What is the best way to handle a map and compass when ski poles are already in hand?
I am not sure this is the answer you are looking for, but o'skiers use some kind of map holder on their chest and a clip-on compass (or a wrist compass if you can find one)
Have a look here:
http://miry.mtbo.cz/index.php?lang=en&view=produkt...
Wow, harnessing yourself to a map with those devices brings new meaning to the phrase "staying in contact with the map". Looks like it would keep the hands free for polling.
If you're not quite ready to invest in a map holder, some beginner ski-Oers use a plastic bag safety-pinned to their shirt (at the top, so you can flip it up to examine the next leg). I'm not sure what's the best thing to do with the compass in this case, though (as I've only ski-Oed once or twice, and prefer the foot version :-) ).
As an absolute beginner on skis (not even ski-o), I will probably go with the second, much cheaper solution. As for the compass, perhaps just pushing one inside the bag is sufficient.
I like the bag idea. Brilliant.
A wrist compass works well. You don't need nearly the precision or stability of an O-compass for ski-O because typically you're just reading trails. On sunny days, I've completed entire courses without looking at the compass, since my shadow is a good enough north indicator. In the rare event that you need an accurate bearing, stopping for a few seconds to let it settle won't make much difference.
Agreed on the "almost don't need a compass" aspect. The trick is not as much threading your way through the forest as it is catching the right trail junctions and planning the course well.
The course setters know you've got ski's attached and ensure there is a way to get to the controls by trail. Do you take the tight trail with a downhill, or the easy and wide trail around and a little longer?
Now - you can decide to bushwhack through the woods. You can also decide to remove your skis and run, carrying them. (I did both of these things to good time effect last year;-)
A ski-O map holder also spins the map (if you couldn't tell from the static picture) and that is useful, though the bag with pins is certainly adequate. Having used both last year, I'd say the map holder is worth 2-4 minutes on a course depending on how much time you spend looking at the map. If you have a holder, the compass is attached to it.
Have fun!
map holder will help way more if there is a complicated network ski-trails and of course the length of the course. for big events in Europe almost everyone owns one. its very useful.
The event that I am preparing for is not really ski-o. Skis will be allowed, but so will snow shoes, and just boot running. We have about 9 inches of snow on the ground here and I was thinking that I would just run in boots with ski poles for stability, and to pamper my ITBS. The orienteering will be intricate, with most controls off trail. I suspect that I will use the map often.
I went out to the woods today to casually train with the map pinned to my shirt. I had a difficult time staying in contact with the map. I had to stop to read it because my chest was bobbing as I walked. And I am so used to spinning the map in my hands that I had a hard time adjusting to a map that was always oriented the same way. I got better as I went, but never grew really confident with the technique. That those fancy map holders spin must be a really nice feature.
I switched to holding the map in my hand along with a pole and that worked fine as long as I didn't push very hard. Whenever I poled vigorously the map fluttered into the snow.
I think I will try some kind of neck lanyard next. The map will be at the chest, ready to handle and spin as needed.
On my first ski-o, I put the map on a string around my neck. When I took off, the first thing the map did was flip up on my face so I couldn't see. I then let it flutter behind me, but it twirled causing the string to slowly tighten on my neck. It didn't cut off my air supply, but it caused the two corners of the map to pinch together up under my chin making it very difficult to even see the map. I might have had to quit early, but I saw my wife half way through the course, and she de-garroted me.
Maybe just put a bunch of velcro on the front of your jersey and your map bag. Then you can stick the map to yourself and reorient it as necessary.
Here is what I suggest (that's based on an old Silva map holder - pre rigid map holders).
It will allow you to still pivot the map AND avoid getting choked to death on a windy day ;-)
Mount a ziploc bag onto a piece of cardboard using one of those pins that have 2 flaps that you can open up (we used that in school when we made paper clocks so you could spin the arms). Place that pin through the middle of the bag (side that's against the cardboard) and through cardboard piece - that will allow you to put the map into the bag and then pivot it when needed. Then add a piece of string to that cardboard to hang it around your neck, and then at the bottom, a piece of elastic found in fabric stores, that will go around your waist/back, so you can still flip it up to look at it, but it won't go flying around and obstruct your vision or choke you to death.
Have fun!
If you're navigating off trail, orienting and thumbing the map will be worth a lot more than any advantage from ski poles. I'd just carry it in your hand normally and put up with the fact that you won't be able to push to hard on the pole.
Having used a map holder extensively for ski-o, I'm not sure I'd suggest it while on foot.
If the holder is up in the postion where you can see the map, you can't see from your feet out to the tips of your skis, or beyond. I can tolerate that while skiing - I'm comfortable enough that I can absorb whatever irregularities there might be on ski trails that I don't notice coming up.
Also snagging the map holder on branches,etc, is seldom an issue on most ski-o trail networks.
If you're on foot though, and running or walking off trail, I'd think you'd be more likely to encounter branches to snag on. You'd also want to have better visibility just in front of your feet. You can swing most mapholders down, but it's then going to be hitting on your upper thighs. My leg lift is much higher while running/walking (especially off-trail) than while skiing, either classic or skating, so that's less of a problem.
All that being said, if you are set on carrying ski poles, I'd recommend a simple home-made solution like Barbie describes.
Why bother with poles. If you only have 9" of snow, just run like normal. We've had several late season events that occurred after 10-12" of snow and everyone goes out as normal, albeit a bit slower and harder work. During the winter, my wife and I often run trails in snow. It's actually a lot easier as the snow mellows out the rocky stuff and softens the footing. We have about 15" with a possible crust layer now. That's a different story and would be much better on skis. Sounds like fun.
This discussion thread is closed.