Rogaining Tips & Tricks(or “How not to get lost in the SA bush”)

Mark PorterSA Rogaining Association

• There are “controls” scattered across the course area.• You get a map with the location of the controls marked.• Each control has a point value assigned to it.• You get the points by visiting the control.• You have a set time (eg 6/12/24 hours) to get as many

points as you can.

Rogaining in a nutshell

What does a map look like?

Planning Execution Adaptation Dinner!

Stages of the event

Maps at 3hrs before start Where will you go? Estimate your speed:

◦ Novice of average fitness, allowing for navigation time..... 2 to 3km/hr

◦ Experienced, super fit rogainer..... 7km/hr! Use a string or ruler to help measure distance Find a loop that maximises your points for

that distance. Lodge your Flight Plan – a safety measure.

Planning

Choose a route with options – make decision points

Avoid controls/areas that don’t suit you◦ Hard navigation◦ Big hills

Plan to visit water drops Make your route home easy To optimise, look at points per kilometre

(advanced)

Planning - Tips

Practice

Extreme Planning!

Physical◦ It’s easier than you think!◦ Go at your own pace◦ Remember to eat and drink◦ Take the path of least resistance (tracks vs bush)

Execution

Example: It’s easier to walk in the clearing than bash through the pines.

Teamwork◦ As fast as your slowest person◦ Check each other’s navigation◦ Be each other’s sanity check

Navigation

Execution

Ways to navigate:◦ Contours◦ Compass & pace counting◦ Features (tracks, point to point)◦ Follow the others!

Navigation

A very reliable navigation method(Mountains don’t move very often!)

Simple Tips1. Circles at top of hills2. Water flows downhill

Contours

IMPORTANT

Close contours = steep hill!!

2 2 = E 4 4 = C 5 5 = F 1 1 = B 3 & 6 3 = D 6 = A

Can you match them?

Compass bearings can point you straight to the control.

Tip for novice compass users◦ Just use it to orient your map◦ Use magnetic north, not grid north

Navigation – the Compass

Used to estimate how far you’ve gone How? Count your paces! Tips:

◦ Before the event, work out your stride length◦ Have 2 people pace counting◦ Use a counting aid, eg move stones from one hand

to the other every 50 paces.

Pace Counting

Roads, tracks, vegetation, creeks, windmills, fences, gates, high points

Go from one feature to the next – like reading a street directory

Tip: Think about what might not be accurate on the map◦ Tracks change◦ Creeks in SA generally have no water◦ Vegetation gets cut down!

Navigation – Using the features

Catching features – things that can catch you if you are lost. Eg if there is a north/south road down the map, head

east or west until you hit it.

Look around you! – work out what point on the map matches the things you see.

Navigation – Important Tips

Control is at the centre of the circle Look at the clue on the map. Eg The Gully

Navigation – Finding it

Re-evaluate your course during event Use your decision points Consider you pace so far and pace until end

◦ How fast have you gone◦ How fast do you need to go from here◦ Speed = Distance / Time◦ Big penalties for being late

Trim or extend your route to suit

Adaption

Energy food (your excuse to pig out!)◦ Carbs◦ Mix of sweet & savoury◦ Decent breakfast◦ More food than you eat normally in 6 hours

About 2 litres water per person

Food - Tips

Navigation tutorials available near the Admin tent before the event.

Don’t be afraid to ask people for help – rogainers are a friendly bunch!

Help on the Day

Come and try an event!