Special Event 6pm Thursday, March 27th at Earthquake Park
Thursday is the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Alaska earthquake, the second largest ever recorded in the world. In west Anchorage a major earth slump during the earthquake created what is now known as Earthquake Park. Last summer the orienteering club created a brand new map of the park, and it seems fitting that its inaugural use should be on this significant anniversary.
If someone were to design an orienteering playground, this is it. This small map covers an incredible maze of small hills and ridges and more than three hundred tiny lakes. The vegetation is predominantly open runnable forest and in the summer there is a network on informal trails.
When we checked on Sunday, there was snow covering most of the ground, but it was consolidated and we could run on it in shoes without sinking in very far. Snowshoes would be an option, but not necessary unless something changes significantly before Thursday. All the lakes are frozen and the trails may or may not be the same as in the summer, so navigation will be really different from the next time we use the area.
The event will be a score-o format, with a mass start at 6:00 PM and a one hour maximum time limit. Although I usually have a strong preference for traditional format events, I think that with the current conditions and daylight the score-o format is going the be the best option, and it will also provide some opportunity for socializing before and after the event. BYOB.
We look forward to seeing you there.