Macpherson (Self-directed) Revelstoke

Organizer: Bart Jarmula (Event Director)

Map: Mount Macpherson

For anyone who was really hoping to run on the Macpherson map this season, come out to Revelstoke in the latter half of September for a self-directed classic style course. We will make use of the terrain near Tantrum North and Lower Flowdown that is not affected by logging. An intermediate and advanced course will be available.

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Parking/Start:

Parking will be at the Flowdown trailhead which is located on Hwy 23 S, 2.8 km from the TCH junction. Note that there is no highway signage marking the parking lot. There is an outhouse available in the parking lot. The course start is located 300 m west of the parking lot. Follow the power line access road up the hill until the Flowdown trail crossing.

Terrain/Map:

The Macpherson map covers a mossy inland temperate fir/cedar/hemlock forest, with marshy areas that may be filled with alder, skunk cabbage, ferns or devil's club. At this time of the year most of the creeks are low or even dry, as are the areas marked as marsh or swamp. The forest is quite rugged with significant dead fall (more than mapped), and lush undergrowth which can limit visibility. Whether you find the white forest "runnable" will depend on your fitness and agility - fast movement requires some gymnastics;) It is certainly not as runnable as pine forests near Kamloops. There is a decent amount of vertical relief - expect some steep climbs/descents. Rock features are plentiful. There is a moderately dense trail network of mountain bike trails, power line access roads, rogue motorbike trails, and old horse trails. Some of the newer motor bike trails have not been mapped. If you are a fast runner on trails, you may find that longer routes may be faster. If you are hiking then staying more direct may be better.

Safety:

The map should have good cell service unless you are in a depression. An easterly bearing will always take you back to the highway. Bears (usually black) may be present - consider carrying bear spray. Avoid grabbing the Devil's Club with your bare hands. Please make safe route choices around cliffs. There may be active hauling on the Tantrum FSR along the western and southern sections of the map please use caution when near this road. Keep your head up while on the mountain bike trails. Please avoid crossing the pink hatched areas on the map (private property).

Courses:

• Challenge: 5.1 km, 15 controls. The controls are generally within 50 m of trails with some route choices. This is not a beginner course - good map reading skills are required. The fastest route between controls will sometimes require following a compass bearing towards a catching feature, or using terrain features as handrails (though a longer trail route is always an option). For more experienced orienteers, this can be a fun trail run with navigation. The course is set up so that it can easily be shortened after 9 controls, with a direct return to the finish if desired.
• Expert: 5.7 km, 18 controls. All controls are off trail and require long sections of off trail travel. Very difficult navigation, suitable for experienced orienteers.

All course distances are measured in a straight line between controls. Your route will be longer. Controls are marked with pink flagging tape that will have "Sage" and the control code written on it. Note that the control code is not the control number - it is found one the control descriptions. The map scale (if printed) will be 1:7500, with contour intervals of 5 m.

If you have any questions, you can contact the event director by clicking on his name at the top of this page. A "cheat sheet" can be made available for intermediate orienteers who are interested in trying more direct routes between the controls, but would like some guidance.

Orienteering maps are quite detailed so it is very worthwhile reviewing a map legend to ensure you are using the map to it's full potential. Here is a good resource to check out.

Cost:

These self-directed events are being offered for free to all Sage Orienteering Club members. If you do not have a 2025 Sage membership, you may purchase one as part of event registration, or choose "Day of Member" to participate only in this event for $5. In order to participate, EVERYONE in your group must have registered.

Location