Discussion: Registration Open for 2008 Western States + Intercollegiate Champs

All that snow getting you down? Make your plans now for winter orienteering in sunny Tucson!

Register online.

Website

Motivating photo:

Allright!! Motivation...

Is it working? I'm holding back on the photos of spiny cacti.

I've met the spiny cactus of Tuscon...(at midnight, behind a partner who didn't call out when he brushed past it). Nice terrain though, nevertheless.

a partner who didn't call out when he brushed past it

That would be me. Didn't realize what it was until Jim screamed as the spines slid under his toenail...

Well, I don't anticipate too much of that nonsense at this meet. For one thing, cactus is pretty rare at this site. For another, it won't be dark.

Just a reminder to register for the meet before prices go up on February 3rd. Register online and plan yourself a mini-vacation in the sunny southwest.

And don't forget the training opportunities on Thursday and Friday.

Any course info yet?

Hopefully on the way...

A report from the meet site: the grass is still standing tall but all the seeds have dropped, making for some very pleasant running.

Where will I find more info about the training?

For more training info see the discussion thread Heads up - US Team training in February

Course stats for Day 1 and sprint:

km m c
Blue 10.5 300 18
Red 7.8 250 14
Green 5.6 150 11
Brown 4.2 110 9
Orange 4.7 110 11
Yellow 2.9 110 7
White 2.5 60 7

Sprint 3.3 90 13

Could anyone...Christina?... in Tucson comment more about the camping at meet site?
Water/showers available, if not, nearest town/motel/restaurant/DD etc. Thanks

Sprint 3.3 90 13

Whoa--that's a burly sprint! I can't wait... =)

Eric, this is Tucson. The sprint is really just HTFU training.

As far as camping at the meet site - no facilities or water at all. There will be a fire and at least one keg of beer provided by Mark Parsons, and stove fuel provided by Max. What more could you need? ;-)

The closest town is Sonoita, a few miles further south on Highway 83. Check out http://sonoitaaz.com for food and lodging options. The closest developed campgrounds are far up in Tucson or perhaps over in Sierra Vista to the east.

There may be a shortage of water in the desert, but the beer flows freely!!! Ya'll come now!

I see 142 registered as of 02-02-08. Just curious about available parking in the area.

I'm not familiar with the US course system - what courses are M35, M40 and M45 on?
Thanks.

M35, M40, and M45 are all on the red course. The competition is generally easier in M35 than the other two.

Thanks. Based on registration to date, M45 is certainly a lot deeper. I may switch from M21 to M45.

US Course system can be viewed on the US standard registration form here:
www.us.orienteering.org/Forms/standard.pdf

Today (Feb 3) is the last day to register before the price bump of $5 per event!

163 registered as of 02-04-08

Regarding parking: there is a decent amount of space for parking, but it is going to be tight. If you're not camping at the meet site (or, I suppose, even if you are...) we highly recommend car pooling from downtown.

a few more thousand and we'll have the Woodstock of orienteering

I notice that West Point does not seem to have registrations in. I hope they're coming! Anybody know?

Online registration is now closed. You can still register at the meet ($5 extra per course).

Start times, course notes, enhanced schedule and directions, and t-shirt design have all been posted to the website:

http://www.tucsonorienteering.org/ameet

It is forecasted to snow tonight at the meet site. This is no reason to panic, as afternoon temperatures should be back in the 70's by the weekend. (Just trying to psyche everyone up for the Southwestern desert vacations!)

It snowed a couple of years ago as well, which was actually kinda fun, except we had no map bags (although they may have been offered) and Trish's map ended up disintegrating halfway through what would have been her first green course ever. The snow started melting away almost immediately though. I guess it wouldn't hurt to bring some extra clothes if you're camping out just in case.

Since now you're all committed...


Looking forward to a great meet.

We can promise sealed maps this time! ;-)

On a serious note, if you are camping definitely do prepare for the possibility of *overnight* temps around freezing. It could be shorts weather - 70, sunny, and warm - in the afternoon and drop to 35 overnight.