Nobscot Night Orienteering

1:10000

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Most of NEOC's mapped parks are run by organizations which explicitly prohibit activities after dark. However, the Nobscot Scout Reservation has graciously granted permission for us to hold the first Night Orienteering event in Massachusetts in the past few years on Saturday, September 24.

Three courses will be offered:

• Beginner - a 1.5 km course of hard yellow/easy orange difficulty
• Short - a 3.2 km advanced course
• Long - a 5.3 km advanced course

Newcomers to night-O are encouraged to try the beginner course. Groups of two or more are welcome to go out together. A primary and backup flashlight are required for competitors. The backup light doesn't need to be powerful - just enough to get you out of the woods if your primary light malfunctions. Whistles will be provided.

Night orienteering takes place entirely in the dark. Competitors typically wear headlamps (though a regular flashlight will more than suffice) and search for reflective controls. Unlike orienteering during the day, there is much less visual information available - you can only see what is within the beam of your flashlight. Night-O requires a different skill set than day orienteering. It is very popular in Scandinavia, especially in the fall and spring. Two major relay events - Jukola and Tiomila - have night legs in the men's race.

Night-O is a fantastic experience, and we encourage everyone to come try it. Please direct any questions you have to Ian Smith.

From Rt. 20 in Sudbury take Nobscot Rd. south for 1 mile. Nobscot Rd. is just west of Friendly's. [Google map]