parents may wish to shadow children around their course. Visit our website for safety recommendations and more information about wildlife risks.
• Please see the AOA Air Quality Policy for event cancelation in case of a wildfire smoke situation.

Course Selection

Harvie Heights is a new map with 5m contours; all will be printed at 1:7500. There are several courses to choose from:

• Novice 2.2km with 65m climb, 8 controls: the easiest and shortest course, suitable for beginner orienteers and families; simple navigation, staying on trails.
• Intermediate 3.4km with 90m climb, 10 controls: requires orienteering/navigation skills. Usually route options that follow trails, but some short off-trail navigation through the forest is often needed to find the control.
• Short Advanced 2.8km with 120m climb, 10 controls: Challenging navigation, suitable for experienced orienteers comfortable navigating in complex forest terrain, very limited trail use.
• Long Advanced 4.1km with 155m climb, 13 controls: Challenging navigation, suitable for experienced orienteers comfortable navigating in complex forest terrain, very limited trail use. With 1 challenging leg, and 1 long leg!

Parking

Please park at the Harvie Heights Trailhead (see pin below). The parking lot has space for approximately 30 vehicles, and Alberta Parks has asked that we ensure parking remains available for other trail users; please consider carpooling wherever possible.

• The registration tent will be set up in the southeast corner of the parking lot.

Mappers Notes:

Welcome to Harvie Heights, a brand-new map making its debut for this WEO. The area offers a mix of fast ridge running, intricate contour detail, steep hillsides, and interesting route-choice opportunities. It is sure to be exciting!

This is a physically demanding area with significant climbing and several steep slopes. Overall, the forest is a mixture of white and light green in terms of runnability. There is plenty of great terrain out there. Sections of downed trees are marked in dark green, while medium green has been used for the areas in between. Much of the green is still runnable, although at reduced speed. See the photo below for an example of terrain mapped as white forest.

The forest floor is mostly covered in moss, with the exception of an area affected by flooding runoff from 2013. See the second photo below to see how it has been mapped. Symbol #210 (Stony Ground, Slow Running) has been used to represent areas with extensive rock washout. It is a unique and easily distinguishable part of the map. (Only the Long Advanced course will cross this area.)

For those who enjoy map critiquing, I would love your feedback after the event. Feel free to take a pen to your map afterwards and show me your thoughts.

Pricing Options Below: Registration opens March 15.

WEO Series Pass:

If you are interested in joining us for the season, purchasing the WEO Series Pass for $55, which is the best option. You will have access to all events in the WEO season. Please Note: you must have a FWOC membership in order to purchase the WEO Series Pass.

Event Pricing for non WEO Series Pass Holders:

• For FWOC members and members of other Canadian orienteering clubs
  • $5 per individual
  • $15 per Family (up to 6 registrants who live in the same house)
• For non-members
  • $10 per individual
  • $30 per Family (up to 6 registrants who live in the same house)

Ready to Register? Click HERE.

Volunteering:

Each WEO event takes about 10 volunteers. We really need our membership to support these evenings in order to keep these WEOs happening. It is a great way to meet more members, and some roles help improve your orienteering skills! If you would like to help out in any way - no experience necessary - please reach out to [email protected] or click on the Volunteer Link below.

Location