Prince William Forest

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October 29
Sunday

PWF BridgeWelcome to QOC's classic orienteering event at picturesque Prince William Forest Park near Quantico, VA. This event will have a full set of eight courses (white through blue, plus, beige) courtesy of course setter Nadim Ahmed, who has also updated the map; course stats are below and detailed comments are now posted below.

Pre-registration is now open (link below). Advance online registration is required, since currently we are not allowed to collect fees in this park. Event timing will be our standard: check-in any time between 10:45 - 1:15, start between 11 - 1:30, and make sure to be out of the woods and back to the Finish by 3pm. Even if you don't finish your course, be sure to stop by the e-punch table and them know you are out of woods.

There is a park entrance fee of $7 per car (up to 14 passengers). The park also offers an annual pass for $30 (good for other QOC events at PWFP over the next year); those 62+ can buy a lifetime Senior Pass for $80 or an annual Senior Pass for $20 good at all National Parks. If there is a PWFP employee manning the booth as you enter the park, you will pay there and get a receipt to put on your dashboard; otherwise, you need to pay at the Visitor Center before going to park at the ball field.

A note about parking: Parking will be at the Williams Ball Field. The entrance is across from the Visitors Center and is on a one-way road. We'll have a volunteer there providing directions. When leaving the park, exit via the other (far) end of the field. Do not drive on the road back towards the Visitors Center.

New to orienteering? We will hold beginner clinics continuously during the event; just tell the friendly folks at registration if you'd like to be in one and they'll take care of you. Also, make sure to check out our Your First Event and For Beginners webpages, and if they don't answer any question you have, just use our Contact Us form and ask away!

Group Leaders: please see our For Group Leaders webpage and then contact the Event Director so your group can get pre-registered in advance.

Additional Information:

  • Contour interval for all maps is 5m. Map scales are 1:5000 for white, yellow, beige and brown, and 1:10000 for all other courses.
  • As mentioned above, parking for QOC participants will be in the (nearby) Williams Ballfield, a short walk from our registration area in the Pine Grove Pavilion.
  • Dogs are welcome in this park but must be kept on leash at all times.

We look forward to seeing you soon! Please feel free to contact the Event Directors (link below) if you have any questions.

Location

Prince William Forest Park, Pine Grove, Triangle, VA (Classic)
RegistrationPre-registration is now open and is required; head here when you are ready to choose your course and pay. There will be no walk-up (day of) registration at this event.
Start TimesYou may start your course at any time during the start window listed below for your event.
ScheduleSunday, October 29
11:00 am - 3:00 pmClassic:
Volunteers
Event Director:Mark Hicks
Event Director:Rae Ann Hicks
Course Designer:Nadim Ahmed
Location Details

Classic
Prince William Forest Park
Pine Grove
Triangle, VA
Google Map

Take I-95 to exit 150 (150B from points north). Head west on Joplin Road (VA-619) and take the second right for the park entrance. The Pine Grove pavilion is on the left just before the Visitor Center.
Google Maps Link
Apple/iPhone Link
Course DetailsClassic
Course NameLength (km)Climb (m)No. Controls
White 2.1409
Yellow 2.23510
Orange 517510
Beige 2.2809
Brown 3.51309
Green 5.92209
Red 832515
Blue 1037015
Course NotesClassic

  • Multiple map updates and corrections were applied.
    • One major adjustment was to bring it closer to the ISSOM 2017 standards. This affected
      • Spacing between the Magnetic North/South (now 300m apart) lines.
      • Symbol colors, such as for contours, were adjusted and are much easier to read.
      • Line widths for various symbols were adjusted; formlines are now less prominent.
    • Other major adjustments were made as the result of field checking. This is most prevalent around Pine Grove, but corridors used for many course legs were updated elsewhere too.
      • Vegetation features such as the low vegetation symbol were added.
      • New trails were added; dilapidated old trails were taken off or made to appear intermittent.
      • Several scattered open tree areas were added.
      • Various point features and a few ditches were added.
  • It is more than likely that more field checking will identify other useful updates for the map, but these will need to be done at another time.
  • There are many Brown, Orange, Beige, Yellow, and White controls in close proximity. Be careful to read control codes prior to punching.
  • As of 10/14/2017, the lack of rain has led to many water features being low or dry. Blue, Red, and Green courses cross South Fork Creek a few times and it is easier to find good crossing points. All of these courses have good route options to use bridges.
  • Competitors should stay away from campgrounds.
  • The Blue, Red and Green courses have a mandatory leg on a paved road that goes between a ranger home, and another park building. YOU MUST STAY ON THE ROAD in this section, which will be marked on your map.
Entry FeesIndividual Entries

Note: juniors = under 21

Club Member, adult Club Member, junior Non-Member, adult Non-Member, junior
Epunch Owner $5 $5 $10 $5
Epunch Borrower $10 $5 $15 $10

Team or Group Entries

Participants are welcome to compete together as a single team entry. Teams containing one or more nonmembers are charged the nonmember individual rate. Teams containing one or more adults are charged the adult individual rate. For teams to receive member or junior rates, all members of the team must be members or juniors, respectively. Each extra team map beyond the first is an additional $2. Individuals or teams desiring to compete on a second course can do so for a reduced fee of $2/map.

Important Notes
  • At the event, we can only accept payment in cash or check; online, you may use a credit card or PayPal account.
  • If you have access to a smartphone, you may become a member at the event by joining online via this webpage (which also explains the member benefits). Membership is completely optional. If you wish to join or renew, we strongly recommend joining (or renewing) online before the event rather than at it to save time and because it's easier.
  • Most of our events use an 'epunch' timing chip for electronic timing. Individuals or groups without their own epunch pay a higher entry fee (see above), which includes the loan of an epunch for that event. Loaned epunches that are lost incur a $40 replacement fee. Epunches (also known as SI-cards or finger sticks) are usually available for sale at each event as described here.
  • Former QOC members who have let their membership lapse pay non-member fees.
  • Compasses are available at no charge, but if lost incur a $15 replacement fee.
  • Please provide collateral (driver's license or car keys) when borrowing a compass or epunch.
  • For additional safety, whistles are available for sale at $1/each.
  • Free beginner instruction is always available - just ask at the registration table.