The Arctic Orienteering Club is excited to announce the second Arctic Orienteering Festival! Please Join us for 4 days of spectacular Alaska orienteering and experience the long summer days in a land of rugged beauty! We are pursuing having at least one of the events be a National Ranking Event. Results and photos from last year.
About
The Arctic Orienteering Club is the premier (well only) orienteering club in Alaska. Located in Anchorage Alaska, we host about 20 events per year, that often see upwards of 100 participants per event. Find out more about us on our website https://oalaska.org.
Our goals for the Alaska Orienteering Festival are
- Have as much fun as we did last year!
- Get experience hosting a National Ranking Event.
- Introduce orienteers from outside Alaska to our excellent orienteering venues.
General Info
Overview
Cost
Each weekend event will cost $40. and the mid-week events are $15 each. There is a package deal to get all events for only $75. Arctic Orienteering Club season pass holders, can save $10, on each weekend day. The weekend events are special events that are not covered by the Arctic Orienteering Club season pass. However, season pass holders are entitled to a $10/day discount ($30 for a single event, or $60 for both events).
As always, children under 18 will not be charged an entry fee.
Electronic punch finger stick rental will be $5/day.
Start Times
We will not be assigning start times before the events. You can start as soon as there is an opening on your course (maintaining a minimum 2 minute interval).
Punching
All courses will use the standard SportIdent punching system. We will not be offering contactless punching. SportIdent cards (finger sticks) will be available for rent at the venue.
Weather
The weather in Alaska can be fantastic for orienteering. Even when sunny, it is rarely too hot for running in steep alpine terrain. However, the weather can also be fickle and sometimes downright nasty. Despite the conditions at the start of your race, you should be prepared for the weather to turn cold, wet, and windy while you are on the course. Hypothermia is always a concern in the alpine country of Alaska, and you need to be prepared for it.
Water
We will provide a limited amount of water at the start/finish area. There will be no treated water out on the course. Due to the generally cooler, wetter conditions in Alaska, most orienteers here do not need water during a race; however, you need to judge your own needs and bring water if you may need it on the course. We also encourage everyone to bring their own water in case we run out.
Wildlife
The good news is that there is a lot of cool wildlife in Alaska, and the chance of seeing something while here is high. More good news is that we do not have any snakes and other venomous terrors like scorpions. However, we do have an abundance of large furry mammals. Moose and bear encounters are possible on all of our courses; however, these animals prefer to be left alone and will typically leave you alone. The alpine country provides good visibility, so you are unlikely to surprise anyone, and you and the animal can give each other a wide berth. In the wooded areas, it is good to make noise and carry bear spray. We will have bear and moose awareness literature available at the start/finish area. There is also plenty of good information available online, and you are encouraged to do your homework and come prepared.
The other significant “wildlife” we contend with in Alaska is the mosquito (aka the state bird). The nuisance factor can range from 0 to unbearable (“I got eaten alive every time I slowed down to read my map”). Fortunately, the location and the time of year should make for a low mosquito factor, but this can’t be guaranteed. We will have a limited amount of insect repellent (we call it “bug dope”) at the start/finish area, but we recommend that you bring your own and carry some with you. If you sweat a lot you may need to re-apply.
Hazardous Vegetation
Alaska has no poison ivy or poison oak, but we do have cow parsnip (aka hog weed), which can cause a rash when the toxin is activated by the sun after exposure to the skin. It is easy to spot and easy to avoid. It is harmless if a broken stem doesn’t contact bare skin.
While not hazardous, devil’s club is the other noteworthy plant to avoid as the stems and undersides of the large leafs are very prickly.
Both cow parsnip and devil’s club will be found at the Willow venue, but not at Hatcher Pass.
Overview Map
The weekend orienteering venues will be near Willow Alaska. The Wednesday events will be closer to Anchorage. These Google map markers show the venue locations.
Schedule
Events will take place on Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday, and again on Wednesday from June 25, 2025 to July 2, 2025. See the event program for details
Logistics
Useful information for visitors coming from out of state:
Getting Here
We recommend flying into the Anchorage International Airport and renting a car. The distance from the airport and the weekend venue is about 85 miles. The wednesday venues will be in or near Anchorage. It’s best to book early as hotel and rental car availability can be limited in the summer months.
Where to Stay
Before and after the weekend event, there are numerous lodging options in Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley to choose from, but book early as the summer months can be very popular.
On Saturday night there may be informal group camping near Hatcher Pass. Details will be available on the website or via email after event registration.
The state allows primitive camping on state land (most of eastern Willow Creek Road).
Willow Creek State Recreation Area – Camping
Gold Mint Trailhead and Parking – 10 campsites
Event Program
Details are subject to change.
Wednesday, June 25th
Forest Sprint at Earthquake Park
Earthquake park (Google maps) is small urban park unlike no other. It was created when the ground in the area was crumpled in the 1964 earthquake. Creating over 100 small ponds and very detailed terrain (see the course maps from a recent club event). You may also be interested in the results (including LiveLox) from a recent sprint event.
Saturday, June 28th
See this writeup for results and photos and from last years event. We are updating the map at this venue, and seeking NRE status for this race.
Long Classics at Willow Creek
Mixed deciduous and spruce forests with clearings and areas of limited brush. Combined with intricate terrain and very few trails this new venue should make for some fabulous orienteering. The courses will be on the challenging side with very few catching features. Staying in contact with the map will be critical as “finding yourself” will be difficult in areas with many similar features.
Location: The start/finish is to be determined, but will likely be similar to last year which was approximately mile 2.3 of N. Willer Kash Road (https://maps.app.goo.gl/bVaegoHcHcWH2dnZA). From Anchorage, take the Glenn Highway (1) north to the Parks Highway (3). Proceed north on the Parks Highway to mile marker 71. Turn right onto Willow Fishhook Road heading towards Hatcher Pass. After 5.5 miles, turn left onto N Shirley Towne Dr. After crossing Willow Creek (0.4m), turn right onto N. Jim Carter Road (gravel). After 0.4m, turn right onto N. Willer Kash Road (dirt) and proceed 2.3 miles to the start area. Willer Kash is in decent condition, but it can be rutted and muddy depending on the weather. Car pooling in a suitable vehicle is encouraged.
Schedule: Starts will be every two minutes from Noon until 2pm. Start times will not be pre-assigned, you should be able to start shortly after you check-in/register. You must be done by 5pm.
Cell Coverage: Anticipate limited or no cell coverage. However, when setting courses, there was one bar of Verizon at the start/finish area and over at least parts of the courses.
Parking: Park along the side of N. Willer Kash Road, before or after the start finish area. There is a large parking area at the intersection of N. Jim Carter Road and N. Willer Kash Road that can be used as a shuttle location if needed.
Courses:
| Course | Length (km) | Climb (m) | Controls | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | TBD | TBD | TBD | 1;10,000 |
| Red | TBD | TBD | TBD | 1;10,000 |
| Green | TBD | TBD | TBD | 1;10,000 |
| Brown | TBD | TBD | TBD | 1;10,000 |
| Orange | TBD | TBD | TBD | 1;10,000 |
| Yellow | TBD | TBD | TBD | 1;7,500 |
| White | TBD | TBD | TBD | 1;7,500 |
Course Setter Notes:
TBD, but probably similar to last year
People:
- Meet Director: Regan Sarwas
- Course Setter: Bill Spencer
- Registrar: Anne Billman
- Vetters: Mike Robinson
- Volunteers: Always Welcome!
Water: There is no water at the venue, please bring your own.
Developed Toilet Facilities: None. There is a porta-potty at the Willow Creek bridge (2.8 miles away)
What to do after: Enjoy some refreshments and orienteering chitchat at the finish area, then consider group camping in the area to rest and refuel before tomorrow’s Mountain-O.
Sunday, June 29th
Mountain-O at Craggie Creek (Hatcher Pass)
See this writeup for results and photos and from last years event.
An extra-long classic event in an open alpine venue with lots of contour lines. This event will provide an extra physical challenge that will be rewarded by spectacular views of the Talkeetna Mountains and the Susitna River and Willow Creek drainage.
Location: The start/finish is TBD, but likely will be at the small parking area at the intersection of Willow-Fishhook Road and Craigie Creek Road (https://maps.app.goo.gl/Gte1B1zf8Cdzb1XC7). It is about 25 miles east of the Parks highway on the Willow Fishhook Road (see directions for Saturday’s event). If you are coming from the group camp site, just follow the crowd. If you are coming from Anchorage for just this event, it will be faster to come over the pass from the east (see Google link above for directions).
Schedule: Starts from 10am to 11am.
Cell Coverage: None.
Parking: There is parking at the start/finish area. Look for the orienteering flags/signs.
Courses: The following details are subject to change, as the courses are developed.
| Course | Length (km) | Climb (m) | Controls | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long | 12+ | Lots and Lots | TBD | 1;10,000 |
| Short | 8-10km | Lots | TBD | 1;10,000 |
People:
- Meet Director: Ian Moore, Jen Jolliff, Springer Moore
- Course Setter: Ian Moore, Jen Jolliff, Springer Moore
- Vetters: Ian Moore, Jen Jolliff, Springer Moore
- Volunteers: Always Welcome!
Water: There is no water at the venue, please bring your own.
Developed Toilet Facilities: None
Wednesday, July 2nd
Long Classic at Mirror Lake
The venue at Mirror Lake (Google maps) has a great mix of interesting terrain and some of our more runnable vegetation. See the course maps from a recent club event. You may also be interested in the results (including LiveLox) from a recent event.
Registration
Preregistration with EventReg is encouraged, but on site registration will also be available. When registering with EventReg, the E-Punch Number is the number on your ePunch finger stick. If you do not have an finger stick, you will need to select the rental option during registration.
Preregistration guarantees that we will have a map available for the courses you select. We will only have a limited number of extra maps for those that choose to register on site. You can use event reg to change your course selection up until 2 days before the event.
Attention Arctic Orienteering Club:
- EventReg, considers your club affiliation to be “ARCTIC” not “AOC”.
- The weekend events are special and not covered by the season pass, however season pass holders are entitled to a $10/day discount. Enter the coupon code “arctic1” to get the discount if you only plan to attend a single weekend event. If you plan to attend both, select the package deal and use the code “arctic2“.
- If you use EventReg you will need to complete another online waiver in the registration process.
See who is coming.
Merchandise
T-shirts are being considered.
Results
Cell service at the weekend venues is spotty and live results will likely not be available. We will upload results to the following sites as soon as possible:
Wednesday, June 25
- Writeup on Arctic Orienteering website
- SportIdent
- Live Lox
- Attackpoint
Saturday, June 28
- Writeup on Arctic Orienteering website
- SportIdent
- Live Lox
- Attackpoint
Sunday, June 29
- Writeup on Arctic Orienteering website
- SportIdent
- Live Lox
- Attackpoint