Helpers needed!

Can you spare 45 minutes to help with Registration, instruction, computer input, or control pick-up? Can you "mentor" an Orange runner?
Sign-up at https://volunteersignup.org/X98LX or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. directly.

Course info

White (2.1 km, 85m climb, 9 controls); follows non-trail handrails (stonewall, forest "ride") with flagging
Yellow (2.2 km, 85m, 7 controls); uses different trail system from white.
Orange (4.1 km, 130m, 8 controls)
Brown (3.2 km, 120m, 7 controls)
Green (5.2 km, 210m, 10 controls) Water @ one control
Red (6.8 km, 320m, 12 controls) Water @ one control
Blue (7.5 km, 330m, 12 controls) Water @ one control

All courses share a 300m walk to start (to get away from the road and registration).  Finish is near registration/download.

We will be using the same registration site as last year (Nov 2018).  Parking is limited along the shoulder of Westminster Rd; carpooling encouraged.

Wachusett Mountain State Park offers quite an orienteering challenge. The map features a mix of terrain: some areas of intricate rock detail, other areas of complicated contours, and still other areas of vague hillside. Most of the map is light green, reflecting an understory of beech trees, but with the foliage off the trees, visibility will be decent.  The courses remain in areas of the map (which dates from the 90s) which are still reasonably accurate and up-to-date.  The area around most courses' first control was updated to reflect the rock features and vegetation present.

The courses take advantage of the challenge of this terrain--this may not be the best event to try "running up" on a more difficult/longer course; or give yourself plenty of time.  For the many controls hung on subtle features, they are hung to be visible.

Water -
Due to anticipated overnight freezing, only the longest advanced courses (Gr, R, Bl) can expect water on the course (unless an additional volunteer contacts the meet director to place additional water on the morning of the event).

Improve your skills

Given the challenges of the terrain and courses, this is a good event to partner with a more advanced orienteer for your course (hearing and seeing what an expert thinks and observes).
Or "go back out" after your course to areas you struggled to understand. Volunteer to pull a few controls (when courses close at 2PM) — you'll improve your skills and help the club.

Our thanks to Massachusetts DCR and the Wachusett park staff for again assisting us in using this great orienteering venue.