PNWOF2022: Ultimate Orienteer #7 – Fishtrap Lake (Goat)
WATER: will be provided at one or two controls per course (or on nearby trails). It can get hot at Fishtrap in June, so you are strongly encouraged to carry your own.
COVID-19
Please take the following precautions during the event.
- You don’t need to wear a mask at our events if you are vaccinated, but mask wearing is encouraged in congested areas or if you are not vaccinated and near others
- Please stay home if you are sick; we’ll happily refund your entry fee if you have tested positive for COVID-19
- Keep a six foot distance from others when it is practical, or at least avoid being in close proximity for a long time in still air
- Limit touching of shared surfaces and items, and clean your hands before and after
Thank you for helping us keep our events safe and fun for you and everyone else!
Event #7/7 in the Ultimate Orienteer Series!
Wrap up the Ultimate Series and the Pacific Northwest Orienteering Festival with a goat at Fishtrap Lake!
This event is part of the Pacific Northwest Orienteering Festival. Register through the PNWOF registration site for the entire festival or select the events you want to attend. ;
The format for this event is Goat, ultralong distance with the opportunity to skip one or two controls.
On the Ibex and Goat courses, you can skip two non-consecutive controls.
On the Kid and Zygoat courses, you can skip one control.
You cannot skip any controls on the Beginner course.
Volunteer points
COC members, you may use volunteer points to pay for a portion of your entry fee (for Fishtrap events ONLY). Email pnwof@cascadeoc.org and ask for a discount code. Registration for the festival will close Thursday, June 2 at midnight PDT. Registration for just the Fishtrap events will be open until Wednesday, June 8 at 9pm PDT.
Before you register, see the Pacific Northwest Orienteering Festival page for important details!
Volunteer
We can always use volunteers! Take a look at the list and sign up now!
Terrain
Experience the unique scabland terrain of Fishtrap Lake, where the vistas are expansive but details are plentiful. There are few trails in this area, so you’ll appreciate the plethora of contour and rock details as you traverse this beautiful desert area. June is a great time of year for wildflowers here, so you might want to take a moment to enjoy them.
Out of Bounds areas
Most of the area we’re using belongs to the Bureau of Land Management. They have identified several sensitive areas, which are out of bounds for our competition. These areas are clearly marked on the map with vertical purple lines. The courses have been designed to avoid them, so make sure your route choice does not include travel through ANY out of bounds areas!
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking is only allowed for control pickup, so if you want to ride your bike, please volunteer to pick up controls after the event is over.
Dogs
Per our permit agreement with the BLM, your dog is not allowed to accompany you on the course. Please respect this restriction.
Camping
Camping areas near Fishtrap:
- Fishtrap Lake Resort (flush toilets and hot water but NO hot showers)
- Sprague Lake Resort (flush toilets and hot showers available)
- Four Seasons Campground and Resort (flush toilets and hot showers available)
Lodging possibilities
Below are just a few lodging possibilities in the general vicinity of Fishtrap Lake. There could be others. This list is provided as information only and does not imply that we recommend any particular location.
- Sprague (10 miles) – Sprague Motel & RV Park
- Cheney (15 miles) – Holiday Inn, Willow Springs Motel
- Spokane (30 miles) – numerous lodging possibilities; check out VisitSpokane for specific locations
COURSES
Course designer(s): Ott Toomet
This information is without skipping any controls.
| Course | # Controls | Length, km | Climb, m | Map scale |
| Beginner | 8 | 1.8 | 25 | 1:5,000 |
| Zygoat | 13 | 5.9 | 175 | 1:7,500 |
| Kid | 15 | 8.2 | 235 | 1:10,000 |
| Ibex | 17 | 13.4 | 325 | 1:15,000 |
| Goat | 28 | 18.6 | 475 | 1:15,000 |
What is my age class?
Goat Class Assignments for Ultimate points
If you want to earn Ultimate points, check the table below to see which category you should sign up for. Find your age class in the left column, then follow the row across to the right until you find the dark orange cell. That is your “assigned” category.
For example, if you’re a female 16 or under, your Ultimate age class is F-16 and, for this event, is assigned to the Zygoat course. If you are up for a more challenging course, you can also earn points in F-18 on the Kid, or F-21+ on the Ibex. Just keep in mind that other courses are more difficult, both navigationally and physically. Also keep in mind that you’ll be earning points only in the class you sign up for.
Hazards
Possible hazards include the occasional rattlesnake, small patches of poison oak, and grazing cattle.
Water
Water will be provided at one or two controls per course (or on nearby trails). It can get hot at Fishtrap in June, so we strongly encourage you to carry your own.
How are courses measured?
Courses are measured as the crow flies, in a direct line from control to control. Unless you have wings, you will travel farther than this distance! Courses are measured in kilometers, so a good rule of thumb is to simply round up to miles to estimate how far you will go. So in a 5 kilometer race, you’ll likely travel up to 5 miles.
COURSE NOTES
Check back later for special notes from the Course Designer(s).
SCHEDULE
8:00-8:45 am – Check-in
8:00-8:30 am – Newcomer instruction
8:50 am – map handout, Goat/Ibex (no peeking)
9:00 am – Goat/Ibex mass start
9:05 am – map handout, Kid/Zygoat (no peeking)
9:15 am – Kid/Zygoat mass start
9:30-11:30 – Beginner course open
2:30 pm – Courses close (return to Download by this time to avoid disqualification)*
*If you think you might take a long time on the course, consider doing a shorter course. Also, wear a watch to ensure that you return to the finish by course closure time, even if you have to abandon your course to do so. Those returning after course closure will be disqualified and will make the volunteer staff very grumpy.
PRICES
What’s an e-punch?
An e-punch records your race. At each control, you’ll dip the e-punch into an electronic box, which will beep and flash as confirmation. After you finish, you’ll download the e-punch at the download tent and get a receipt that show which controls you visited and how long you took between each; these are your “splits.”
Part of the fun of orienteering is comparing your splits with people who completed the same course, and discussing the routes you took!
SIGN UP
LOCATION
PARKING
CARPOOL
Looking for a carpool? Join our Google mail group and share your request to find a ride.
THE MAP
Featuring unique scabland terrain, Fishtrap Lake is challenging, yet accessible, and a complete joy to navigate. On one hand, there are tons of tiny cliffs and rock details. On the other hand, there are so few trees here, that the views are expansive, allowing you to orient yourself off of faraway cliffs. Fishtrap also provides a perfect opportunity to test compass skills, since there is little to stop you from beelining straight to the next control.
Read more on the map pageEMERGENCY/FIRST AID
If you have a medical emergency, call 911. Cell reception is not guaranteed at the event site. You may have to drive 4 or 5 miles north to get reception.
Closest emergency facility
Providence Holy Family Hospital (37 miles)
5633 Lidgerwood St
Spokane WA 99208
509.482.0111
emergency room open 24/7
SAFETY & ETIQUETTE
Return to the Finish
All participants MUST return to the finish and download their e-punch or turn in their punch card.
Even if you have not finished your course, you must still return to the the finish and confirm with event staff that you have returned safely.
Out of Bounds
Some areas may be marked out of bounds. It is imperative to respect these boundaries to maintain our relationships with land managers. Participants MUST NOT go out of bounds. Any participant caught going out of bounds will be disqualified.
Course Closure
All participants MUST return to the finish by course closure time. If a participant does not return by course closure, event volunteers will begin coordinating a search party.
If you need a long time on the course, start as early in the start window as possible, wear a watch, and be prepared to cut your course short to make it back by the course closure time.
Whistle
All participants MUST carry a whistle on the course. Complimentary whistles are available at the start tent (please only take one).
If you are injured on the course and need assistance, blow three long blasts to call for help.
If you hear a call for help, abandon your course to find the person in distress.
Voices
Part of the fun and fairness of orienteering is navigating your own course, so please be polite when you find a checkpoint and don’t holler that you’ve found it.
