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Sunday
Come enjoy a full set of courses in this classic QOC terrain, courtesy of course setter Daniel Heimgartner. The full range of courses from white (beginner) through blue (advanced) will be available. No preregistration is needed, and event timing will be as follows: registration will be open from 10:45am - 1:15pm, you can start anytime between 11am - 1:30pm, and everyone must be out of the woods by 3:00pm.
As usual, youth groups and other large groups planning to attend this event should contact the Event Director in advance so that we can coordinate pre-registration for your group; the group registration and waiver form is part of the information on our Group Leaders page.
Additional information:
- As long as it's dry enough, the nearby mountain bike course is expected to be open (weather dependent), so bring your bike and get a great ride before or after running an orienteering course. PDF map via this page. In case of rain, call the trail hotline at 703-250-9124 to check on status.
- Carpooling is encouraged as a courtesy to other park users.
- Dogs on leash are welcome.
- GPS watch loaner program continues, for anyone interested in trying one out. See Jon Torrance at the event.
- FYI: at this time of year, the miniature golf course and the marina are closed.
- Feel free to use our Contact Us form if you have any questions!
| Location | Fountainhead Regional Park, Main parking area, Fairfax Station, Virginia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Registration | No advance registration required. Just show up and have fun! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Start Times | You may start your course at any time during the start window listed below for your event. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Schedule |
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| Volunteers |
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| Location Details |
Fountainhead Regional Park, Main parking area, Fairfax Station, Virginia
One route among several: Take I-95 south of the Beltway, exit at Lorton Road (exit 163), go west 2.1 miles (4th stop light) and at the end of the road take a right onto Route 123. Drive 1.3 miles to Hampton Road, then turn left at the fire station and drive 3 miles to the park entrance on the left. |
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| Course Details |
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| Course Notes |
As everybody knows who has been to this area, it is very physical. Lots of up and down, but unfortunately, there is no way around it.
The Park Authority is in the process of re-aligning the Blue Trail (the major trail), due to erosion from overuse. Orange and advanced courses are affected by this. The paint blazes on the trees and other markers from earlier trail routes are still there. Many of the trails from the past are indistinct now. We have mapped the new trail locations, but be extra careful when using them (no blaming of the mappers, please). Water will be at some controls for the Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, and White courses. The Brown and Orange courses will pass a location with water as printed on the map. This location is also printed on the other maps. If your route choice leads you past it, you are welcome to a drink too. However, everybody, please use provided cups only; do not drink directly from the jug. In general, the map is in good shape, but as always, vegetation is doubtful as a navigation help. Whenever you come to a stream with an ice covering on it, don't assume the ice is thick enough to carry you. Play it safe. And finally, as always - have fun! |
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| Entry Fees | Individual Entries
Note: juniors = under 21
Team or Group Entries Participants are welcome to compete together as a single team entry. Teams containing one or more nonmembers are charged the nonmember individual rate. Teams containing one or more adults are charged the adult individual rate. For teams to receive member or junior rates, all members of the team must be members or juniors, respectively. Each extra team map beyond the first is an additional $2. Individuals or teams desiring to compete on a second course can do so for a reduced fee of $2/map. Important Notes
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Location
Registration
No advance registration required. Just show up and have fun!
Start Times
You may start your course at any time during the start window listed below for your event.
Schedule
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Sunday, January 28
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location Details
One route among several: Take I-95 south of the Beltway, exit at Lorton Road (exit 163), go west 2.1 miles (4th stop light) and at the end of the road take a right onto Route 123. Drive 1.3 miles to Hampton Road, then turn left at the fire station and drive 3 miles to the park entrance on the left.
Course Details
| Course Name | Length (km) | Climb (m) | No. Controls |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 1.6 | 40 | 10 |
| Yellow | 2.3 | 60 | 12 |
| Orange | 3.6 | 120 | 10 |
| Brown | 3.4 | 140 | 10 |
| Green | 5.1 | 210 | 11 |
| Red | 7.2 | 290 | 18 |
| Blue | 9.2 | 330 | 24 |
Course Notes
The Park Authority is in the process of re-aligning the Blue Trail (the major trail), due to erosion from overuse. Orange and advanced courses are affected by this. The paint blazes on the trees and other markers from earlier trail routes are still there. Many of the trails from the past are indistinct now. We have mapped the new trail locations, but be extra careful when using them (no blaming of the mappers, please).
Water will be at some controls for the Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, and White courses. The Brown and Orange courses will pass a location with water as printed on the map. This location is also printed on the other maps. If your route choice leads you past it, you are welcome to a drink too. However, everybody, please use provided cups only; do not drink directly from the jug.
In general, the map is in good shape, but as always, vegetation is doubtful as a navigation help.
Whenever you come to a stream with an ice covering on it, don't assume the ice is thick enough to carry you. Play it safe.
And finally, as always - have fun!
Entry Fees
Individual Entries
Note: juniors = under 21
| Club Member, adult | Club Member, junior | Non-Member, adult | Non-Member, junior | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epunch Owner | $5 | $5 | $10 | $5 |
| Epunch Borrower | $10 | $5 | $15 | $10 |
Team or Group Entries
Participants are welcome to compete together as a single team entry. Teams containing one or more nonmembers are charged the nonmember individual rate. Teams containing one or more adults are charged the adult individual rate. For teams to receive member or junior rates, all members of the team must be members or juniors, respectively. Each extra team map beyond the first is an additional $2. Individuals or teams desiring to compete on a second course can do so for a reduced fee of $2/map.
Important Notes- If you wish to become a QOC member you should join online in advance via this webpage (which also explains the member benefits). Membership is completely optional.
- Most of our events use an 'epunch' timing chip for electronic timing. Individuals or groups without their own epunch pay a higher entry fee (see above), which includes the loan of an epunch for that event. Loaned epunches that are lost incur a $40 replacement fee. Epunches (also known as SI-cards or finger sticks) are usually available for sale at each event as described here.
- Former QOC members who have let their membership lapse pay non-member fees.
- Compasses are available at no charge, but if lost incur a $15 replacement fee.
- Please provide collateral (driver's license or car keys) when borrowing a compass or epunch.
- For additional safety, whistles are available for sale at $1/each.
- Free beginner instruction is always available - just ask at the registration table.
