Map & Compass Hike and O Meet at East Palisades. Event still ON!

WEATHER UPDATE as of SAT EVENING FEB 18:   We're still ON for the event, but the latest weather report shows the front moving through Atlanta slower than had been expected, so now we may have a quarter of an inch or so of  rain after the O Meet begins.  I'll put up a large tarp that will keep us dry during our Map & Compass "Tutorial" session.  It's still expected to be in the low 50s with an occasional light drizzle or shower Thankfully there won't be much wind until midafternoon..  Please prepare and dress accordingly. By the way, if you choose to cancel, no problem - we'll be offering a similar AOC "O" participation event and Map/Compass tutorial again in the near future!  -Charlie

 IN A NUTSHELL:   Known for its excellent network of hiking trails and high rocky cliffs that tower above the river, the East Palisades unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) is conveniently located near the I-285/ I-75 Interchange in NW Atlanta. This AOC hiking adventure and map & compass learning experience will be held in conjunction with the Feb 19 "O Meet" hosted there by Charlie's friends in the GA Orienteering Club.
  Our AOC "subgroup" will gather at 9:30 AM in the upper parking lot (see detailed directions below).  Several dozen other participants from the O Club and the public at large will arrive a bit later.
  The event will be fun for hikers of all experience levels and great way to learn and practice map & compass skills.  Our "wayfaring O hike" will be at an easy to moderate pace and likely no more than 4 miles in length, along the scenic wooded trails adjoining the river, and occasionally a bit off-trail through parts of the forest.

EVENT PLAN:  After introductions we'll conduct a half-hour "refresher tutorial" for our AOC subgroup in the basics of how to use a compass in conjunction with a topographic map and how to find our way confidently through unfamiliar terrain.  We'll also discuss the basics of the sport of Orienteering and sign up to take part in the O Meet as a "wayfaring group" —see more below.
  We AOCers will then set off together on the “Yellow” O course, suitable for both experienced and beginner "O hikers".  Along the way we'll practice our map & compass skills to locate about ten partially hidden “control flags” whose locations are shown on our topo map.  After reaching each flag we’ll take a close look at our map and "clue sheet" and discuss appropriate “attack strategies” for finding the next flag in the course’s sequence.
  We’ll share several copies of the GAOC's East Palisades topographic map which we'll specially mark for the Yellow course. Bring your own compass if you have one – otherwise feel free to borrow one of our “loaner” compasses. We plan to take a relaxed “wayfaring” pace, although many O Meet competitors that day will be trying for max. speed between control flags.
  Our group O hike on the Yellow course is expected to last about 2 hours after which you're welcome to try part of a more advanced course on your own if you like.  The control flags will be picked up by O Club volunteers beginning at about 3:00 PM so it's important to check in back at the Start by then.

OPTIONAL POST-HIKE GROUP LUNCH (about 1:00 PM):  After the event feel free to join Charlie for lunch at a nearby restaurant - separate checks.  We can agree upon an appropriate spot at the meet and quickly caravan to it in our vehicles.

WHAT IS ORIENTEERING?  It’s a sport that blends the fun of a scavenger hunt with the adventure of navigating between flagged checkpoints in unfamiliar natural terrain. We “orienteer” using a detailed topographic map, a simple compass, and our judgment as to which route to take between partially hidden white & orange control flags whose positions and surrounding land & water features are shown on the map. Before tackling an O course we’re also usually given a "clue sheet" that describes the main topographic features in the immediate vicinity where each flag is hung.
  We’re fortunate to have in Atlanta a very active and friendly not-for-profit “O” club. GA Orienteering Club volunteers organize year-round “O Meets” and “O” education programs at parks and wilderness preserves throughout north Georgia.  The general public is welcomed at GAOC events without formal membership.  GAOC dues are only $8 per year (or $12 per couple, $15 per family) and members get discounted maps at O meets.  The map & registration fee at most meets, even for non-members, is only about $8.00.

More Info on GA Orienteering Club: www.GAOrienteering.org 

Great webpage on Compasses and how to use your compass with a map:
http://web.williams.edu/Biology/Faculty_Staff/hwilliams/Orienteering/compass.html

GAOC Online Tutorial on the basics of Orienteering:
http://gaorienteering.org/Education/BeginnerGuide/introduction.htm

More on Chattahoochee River National Rec Area: http://www.nps.gov/chat/