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Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com www.TheCatoctinBanner.com The Catoctin Banner Newspaper April 2016 Page 41
from under the leaf litter, to the reasons that include protection of
by Chris O’Connor mixed hardwood trees towering growing flora and protecting hikers
overhead and the delightful noise of from ticks.
Trail maps can be obtained at the
the creek flowing under the bridge,
mountain talk crossing just feet away from the Visitor’s Center.
The orienteering class is offered
beginning of the trek.
Although the orienteering course
doesn’t follow trails, Catoctin at no charge throughout weekends
in March and again in November.
Orienteering at Mountain Park contains twenty- registration is necessary.
Class sizes are limited, so pre-
five miles of established trails for
Call the Visitor Center at 301-
Catoctin Mountain hikers. Hikers can obtain a trail 663-9388 to register or for further
map at the Visitors Center: folks
can choose loops for shorter hikes
information.
Park or other destinations like one of the Catoctin Mountain Park, access the
For general information regarding
many scenic overlooks with varying
degrees of difficulty. website at www.nps.gov/cato.
Printed on the reverse side of
the map I acquired at the Visitor’s
There comes a time in everyone’s “I actually appreciate questions,” Center is a guide chart with trail
life when they choose to change Ranger Gaul said, adding, “It gives names with their respective round-
course to reach their destination. But me feedback. I know if I’m getting trip mileage, estimated hiking time,
the question is which way to turn? the message across or not. If one the ascent in footage, location of
Orienteering is a means to help person doesn’t understand what I trailhead, a brief description of the
one find a way through forest and said, chances are there are other trail attributes, and ratings from
field, over mountains and across people in the room who don’t get it “easy” to “strenuous.”
deserts. Armed with the basic either.” Cold rain discouraged continuing
technique of using a compass and Each participant is supplied with on the orienteering course, but
topographical map, hikers can find a compass and topographic map. orienteers are welcome to hone
their destinations. The map shows the orienteering their skills while the course is open.
I’ve always wanted to learn course “controls,” 4x4 inch brown Inquire at the Visitor’s Center for
compass skills in the unlikely event painted posts that sport numbers or specific course closure dates, but
I ever became lost in the wilderness. letters, in addition to red and white generally, the course is closed from
It’s doubtful I’ll ever be lost in the triangles that are internationally April through October. Hikers are
wilderness because I never venture recognized orienteering symbols. discouraged from going off-trail for
too far off the beaten path, and One of the many beauties of the
learning to use a compass or topographic map is that it contains
topographical map always remains a “contour lines,” which aid the hiker
daunting prospect. to visualize points of equal elevation
All that changed after attending and “contour intervals” that reveal
a basic orienteering class under the rise and fall in elevation. It contains
expert tutelage of Ranger Peggie other details explained in the class.
Gaul at Catoctin Mountain Park. One basic and important detail
Orienteering is often known as a of any map is the “legend,” the key
sport where competitors race through that identifies symbols and defines
a course from point to point, but them.
the instruction in basic orienteering Unlike competitive orienteering
offered at Catoctin Mountain Park is where the course must be followed
not about competition. in sequence, we were encouraged to
According to Ranger Gaul, it’s a choose any controls designated on
great leisure activity for individuals the orienteering course.
and families to enjoy a relaxing After the classroom instruction,
time in the Catoctin Mountain we budding orienteers were sent on
Park’s 5,770-acre woodlands and our merry way to utilize our newly
waterways. acquired compass and topographic
Ranger Gaul, a twenty-five-year map reading skills.
veteran of the National Park Service, The group dispersed as they
has had a lifelong interest in the chose their own destinations. While
outdoors. She explained clearly what changing from my sneakers to
I considered to be a complex subject. hiking boots, I noticed some folks
The class, held at the Visitors immediately strike out, then others
Center at the intersection of appeared to all have their heads
Park Central Road and Rt. 77 in together, apparently studying their
Thurmont, is roughly a 45-minute maps as if to decide which control
instruction period, during which to head for first.
participants are encouraged After donning my boots, my
to interact with the instructor first attempt at orienteering was
while learning the vagaries of hampered by my inability to focus.
topographical maps and symbiotic I was distracted by the beauty
relationship the map and compass of the surroundings, from the moss
have, along with information they on the rocks to a wee purple-leaved
provide the hiker. woodland plant just peeking out
from under the leaf litter, to the reasons that include protection of
by Chris O’Connor mixed hardwood trees towering growing flora and protecting hikers
overhead and the delightful noise of from ticks.
Trail maps can be obtained at the
the creek flowing under the bridge,
mountain talk crossing just feet away from the Visitor’s Center.
The orienteering class is offered
beginning of the trek.
Although the orienteering course
doesn’t follow trails, Catoctin at no charge throughout weekends
in March and again in November.
Orienteering at Mountain Park contains twenty- registration is necessary.
Class sizes are limited, so pre-
five miles of established trails for
Call the Visitor Center at 301-
Catoctin Mountain hikers. Hikers can obtain a trail 663-9388 to register or for further
map at the Visitors Center: folks
can choose loops for shorter hikes
information.
Park or other destinations like one of the Catoctin Mountain Park, access the
For general information regarding
many scenic overlooks with varying
degrees of difficulty. website at www.nps.gov/cato.
Printed on the reverse side of
the map I acquired at the Visitor’s
There comes a time in everyone’s “I actually appreciate questions,” Center is a guide chart with trail
life when they choose to change Ranger Gaul said, adding, “It gives names with their respective round-
course to reach their destination. But me feedback. I know if I’m getting trip mileage, estimated hiking time,
the question is which way to turn? the message across or not. If one the ascent in footage, location of
Orienteering is a means to help person doesn’t understand what I trailhead, a brief description of the
one find a way through forest and said, chances are there are other trail attributes, and ratings from
field, over mountains and across people in the room who don’t get it “easy” to “strenuous.”
deserts. Armed with the basic either.” Cold rain discouraged continuing
technique of using a compass and Each participant is supplied with on the orienteering course, but
topographical map, hikers can find a compass and topographic map. orienteers are welcome to hone
their destinations. The map shows the orienteering their skills while the course is open.
I’ve always wanted to learn course “controls,” 4x4 inch brown Inquire at the Visitor’s Center for
compass skills in the unlikely event painted posts that sport numbers or specific course closure dates, but
I ever became lost in the wilderness. letters, in addition to red and white generally, the course is closed from
It’s doubtful I’ll ever be lost in the triangles that are internationally April through October. Hikers are
wilderness because I never venture recognized orienteering symbols. discouraged from going off-trail for
too far off the beaten path, and One of the many beauties of the
learning to use a compass or topographic map is that it contains
topographical map always remains a “contour lines,” which aid the hiker
daunting prospect. to visualize points of equal elevation
All that changed after attending and “contour intervals” that reveal
a basic orienteering class under the rise and fall in elevation. It contains
expert tutelage of Ranger Peggie other details explained in the class.
Gaul at Catoctin Mountain Park. One basic and important detail
Orienteering is often known as a of any map is the “legend,” the key
sport where competitors race through that identifies symbols and defines
a course from point to point, but them.
the instruction in basic orienteering Unlike competitive orienteering
offered at Catoctin Mountain Park is where the course must be followed
not about competition. in sequence, we were encouraged to
According to Ranger Gaul, it’s a choose any controls designated on
great leisure activity for individuals the orienteering course.
and families to enjoy a relaxing After the classroom instruction,
time in the Catoctin Mountain we budding orienteers were sent on
Park’s 5,770-acre woodlands and our merry way to utilize our newly
waterways. acquired compass and topographic
Ranger Gaul, a twenty-five-year map reading skills.
veteran of the National Park Service, The group dispersed as they
has had a lifelong interest in the chose their own destinations. While
outdoors. She explained clearly what changing from my sneakers to
I considered to be a complex subject. hiking boots, I noticed some folks
The class, held at the Visitors immediately strike out, then others
Center at the intersection of appeared to all have their heads
Park Central Road and Rt. 77 in together, apparently studying their
Thurmont, is roughly a 45-minute maps as if to decide which control
instruction period, during which to head for first.
participants are encouraged After donning my boots, my
to interact with the instructor first attempt at orienteering was
while learning the vagaries of hampered by my inability to focus.
topographical maps and symbiotic I was distracted by the beauty
relationship the map and compass of the surroundings, from the moss
have, along with information they on the rocks to a wee purple-leaved
provide the hiker. woodland plant just peeking out
