Organizer: Paul Bottomley (Event Director)

This will be a Barebones style event, meaning the approach will be VERY casual in order to minimize the amount of volunteer capacity required, while still providing an enjoyable event for orienteers. So casual it'll probably run out of my car...

• NSOS points won’t be awarded.
• Timing sticks will not be needed.
• Traction aids for your shoes are recommended.
• Snowshoes might be a good idea.

Inspired by the Hobby Horse event later in the month, this event will be using the ‘old’ system of punch cards (we have lots, and lots I'm told) so you will find only a flag and coded punch at each control location. Timing will be by clock.

This event is intended for practice and fun in the woods, but there will be a firm course closure, 'cause we've got to get to the AGM at 1pm.

A Storm Notice will be posted here no later than 6pm on Friday, February 6th if required. If a storm delay is required, every effort will be made to hold the event Sunday, Feb 15th.

Registration:

Prior to participating in any event, all participants must have completed the one time Orienteering NS registration form and the Orienteering Canada waiver as part of registration process.

Membership and waiver are completed as part of the registration process at the site linked on this page.

Please ensure you register via the link on this page by midnight THURSDAY, Feb 05 to ensure a map is printed for you. On-site check-in will take place on site from 10:00 to 10:45 am.

Last minute registration: This can be done on site, but we typically only have a few extra maps; because we didn’t know you were coming. Also, pre-registration allows the on-site details to move more quickly.

The Schedule:

10:00 Registration Opens

10:15 Beginner Clinic (if required)

10:45 Safety Brief

11:00 (Mass Start)

12:30 Course Time Limit

Start will be from the registration car.

The Venue:

Hemlock Ravine Park is 200-acre habitat with opportunities for walking, nature observation, and relaxation; short off-leash area for dogs. The 4-km stacked loop trails offer many routes for jogging and observation of nature in all seasons. Yeah, all seasons. Expect hard packed trails and deep snow off trail. Yippee!!!

Hemlock Ravine Park | Tourism Nova Scotia, Canada

The Courses:

This will be a Score-O event with a Mass Start and Advanced, Intermediate and Beginner classes.

• Participants will be given their maps when they register. Any time between when you register and the start is available to review the map and plan strategy.
• Competitors enter the course with a Mass Start at 11:00am.
• For a Score O event a series of control points are scattered across a map. Each control point on the map will have a value ranging from 10 to 30 points. Point value varies with difficulty. Most points in the fastest time wins.
• All controls will be open to Advanced competitors. The Beginner and Intermediate maps will be limited only in that a smaller series of the same controls will be presented.
• There will be a time limit to complete the course.
• Distances given below are an estimate only and will vary due to the nature of the event.
• Beginner participants will typically follow marked and easy to follow trails to controls on or near trail for the easiest navigation and shortest distance to cover. Basic map following required. The beginner map will be limited in that controls further from trail or in more difficult terrain will be omitted. 2km.
• Intermediate participants, will exercise route choice along trails while also using map features and basic compass skills to, typically, find controls located on or just off trails with typically clear features nearby that ease navigation. 3km.
• Advanced participants will tackle the entire map on trail and off, following longer route choices through more difficult terrain, streams forests and all; good navigation skills required. 6km.
• Beginner instruction may be offered. Let us know via a message to the email address below if you are interested, and we will try to provide some form of instruction, if not a formal clinic. Please check-in at 10am if you require instruction.

Questions: (some may be answered below)

To Paul at nsorienteering@gmail.com

Directions:

Event is in Hemlock Ravine in Birch Cove NS just off the Halifax peninsula. Registration and Start Finish will be at the pinned location shown in the map below. There won't be the usual tent, but there'll probably be a flag and a car.

VOLUNTEERS would be appreciated for a few tasks associated with the event (e.g. Beginner clinic, registration, control pickup). Please see here to sign up.

Snacks:

A small post race treat will be available, but participants should bring their own water if needed.

Parking:

Parking will be at Grosvenor Wentworth School, or on the adjacent streets. Note Snow has made streets much smaller.

Washrooms:

There are no washroom facilities on site. Gas stations and coffee shops are nearby on Kearney Lake Road.

Weather:

We run rain, snow or shine. Local thunder will typically be accommodated by a short delay. That said any weather involving a Hurricane or Tropical Storm coming straight over will result in a reschedule. See snow date above.

Entry Fees:

The following are the fees for this event:

$10 per adult (19+) participating as an individual

$2 per youth (0-18) participating as an individual

*If you are registering four or more family/household members at the same time (including at least one adult), please use the discount code FAMILY_2026 at checkout to receive a discount.

How to Pay:

In advance (preferred):

• By credit card as part of the registration process
• Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to the following email: nsorienteering@gmail.com

If you choose EFT, complete the online registration process. At checkout, please enter the following coupon code: PAY_EFT_2026 so that you appear on our registration list.

In person:

• In cash; a payment container will be available. Please help us out by bringing correct change.

If you choose CASH, complete the online registration process. At checkout, please enter the following coupon code: PAY_CASH_2026 so that you appear on our registration list.

Note: all of the above is restated in the registration process.

Need Orienteering Kit before the event? Visit the O-Store!

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Location

Registration