Spion Kop West Kelowna
June 26th 2022 9:00am - July 10th 2022 8:00pm
Organizers: Kevin Matrosovs (Event Director), Kevin Matrosovs (Course Planner), Kevin Matrosovs (Coach), Tammy Howe (Assistant)
Map: Spion Kop
Quick Links
Registration is now closed and the courses have been taken down.
Updates
June 26 -- Registration for the self-directed activity is now open.
June 25
- Course distances updated and description of the start/finish flag location added.
- There is a Momma bear with 2 cubs in Spion Kop. It's a large area and they could be anywhere at anytime. On Saturday, June 25, they were spotted on the west side in the area of the courses. There will always be wildlife in the forest that we do not see, but we have a cubs sighting, so are providing that information here. If you choose to do the courses, we advise carrying bear bells and bear spray, doing the courses in a group, and making noise as you go.
Overview
This event focuses on the west face of Spion Kop. While the arrowleaf balsamroot are finished, a variety of other wild flowers are now in full bloom around the course.
Schedule
June 26: In-person activity with on-site instruction, help, and socializing.
- 09:00-10:00 -- In-terrain instruction and coaching on the short Introduction & Help course. Starts at 09:00.
- 10:00-13:00 -- Do the Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced course on your own while the event staff are on-site.
June 27 - July 10: Self-directed activity you do on your own time on your choice of the Beginner, Intermediate and/or Advanced course(s).
Registration
Registration for the self-directed activity is now open. All participants must be members of the Sage Orienteering Club. See the blue buttons in the above Quick Links section.
After you have done the course(s), please check back in to report who did which courses.
Location, Parking, and Map
The parking and start/finish is at the Raven Ridge trailhead on the west side of Spion Kop's. See the pin in the map below. Parking is on the side of the residential road leading to the trailhead. Pay attention to the No Parking signs at the turnaround point at the end of the road. Do not park in the turnaround area at the end of the road. The District of Lake Country bylaw officers do enforce this.
Courses
Controls are marked in the terrain using standard orienteering control flags.
The start/finish is a short distance up the orange-marked trail at the first major trail junction, which has a Spion Kop trail map.
Course distances are measured in a straight line between controls. You will travel further as your route takes you around areas like private property. The exact courses are still to be finalized, but the following should be a general guide:
Beginner: 2.0 km -- On trail loop with easy navigation and all controls on or near trails.
Intermediate: 3.1 km -- Longer loop with off-trail travel and controls and significant climbing and descending.
Advanced: 4.3 km -- Longest loop with significant off-traili travel and controls and the most challenging navigation.
COVID Safety
Please stay home if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 or illness.