2024 Ultimate Orienteer #6 – Teanaway Forks (Goat)
There will be NO WATER controls on the courses so please bring enough water to stay hydrated.
Event #6/9 in the Ultimate Orienteer Series!
Teanaway Weekend – Day 1
Head over the mountains for a weekend of orienteering fun in the Teanaway Community Forest!
- Saturday, May 18– Teanaway Forks, Goat
- Sunday, May 19 – Dickey Creek, Middle distance Freestyle
We’ll start the weekend with a goat event at Teanaway Forks. For this event, we’ll offer four long-distance courses with a twist: skip 1 or 2 controls (depending on which course you do) of your choice.
Find out more about Goat events!
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.
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.
| Age Class | Course |
| • Female 16 and Under • Open 16 and Under |
Zygoat |
| • Female 18 and Under • Open 18 and Under • Female 20 and Under • Female 50+ • Open 50+ • Female 70+ • Open 70+ |
Kid |
| • Female 21+ • Open 20 and Under |
Ibex |
| • Open 21+ | Goat |
Skipped Controls
As is often the case in a Goat event, you are permitted to skip one or more non-consecutive controls, depending on which course you do.
Zygoat – 1 skip
Kid – 2 skips (non-consecutive)
Ibex, Goat – 2 skips (non-consecutive)
Camping/Lodging
There’s free camping near Teanaway and a selection of hotels in Cle Elum.
COURSES
Course designer(s): Mack Malloch
- Beginner – 2.6k, 8 controls, 70m climb (no skips)
- Zygoat (intermediate) – 5.1k, 11 controls, 170m climb (1 skipped control)
- Kid (advanced) – 7.2k, 14 controls, 195m climb (2 non-consecutive skipped controls)
- Ibex (advanced) – 11.6k, 18 controls, 370m climb (2 non-consecutive skipped controls)
- Goat (advanced) – 16.3k, 25 controls, 580m climb (2 non-consecutive skipped controls)
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
There have been several changes in the Teanaway Forks area since this map was originally built. I have made updates in areas which are relevant to controls. This largely consisted of removing what were once logging tracks that degraded to trails and are now not even distinct enough to call trails. In some cases, you can still see remnants of what were once logging tracks, but unless there is some kind of trail still present, I removed these. The beginner course has a leg (4-5) that goes on one of these less distinct logging tracks. I have flagged this section to make it navigable.
The Goat, Ibex, and Kid courses are intentionally more challenging than average and will have several controls that should test your skill. You will need your compass and will need to know how to use it.
While stumps are mapped, they were done a long time ago, so I would not put too much weight on these as a feature unless they are a control feature; same goes for rootstocks.
Near the end of all courses, the route crosses a dirt road. While traffic is typically minimal, please use caution when crossing.
As of 4/28 the entire area is snow free.
Mack Malloch, course designer
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
9:30-11:30am – 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
Pre-registration only!
$22 base price
– subtract $5 for Cascade OC members
– subtract $5 for using your own e-punch
Participating as a group? Just $5 for each additional adult (18+) group
member, no cost for additional minors.
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
Discover Pass Required
This venue is part of the Teanaway Community Forest and you will need a Discover Pass to park. You can purchase a Discover Pass (annual or one-day) online or in person at many hunting/fishing license vendors or at several retail locations. Check the Discover Pass website for details.
CARPOOL
Looking for a carpool? Join the club email group and share your request to find a ride.
THE MAP
Part of a chain of orienteering maps in the Teanaway Community Forest, Teanaway Forks (or “Teanaway Valley”) is rugged, challenging, and beautiful. There is a fair amount of contour details and lots of open pine forest and grassland. However, vegetation becomes quickly outdated here, so do not rely on vegetation alone; contours are your best friend!
New orienteers should consider choosing a shorter or easier course than usual.
Teanaway Forks is rugged and moderately hilly, with some especially steep areas that nice course designers try to avoid. Deadfall on the ground makes running or hiking more strenuous.
Read more on the map pageSAFETY & 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.
