Patapsco Avalon

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May 16
Sunday

Patapsco Avalon

UPDATE AS OF MAY 12: We have received a permit but with significant limitations. This event will only offer Advanced (beige through blue) courses, and capacity will be limited. Registration will open Thursday May 13 at 6pm.

Welcome back to this section of Patapsco Valley State Park, where you'll find fairly typical ridge/valley terrain (similar to the other PVSP areas), with steep hillsides both to the start and on the courses. A limited set of advanced courses (beige through blue) will be available due to permit limitations.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION!
Due to the high level of usage in this particular section of the Pataspco State Park, the Park Managers have found it necessary from time to time to close the park and not allow any additional vehicular traffic into the park. If this should occur on Sunday the 16th, you must, repeat MUST, have a copy of your confirmed QOC registration for the Avalon event with you, either in paper form or on your smart phone in order to show it to the ranger on duty and gain admittance to the park for the QOC event. If you do not have your confirmation with you, the park staff will not allow you to enter the park once it is closed.

QOC’s COVID risk reduction protocols, as also enumerated here, will be in effect. Please read these guidelines carefully, particularly keeping in mind the need for participants to bring their own water for all their hydration needs before, during, and after their runs/walks.

Other points:

  • PROPERLY WORN MASKS ARE REQUIRED at all times when near registration and epunch areas and their volunteers. This applies to everyone, whether or not you have been vaccinated.
  • This section of Patapsco Valley State Park does have an entrance fee (corrected amounts shown below).
  • We encourage everyone to download and use any or even all of the DC, Maryland and Virginia COVID exposure notification apps.
  • Dogs are permitted at this event but must be leashed at all times.
  • We are discouraging groups at this event, and especially due to restricted capacity AND steep terrain, this is NOT the time for orienteers to try a more advanced course. The size of start teams (groups of individuals orienteering together with one e-punch) on a course must be no more than four (4) individuals (juniors and adults combined). Unregistered "tag-alongs" are not allowed (other than babies or toddlers). If you are planning to run an advanced course with three or more people, please contact the Event Director to explain why you need that many people on an advanced course.
  • There is no planned, on-site beginner instruction, but beginners are encouraged to watch relevant videos such as this one created by QOC's instructional guru David Onkst
Unable to get a slot before this event sold out, or interested in a beginner or intermediate course? Our DVOA friends to the north are hosting an event at Quail Hill (New Jersey) this Sunday as well; event and registration details are here.

Have any questions? Feel free to reach out to our Event Director or for general questions, just use our Contact Form.

Location

Patapsco Valley State Park, Avalon area, Elkridge, MD (Classic)

RegistrationRegistration for this event will open at 6pm on Thursday May 13 via this link. Registration will close no later than 6pm Sat. May 15 (the night before the event).
Who's registered? Check by clicking here. Sorting by column is possible too - just click on the column name.

This event will not offer beginner (white & yellow) or intermediate (orange) courses, and since capacity even for the remaining courses will be significantly less than usual, we expect registration will reach our limit relatively quickly.

Start TimesParticipants will register in advance for a specified 15 minute check-in window (including map pick-up), starting at 10:00am until the final window from 11:45am - Noon. Each window will be limited to a certain number of "starts" (solo individuals or groups, although in general this is not an event suitable for groups).
ScheduleSunday, May 16
10:00 am - 3:00 pmClassic:
Volunteers
Event Director:Cecilia Landers
Event Director:Jody Landers
Course Designer:Glenn Pastel
Location Details

Classic
Patapsco Valley State Park
Avalon area
Elkridge, MD
Google Map

From I-195 exit 3 in Elkridge MD, take US 1 South. Then take the first right, and very soon afterwards the first left into Patapsco State Park. Follow road to park entrance, pay the weekend park entrance fee ($2/vehicle in-state, $4/vehicle out-of-state), and then go left at the T intersection. The Avalon parking/registration area is just after the road curves to the right after crossing the river (near the large playground), and will be in one of the two pavilions.
Course DetailsClassic
Course NameLength (km)Climb (m)No. Controls
Beige 3.3908
Brown 3.71309
Green 5.922511
Red 6.826013
Blue 10.245018
Course NotesClassic

Mapping does not capture the green fight throughout the park. In particular, the southeast and northwest portions of the map include unlabeled dark green fight (0-50% speed) that could be encountered depending on route choice. It may be worth investigating alternative routes for clear woods that match the white on the map.
Otherwise, fast woods with plenty of climb.
For blue runners, consider bringing water and/or a snack. This course visits the north part of the park with some interesting controls but lots of climb.
Please send course feedback to the course setter.