West Dalmuir Independent courses
On the Dalmuir map, 13km east of Redwater, in the Redwater Natural Area. More location details below.
These courses are on yet another different Dalmuir map, with a start/finish area opposite the others on RR 205. These are CLASSIC distance courses, which have longer legs (consequently more route choice).
Note: If this is your first time on a forest map, you may find it easier to try one of the middle distance courses
IMPORTANT: we cannot guarantee that all the ribbons are still in place – wildlife tend to take them!
Differences from regular events:
For Orienteering Club members only.
NO registration banner, NO start banner, NO finish banner. NO direction signs. NO beginner instruction on site.
There are ribbons at most sites, but they have NO numbers, NO SI units, NO punches, and do NOT have flags.
NO fees, but we expect you to meet the requirements below.
Requirements: as well as the usual 2m physical distancing, following COVID-19 instructions from the authorities, and staying home if you are sick or required to self-isolate:
[compulsory] That you have a buddy or two out there at the same time as you (but not necessarily going out on the same course, nor arriving in the same vehicle)
[compulsory] that you are self-sufficient: including 2 printed copies of the course(s) you expect to do (one to give your buddy). These have control descriptions.
Courses downloaded at home from the MapRunF app if you are able, and the code written down for all of them.
a map bag, whistle [compulsory], compass [compulsory] .
water (lots, as these are longer courses and you may be further from the road) and snacks.
Be aware of the weather forecast, so sunscreen/hat/raincoat?
LONG PANTS recommended (against ticks and pokey branches)
Sanitizer
Fully charged cell phone if possible (reception is quite good over all the map)
Small first aid kit (in a car)
There are toilets at the ATV parking area (but bring some toilet tissue)
Plenty of COMMON SENSE
Terrain:
Sandhill terrain with subtle hills. 2.5m contour interval. Main trails are sandy and churned up by ATVs and dirt bikes – tough to walk along. Deadfall is shown marked with wide- or narrow- spaced vertical green lines. Some newer deadfall not marked.
On this side of RR205 there are many marshes. Most of them are mapped with one of the four different symbols in the International Specification for Orienteering Maps to indicate how wet each is (horizontal blue lines). A legend for those is listed on the printable map.
Hazards:
Wild animals
The marshes. Do NOT cross any marked as uncrossable.
ATV and dirt bikes – very loud, but they scare away the wild life, and the operators are generally polite. If you are on a trail, be prepared to step off the trail if you hear them coming.
Check for ticks when you get home (we don’t want you to be the first club member to get Lyme disease).
Safety:
Safety Bearing for all the WEST Dalmuir courses is EAST TO THE ROAD.
If you are using the app, there’s an easy way of bailing out if you are lost/confused, explained in the last paragraph on the independent page.
Give your second copy of the map to your buddy. Arrange with your buddy a time at which you will meet after doing the courses.
Nearest Hospital: at the west end of Redwater 780-942-3932 has an emergency dept. From the event site, go north to the T-junction. Go west/left on Twp 574 for about 13km in a straight line. Road designation/surface changes several times. Shown on the location map.
RCMP detachment 780-942-3607 is next door to the Hospital.
9-1-1 works for all emergencies.
Courses:
These courses are to CLASSIC Distance standards – with longer legs.
Choose by Technical Difficulty (TD) NOT by length. NO absolute beginner or novice course. No beginner instruction available on site.
TD3 an intermediate course, 3.6*km with 12 controls, up to 100m from a trail. Some route choice. It is possible to NOT have to cross a marsh for this one (except for one intermittent marsh between C10 & C11)
TD4 3.2*km long with 11 controls,
TD5 4.2* km long, 16C
TD5 5.3* km long, 13C
TD5 6.2* km long 14C
*These are as-the-crow-flies distances. You will almost certainly go further, especially if you want to avoid crossing marshes.
Directions:
Northern Simple Route: Take Hwy 28 north to the Redwater turn-off. After the realignment bend, (passing Tim Horton’s, Hospital, RCMP detachment) drive straight i.e. due EAST, for approx 13km. The road changes from paved to gravel, and the road number changes TWICE! Just drive straight. At RR 205, turn right/south. Start/finish location [unmarked] will be 1km south of the open area (where the ATVers park), or 2.7km north of Victoria Trail, on the WEST side of the road.
Or via Fort Saskatchewan, then northeast on Hwy 15, north on SH 830, west on Hwy 38, crossing the Vinca Bridge. Then turn north onto Victoria Trail at the Den of Antiquity sign. After 3- 4km, turn left at RR 205
Start/finish location [unmarked] will be on the WEST side of RR 205, 2.7km north of Victoria Trail and 1km south of the open area (where the ATVers park).
Or via the Ugly Industrial route, Manning Drive, north on SH 825, which is currently being twinned, east on SH 643, then east (right) on Hwy 38 . Then turn north/left onto Victoria Trail at the Den of Antiquity sign. After about 3-4km, turn left at RR 205.
Start/finish location [unmarked] will be on the WEST side of RR205, 2.7km north of Victoria Trail and 1km south of the open area (where the ATVers park).
Or enter GPS coordinates N53.929 W112.951 into your phone or in Google maps.
Location map here: www.orienteer.ab.ca/dalmuir5location/
Organizer: Geraint Edmunds, Orienteering Canada level 300 official. Helpers: Greg, Einar, Judy, Marilyn
Middle distance courses starting on RR 204 here
Middle distance courses starting on RR 205 here
Classic distance Dalmuir courses on RR 205 here
Blackfoot Independent courses here
Independent orienteering general info here
How to use Route Gadget here here