Dalmuir Independent
Latest update: June 20 – several flags have disappeared, likely taken by wildlife. MapRunF app will still work. If you have just the map, check the control description, then move on.
On the Dalmuir map, 13km east of Redwater, in the Redwater Natural Area. More location details below.
Available: from Saturday May 16, any daylight hours (up to 2 hours before sunset.
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 (assorted) orienteering flags at most sites, but they have NO numbers, NO SI units, NO punches. The two easier courses have ribbons at some controls instead of flags – the ribbons do have numbers.
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:
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]
Be self-sufficient: 2 printed copies of the course(s) you expect to do (one to give your buddy) [compulsory]
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 and snacks
Be aware of the weather forecast, so sunscreen/hat?
LONG PANTS recommended (against ticks and pokey branches)
Bug spray !!!!!!!
Fully charged cell phone if possible (reception is quite good over all the map)
Small first aid kit (in a car)
Toilet paper in a ziploc bag (no facilities out there)
Plenty of COMMON SENSE
Terrain:
Sandhill terrain with subtle hills. 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.
Hazards:
Wild animals
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 middle distance courses is WEST 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 Middle Distance standards – lots of controls and changes of direction. A national champion would finish these in 25 minutes.
Choose by Technical Difficulty NOT by length. NO absolute beginner course. No beginner instruction available on site.
TD2 a novice course with 11 controls on or next to trails. Orange/white diagonal stripe tape or occasional flag. Use your compass to keep the map oriented.
TD3 an intermediate course with 11 controls, up to 100m from a trail. Some route choice.
TD4 (14C) mostly a TD3 with lots of changes of direction, use of catching features and aiming off.
TD5 (11C) shorter advanced
TD5 (13C) longer advanced
BEST IDEA: choose two courses to print (2 copies of each). One that you are certain that you can do easily, do it first; then one harder to do afterwards if you were successful with the first one (otherwise, you could do the first one again). NB therefore no-one should do the longer advanced first.
Directions:
Northern Simple Route: Take Hwy 28 north to the Redwater turn-off. After the realignment bend, 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, which is visible on your O map), or 2.7km north of Victoria Trail.
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 EAST side of RR 205, 2.7km north of Victoria Trail and 1km south of the open area (the ATVers parking lot, which is visible on your O map).
Or via the Ugly Industrial route, Manning Drive, north on SH 825, east on SH 643, then east (right) on Hwy 38 . Then turn north 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 EAST side of RR205, 2.7km north of Victoria Trail and 1km south of the open area (the ATVers parking lot, which is visible on your O map ).
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 and MapRunF administrator for Alberta.
Thanks to Judy, Beth, Stefan, Greg, Marilyn, Garry and Doug for help vetting the courses.