Due the lack of snow as of this moment, EMPO is now planning on conducting an on-foot orienteering event with no-snow or minimal-snow. IF we get a sudden dump of snow, in time for Pineridge to get trails ready, then we will revert to Ski-orienteering. A decision will be made on Thursday, posted on the web site, and e-mailed to all EMPO members and anyone else who has contacted me (Phil Hawkes-Teeter: philht@gmail.com ) for information.

If the event is a Ski-O, then the basic information is that there will be four courses (distances are direct-line, not skiable trail distances; with non-binding age/sex suggestions):

• Yellow – 1.79 kilometers, with 7 controls (Novices and Youth)
• Orange – 4.63 kilometers with 9 controls (High School and Seniors)
• Green – 7.73 kilometers with 11 controls (Adult Women and Older Men)
• Red – 10.17 kilometers with 18 controls (Adult Men)

If the event is a Foot-O, it will be in the Score-O format (meaning you can go to the controls in any order you choose, rather than in a specified sequential order; and you get points for each control you record, with no requirement to get any more than 1 of them to receive positive score). There will be penalties assessed if you do not return within the 2 hour time limit (we want everyone to be back home in good time; it still IS Winter). Full rules will be published close to game-time (and after I’ve had a chance to assess things on the ground as I place the controls on Thursday/Friday). In addition, there will be a point-to-point advanced beginner (Yellow) course for anyone who would prefer that to the Score-O format.

So stay tuned, and if you come (and you should!) be sure to read over the final rules before heading out onto the course.

Final note: If it’s a Foot-O, then we will use Foot-O pricing, rather than Ski-O pricing. However, we are not allowing the “White/Yellow Exception” this time, so everyone (except people who have never been to an EMPO event before) will be required to use electronic timing, and so some may need to rent an “SI stick” for $2.

I think that covers it for now.

-Phil