Map & Compass Orienteering Hike at Powers Island in NW Atlanta

OVERVIEW:  This hiking adventure and map & compass learning experience will be held in conjunction with the "Orienteering Meet" on Sun Jan 30 hosted by Charlie's friends in the GA Orienteering Club.  The Meet will begin at 9:45 AM at the Powers Island unit of the Chattahoochee River Nat'l Rec Area (CRNRA) here in NW Atlanta (detailed directions below).  Several dozen other participants will be there from the "O Club" and from the public at large.  The event should be fun for hikers and map/compass aficionados of all experience levels.  Our "wayfaring O hike" will be at an easy to moderate pace and less than 3 miles in length, predominantly along the scenic wooded trails adjoining the river, and occasionally a bit off-trail through parts of the forest.
  The Powers Island unit and parking lot are directly across the river from the better known "Cochran Shoals" unit and lot (frequented daily by hundreds of hikers, joggers and dog walkers).  Both units are on north side of the I-285 "Interstate North Parkway" access road, just a hundred yards or so upstream of where the Chattahoochee flows underneath I-285 in NW Atlanta.

EVENT PLAN:  After we introduce one another we'll conduct a brief refresher for our AOC "subgroup" in the basics of how to use a compass in conjunction with a topographic map to find our way confidently through unfamiliar terrain.  We'll also discuss the basics of the sport of Orienteering and sign up as a "wayfaring group" to take part in the "O Meet."—see more below.
  We AOCers will then set off together on the “Yellow” O course, (suitable for both experienced and beginner "O hikers") practicing 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 look at our map and "clue sheet" and discuss appropriate “attack strategies” to find the next flag in the course’s sequence.
  We’ll share several copies of the GAOC's Powers Island topographic map specially marked for the Yellow course. Bring your own compass if you have one – otherwise you may use one of our free “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 "O hike" is expected to last about 2 hours after which you're welcome to try a more advanced course if you like.  The advanced option at this meet is a style of orienteering called "Motala."  If you opt to try the Powers Island Motala you'll do up to 3 successive advanced O courses, and try to find on each course about 10 sequential control flags. Participants return to the Start area after completing the first & second course and trade in the map they've used for a similar map showing the location the next 10 flags.  All 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 at "MOE'S" (About 1:00 PM):  After the event feel free to join me (Charlie) for a Tex-Mex-style lunch and/or refreshments at Moe's Southwest Grill, just a 1-mile drive west of the O-Meet at 2022 Powers Ferry Road SE # 200, Atlanta, GA 30339 (corner of Windy Ridge Pkwy, Phone 770-956-0018).

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 welcome to participate in GAOC events without formal membership.  Membership dues are only $8 per year (or $12 per couple, $15 per family).

For more on the GA Orienteering Club go to:
http://gaorienteering.org

The O Club has an excellent online "Tutorial" for beginners at:
http://gaorienteering.org/Education/BeginnerGuide/introduction.htm

For more on the Chattahoochee River National Rec Area, go to:
http://www.nps.gov/chat/