Orienteering Raleigh NC

Backwoods Orienteering Klub, founded November 15, 1978 sponsors events and teaches orienteering in the North Carolina piedmont, around Raleigh, NC.

We invite you to try orienteering with us. Everyone is welcome at all our events. We always offer beginning, intermediate, advanced and expert courses (routes through the woods) at every Regular event.

Newcomer Information

 

 

 

Latest News

September 25th, 2023

Umstead Open Results 24 Sept

For the start of a new orienteering season we had a great turnout, with both new people coming out and a number of people we hadn’t seen during the summer. The total unique starters was 85, but many of the NJROTC orienteers on the beginner course decided it was fun enough to try out a […]

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September 23rd, 2023

Expert Meet Umstead West Oct 1st, 2023

On Sunday October 1st, BOK is hosting an Expert orienteering event at Umstead Park West. The entrance is on Old Reedy Creek Rd. This event is open to participants with some experience. When you have mastered orange and are ready for a bigger challenge, you can try the expert courses. A description of what level of difficulty to expect can be found on our newcomer’s page.

Sign up for this event on BOK registration page before the deadline at 5:00pm on Friday, September 29th. It’s also that time of year to renew your annual pass if you have not already. Passes are good from the start of September to the end of the following August.

Start window: 10:30am – 1:00pm.

The courses will close at 2:30pm.

The available courses are:

Brown (3.5km)
Green (5.4km)
Red (6.7km)

Location: 2337-2307 Old Reedy Creek Rd, Cary, NC 27513
GPS: 35.844772, -78.777725
Park on the shoulder on the east side of the road. Do not park at the gate or in front of the house at the gate on Old Reedy Creek Rd. This is a private residence.

There are no bathrooms or water at this location. The nearest bathroom is by the Old Reedy Creek Road Trailhead, 0.5 miles away.

Help with control pickup is greatly appreciated.

Welcome!
Lina

September 21st, 2023

Radio Orienteering Classes

Learn Radio Orienteering (aka, ARDF) as the pros learned it. Nadia Scharlau got her start in radio-O at age 13 and went on to become a world champion. Later, she taught classes to beginners who became world champions themselves. She still uses the same no-frustration step-by-step approach by which she learned the sport 40+ years ago. Now you can learn that way, too.

These classes are for those new to the sport and would like to learn how it is played. Emphasis will be placed on learning to use a radio receiver. Those who have attended previous beginner class sessions and would like a refresher course are also welcome.

Classes are free, but you need to register in our store. Class size is limited to 12 participants.

Details

  • Event Type: Radio Orienteering Beginner Training
  • Date: Two consecutive Saturdays – October 7 and 15
  • Location: 2337-2307 Old Reedy Creek Rd, Cary, NC 27513
    GPS: 35.844772, -78.777725
    Park on the shoulder on the east side of the road. Do not park at the gate or in front of the house at the gate on Old Reedy Creek Rd.
  • Start Time: Everyone should arrive by noon
  • Class Ends: 2:00 PM
  • Instructor: Nadia Scharlau, KO4ADV

All necessary equipment will be provided at no charge. New concepts will be introduced in sequence at each session, but if you can’t attend both sessions, just come when you can. Previously covered concepts will be reviewed at each session so that you can jump right in.

First Timers: A short beginner course will be set with constantly-operating transmitters.

Second Timers: A slightly longer beginner course will be set with “cycling” transmitters.

We will be hiking the courses together as a group, so please arrive by noon to avoid getting left behind!

Those who complete both class sessions may want to try their first solo run at the event scheduled for October 21 at Gray Owl near Asheboro, NC!

September 18th, 2023

Results — White Pines (Sept 2023)

The landowners vetoed our original plan to have a nighttime event at White Pines, so instead we had a daytime one-person relay.  People could choose to do one, two, or three loops around the Preserve, and those who signed-up for multiple loops had a map exchange them.  Most competitors were able to finish their course […]

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September 15th, 2023

Open Orienteering at Umstead South, September 24, 2023

Registration is now closed.

On Sunday, September 24th, BOK is hosting an Open orienteering event at Umstead
Park at the Reedy Creek Entrance on Harrison Avenue. Follow the trail from the
parking lot down the hill northwest of the parking lot to the big shelter,
(35.838111, -78.760729).

This event is open to all skill levels and there will be a beginner class at 11:30am. Beginners should arrive a little early if they are taking the class so they can have all their equipment and maps prepared. General start times will be between 10:30am and 1:00pm.

Registration is now closed. Sign up for this event before the deadline at 5:00pm on Friday, September 22nd. It’s also that time of year to renew your annual pass, if you have not already. Passes are good from the start of September to the end of the following August.

Beginners may also prepare themselves by watching the videos on our Newcomer Information Page.

The courses will close at 2:30pm. Be sure to check in at the shelter after your course so we know everyone made it back.

The available courses are:

White (beginner, 1.6km)
Yellow (2.6km)
Orange (3.6km)
Brown (3.6km)
Green (5.5km)
Red (7.3km)