A Walk (or Race) in the Woods
Today was the third annual running of Raccongaine, an orienteering competition at Raccoon Creek State Park, presented by Western Pennsylvania Orienteering Club based in Indiana, Pennsylvania.
This is not an easy course, to put it mildly. Raccoon Creek has one of the roughest terrains of any of the local state parks, with lots of ravines and dense vegetation. Plus, depending on whether a team or individual chose to run either the 3 or 6 hour course, one could easily log ten to twenty-five miles during the day.
While it was a great day to be navigating in the woods, what made it especially fun was the diverse group of people who registered. While some participants were hardcore adventure racers and ultra runners, most were just everyday people with varying degrees of navigating experience – many just enjoying nature with their children.
If you want to practice your navigating skills, please consider looking at the WPOC event schedule (www.WPOC.org). Their events are inexpensive and geared towards participants of all levels and ages.
