Patuxent

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October 26
Sunday

Patuxent Park trailThis week at Patuxent we'll have two score-O courses and one traditional white course. For those who haven't done a score-O before, the course consists of a number of controls scattered throughout the woods, which may be visited in any order. Register anytime between 10:45am - 1:15pm, start between 11 - 1:30, and be back at the finish no later than 3pm. Pre-registration is not needed (or offered) for this event (but is needed for next week's Great Falls meet).

Controls have different point values, depending for the most part on the degree of difficulty, ranging from 5 to 20 points. There is a time limit of 90 minutes, and the object is to get as many points as you can in the time available. A penalty of five points is deducted for every minute over 90 minutes. Most people won't be able to get to all of them, so there's some strategy involved. Is your time is better spent getting a quick 5 points, or spending some more time to get a 20-pointer? What's the most efficient way to route yourself from control to control?

Epunch box has correct number The "long" course consists of controls that are mostly at a blue/red/green/brown level of difficulty (there are a few easier ones) scattered across a wide area. The "short" course consists of controls that are mostly at an orange level of difficulty, with a few yellows and a few harder ones thrown in for good measure. Update! Note that the scale for the Score-O maps is 1:15000, while the White course map is at 1:7500.

When considering difficulty, for controls numbered between 7 and 50, the higher the number the more difficult; controls 101 and over are easy. Beware that the number or letter pattern on the control itself doesn't relate to anything and you should ignore it - see the photo to the left. The number on the epunch control box is what counts.

For those who prefer a traditional course, we will have a traditional white course with 10 controls, 2.9 km long, and 25 meters of climb.

New to orienteering? We will hold beginner clinics continuously during the event; just tell the friendly folks at registration if you'd like to be in one and they'll take care of you. Also, make sure to check out our Your First Event and For Beginners webpages, and if they don't answer any question you have, just use our Contact Us form and ask away!

Group Leaders: please see our For Group Leaders webpage and then contact the Event Director so your group can get pre-registered in advance.

Many thanks to Dave Linthicum for allowing us to piggyback off of his control setting for the previous day's Boy Scout orienteering event and for letting us use his controls.

Location

Patuxent River Park, Barn parking area, Upper Marlboro, MD (Score Orienteering)

RegistrationNo advance registration required. Just show up and have fun!
Start TimesYou may start your course at any time during the start window detailed in the meet notes.
ScheduleSunday, October 26
11:00 am - 1:30 pmScore Orienteering: Start window (start any time between 11 - 1:30)
Volunteers
Event Director:Mike Lieder
Course Designer:Russ Damtoft
Location Details

Score Orienteering
Patuxent River Park
Barn parking area
Upper Marlboro, MD
Google Map

From the MD. Rt. 4 Capital Beltway exit, head south/east on Rt. 4 for 3 miles. Exit onto Woodyard Rd (Rt. 223) south. Immediately turn left at the light onto Osbourne Rd. After 3 miles you'll reach a traffic light and a junction with US Rt. 301. Turn left on 301 then immediately turn right at the next light onto Croom Rd. (Rt. 382). Signs for Patuxent River Park begin at this turn. After 3.5 miles, turn left on Croom Airport Road and continue for 2 miles to the park entrance, passing the junction with Duvall Rd. on the way. At the park entrance, continue straight towards the Group Camp Area (do not turn left towards the park's visitor center). Turn right onto the driveway leading to a barn and picnic pavilion when you reach a large field on the right hand side of the road. The parking, registration, start and finish areas are shown below on the arena map.

Alternatively, from the Capital Beltway (I-495), take Exit 11A, (Pennsylvania Ave), Route 4 east for 8 miles. Take Route 301 south for 1.7 miles. Turn left on Croom Station Road and continue for 1.6 miles. Turn left on Croom Road (Route 382) and proceed for 1.5 miles. Turn left on Croom Airport Road and proceed to the park entrance as described above.

From the junction of Route 50 and Route 301, take Route 301 south for 15 miles. Turn left onto Croom Station Road and go 3.5 miles before turning left again onto Croom Airport Road. Follow it to the park entrance and proceed as described above.
Google Maps Link
Apple/iPhone Link

Course DetailsScore Orienteering
Course NameLength (km)Climb (m)No. Controls
White Classic 2.92510
Short Score 27
Long Score 29
Entry FeesIndividual 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
  • At the event, we can only accept payment in cash or check; online, you may use a credit card or PayPal account.
  • You may become a member at the event or by joining online 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.
  • 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.