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! One of these events is 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
The first event is on Wednesday evening (June 25, 2025) in Anchorage. It’s a forest sprint through a natural orienteering playground of convoluted topography created by the 1964 earthquake. Short and long course versions of this butterfly-style race will be run on multiple loops intersecting at a central control point. Think great spectating and exciting competitor interaction!
The Saturday (June 28, 2025) event at Willow features open forest visibility, unique pockets of labyrinthine meadow and thicket navigation, and very interesting terrain with few linear features. This venue is sure to challenge your orienteering skills. This is a National Ranking Event (NRE) sanctioned by OUSA.
The Sunday (June 29, 2025) event will be a long/extra long classic in a spectacular alpine venue. Use your medium to advanced navigation skills as you traverse the delightful lowland tundra and ascend into hanging valleys with incredible wilderness views. This is what Alaska orienteering is all about!
Depending on the weather, some of the locals may be camping near the alpine venue. If you would like more information, please email the registrar or ask the staff at the Willow event.
The final event will be on the following Wednesday evening (July 2, 2025) at Mirror Lake. This classic forest event with White to Red courses features mostly open birch and spruce forest with lots of low ferns for ground cover.
Venue Map
These Google map markers may also be helpful in getting to the venues.
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 SportIdent punching system. We will be operating in beacon mode, so contactless punching will be supported, as well as standard punching. Standard (non-contactless) SportIdent cards (finger sticks) will be available for rent on the registration site, and 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. You are more likely to encounter these plants at the Willow and Mirror Lake Venues.
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
There are numerous lodging options in Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley (Palmer/Wasilla) to choose from, but book early as the summer months can be very popular. The state allows primitive camping on state land (most of eastern Willow Creek Road).
On Saturday evening after the Willow Creek event there will be informal group camping on the Willow Creek Road on the way to Sunday’s Craigie Creek Venue. We will bring a grill and the club will provide hot dogs and hamburgers. If you plan on camping, consider bringing a side dish to share or other items to grill. You are welcome to join us for part of the evening even if you do not plan on camping. More details (like the exact location) will be available at the Willow Creek event.
UPDATE: We have a nice location for the cookout and camping. It is by the creek with plenty of parking and flat tent sites. It is 13,5 miles past Shirley Towne Dr on. the right hand side of Willow Creek Road (61.76450° N, 149.56195° W).
Other developed campgrounds in the area are:
- Willow Creek State Recreation Area – Camping
- South Rolly Lake Campground
- Hatcher Pass Lodge
- 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.
The main event is a mass start at 6pm with the option of either a short or long course. Bring your electronic punch and show up at 5:30pm to register.
There will also be a 1.2km White Course with 11 controls that has one loop and is suitable for beginners. White course can start anytime 5pm – 6:30pm.
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Example of Loops on a Course 2.6km Short Course with 16 controls that has three loops ABC. Everyone will visit every loop but maybe in a different order. Some people will get a map with ABC loops, others with BCA loops, etc. There are six variations of this map that will be spread out randomly among the participants. Participants will all start at the same time and immediately split off into loops. Be sure to punch the clear control sometime before the start time. The maps are clearly labeled control 1, 2, … all the way through 13 and then back to the finish control. One control is visited multiple times between loops.
- 4.1km Long Course with 25 controls that has four loops ABCD. Everyone will visit every loop but maybe in a different order. Some people will get a map with ABCD loops, others with ABDC loops, etc. There are up to twenty four variations of this map that will be spread out randomly among the participants. Participants will all start at the same time and immediately split off into loops. Be sure to punch the clear control sometime before the start time. The maps are clearly labeled control 1, 2, … all the way through 25 and then back to the finish control. One controls are visited multiple times between loops.
After the event, join fellow orienteers at the nearby Rustic Goat to compare routes and enjoy a tasty snack/beverage.
Saturday, June 28th
Classics at Willow Creek
See this writeup for results and photos and from last years event. We are updating the map at this venue, and it will be a National Ranking Event (NRE) sanctioned by OUSA.
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 | 9.9 km | 250 | 20 | 1;10,000 |
| Red | 7.1 km | 210 | 19 | 1;10,000 |
| Green | 5.7 km | 165 | 16 | 1;10,000 |
| Brown | 4.8 km | 160 | 14 | 1;7,500 |
| Orange | 4.4 km | 130 | 15 | 1;7,500 |
| Yellow | 3.4 km | 110 | 13 | 1;7,500 |
| White | 2.4 km | 45 | 9 | 1;7,500 |
Course Setter Notes:
The Arctic Orienteering Club is using this state-owned hunting and recreation area for the second year. The base mapping of the area utilized detailed aerial imagery and LiDAR mapping of the area collected by the Matanuska Susitna Borough approximately 10 years ago. Last year competitors found fun intricate terrain, but times were slowed by navigation errors and difficulty relocating if contact with the mapping was broken.
The Terrain: The topography in the area is glacial kame deposits left by the retreating Susitna ice sheet after the last ice age. These Kame deposits have been cut through by rivers and streams on the west, east, and south, leaving a raised ridge area with devilishly complex topography, small knolls, numerous depressions and small marshes. For the most part the running is dry, unless it has been raining in which case you are going to soak up water from the vegetation.
Management: The area is managed for game animal habitat with black bears and moose being the primary inhabitants. The area sees heavy use by bear hunters in the spring, often over bait, and moose hunting in the fall. Many of the smaller ATV trails are the result of this use. There are numerous raised hunting stands and several bear baiting stations, one recently active station is marked as off limits on the maps. A typical bear baiting station consists of a 55-gallon drum with a hole in one end stuffed with various smelly food items to attract bruins. An adjacent tree stand provides concealment for the hunters. The courses are designed to avoid them. Stay clear of these and leave the area if you stumble onto one of them by accident.
Vegetation: Vegetation is a mix of open birch forest with areas of thicker stands of Birch, Black Spruce, Devils Club and Menziesia, patches. Much of the vegetation mapping comes from detailed LiDAR analysis backed by an ongoing but not complete field effort. We acknowledge that you may find it imperfect but have attempted to route the courses through the easier runnable areas. Devils Club is of course to be avoided for its thorns and rare allergic reactions in some individuals. You should be able to walk or run through the less dense patches but may find areas that require more gingerly navigation.
The courses: White through Blue courses range from 2.5 to 10 kilometers. A flagged route will mark the access from the registration area to a remote start for all courses. The first leg on White and Yellow is also flagged to help get these competitors away to an adjacent trail system. Map scales are 1:7,500 for White through Brown and 1:10,000 for Green through Blue. The Blue course maps are printed on both sides and must be flipped over to continue the course.
Wildlife: Moose and bears frequent these areas, and you should know how to react safely during wildlife encounters, many competitors carry bear deterrent spray as a safeguard.
Safety: The safety bearing for all but 2 controls on Blue is west back to the main logging road that runs by the registration area. Running off the map to the east and south you will encounter steep hill slopes of 100 vertical feet or more descending to open marsh and/or streams. If you loose contact with the north end of the mapping on orange – red courses, you can bail west to the logging road and walk back south to the registration area. If you need to bail from Blue, you will need to either head east or west to the logging road. Hopefully you will remember which side of the main road you are on.
People:
- Meet Director: Regan Sarwas
- Course Setter: Bill Spencer
- Registrar: Anne Billman
- Vetters: Mike Robinson
- Volunteers: Always Welcome!
Water: We will provide a limited amount of water at the start/finish area, but there will be no water on the course, 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 Craigie 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). NOTE: as of June 20th report, while the Hatcher Pass road to Independence Mine is open, the summit of the pass is still closed so not a good route to Craigie Creek.
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 | 12.6 | Lots and Lots | 25 | 1;10,000 |
| Medium | 8.4 | Lots and a little more | 17 | 1;10,000 |
| Short | 4.9 | Lots | 11 | 1;10,000 |
We have rebranded the short course as a medium, and added a new shorter course. We should have enough maps for anyone who wants to do the short course instead of the medium. Just ask at the check-in table on Sunday morning.
- 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
What to do after: Consider driving over scenic Hatcher Pass and through Palmer on the drive back to Anchorage and join fellow orienteers at Bleeding Heart Brewery or 203 Kombucha.
After the event, detour through Palmer on the drive back to Anchorage and join fellow orienteers at the Bleeding Heart Brewery or 203 Kombucha for a drink and bite to eat.
Wednesday, July 2nd
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. Local orienteers on the Red course will get to visit some seldom used terrain. See the course maps from a recent club event. You may also be interested in the results (including LiveLox) from a recent event. The courses are set a bit on the short side to accommodate festival fatigue. Conditions have been good but please do note that there is some evidence of off-terrain vehicle use in areas that have been previously undisturbed. Many thanks to the Native Village of Eklutna for use of their lands.
| Course | Length (km) | Climb (m) | Controls | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | 6.8 | 165 | 14 | 1:10,000 |
| Green | 4.1 | 95 | 9 | 1:10,000 |
| Orange | 3.4 | 75 | 9 | 1:7,500 |
| Yellow | 2.8 | 55 | 8 | 1:5,000 |
| White | 2.4 | 55 | 8 | 1:5,000 |
Schedule: Starts from 5 pm to 7 pm. You must be back by 8:30 pm!
Cell Coverage: Good.
People:
- Meet Director and Course Setter: Dorn Van Dommelen
- Registrar: Anne Billman
- Vetter: Frank Witmer
- Volunteers: Diane, Eve and Mildgyth Van Dommelen. Max Romey and Brittany Hippe are picking up the controls beginning at 8:30 p.m.!
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
We have set up a print-on-demand store with festival t-shirts and few other items.
Shipping costs to Alaska are a little high so you might want to combine orders with friends to save money.
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: