What course should I do?

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The Adventure Trek is a two-hour event for all competitors. Beginners can go slow and select easier routes. 

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The Middle and Classic include 7 different standardized course difficulty levels (see below). Beginners should select White or Yellow. 

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The mass-start Night Goat offers Beginner, Intermediate (Borrego), and Advanced (Goat) courses. You are encouraged to follow others, but may end up on your own. You can select an option based on experience, skills, and endurance - although we recommend beginners select their namesake, which will feature a lit beacon for you to (optionally) follow.

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What do the course colors mean?

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In the US, orienteering usually uses a standard system of color-coded courses as follows:

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Note: Due to the unique terrain of Anza-Borrego, much of the White and Yellow courses will technically be "off-trail", but will follow distinct and obvious ridge lines. 

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• White - suitable for absolute beginners. 2-3km long. 

• Yellow - for slightly more advanced beginners. Length is typically 2-3.5km.

• Orange - intermediate difficulty. Mix of on-trail and off-trail, generally relying on the more obvious mapped features. Length typically 3.5 - 4.5km.

• Brown - short advanced course. Off-trail and reliant on the subtler features of the terrain. Length typically 3.5-4.5km, with large/steep climbs deemphasized if the terrain allows.

• Green - an advanced course, a bit longer than brown. Length typically 4.5-5.5km.

• Red - a longer advanced course. Length typically 6-8km.

• Blue - the longest advanced course. Length typically 8-10km.

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Distances are as the crow flies between control points. The distance you travel may be much greater depending on topography and route choice. 

 

Can we race as a team? ​

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​Adventure Trek & Night Goat: These are individual competitions, so there is no formal team concept. However, since it's a mass start and following is allowed, you can easily participate together. Please ensure that each person registers their epunch at each control. 

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Middle & Classic: These are individual competitions and the following is not allowed, with two exceptions: 

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• Multiple registered participants on the White and Yellow courses may start together at any time. 

• Parents of registered children needing a "shadow" on the White or Yellow course may simply come to the start with their child. No registration needed. ​ ​

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What do I do at night?

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Each evening we light a big bonfire, eat dinner, watch orienteering videos, and review our performances. 

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On Saturday evening, Tad Gallistel will be hosting his infamous "Beacon-O" game. 

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Is there food? 

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The Desert O Fest is renowned for our decadent "snack tent", featuring healthy (and not-so-healthy) snacks, available to all competitors after each competition. Exact hours will be published closer to the event. 

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This year, we will be offering an "open grill" and selling hamburgers and hot dogs for a small fee in the evening. This will enable campers to avoid kitchen duty if desired. Quantities are limited and grill space is finite, so please be flexible. 

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Should I camp? 

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Yes! The majority of our attendees camp and It's a big part of the fun of the event, with epic views and a convivial environment. Conversely, the drive to Borrego Springs gets old quickly and the motels are general overpriced for what you get. 

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Can I bring my dog? 

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Technically, yes, but it's a terrible experience for them. The State Park has a policy that dogs be leashed and can't leave the roads, to which it's imperative that we adhere. In practice, this is torturous, as they are surrounded by an open desert full of interesting runners and animals to chase. Also, cactus and dogs don't mix very well.

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Can I drive my car?

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The one-mile sand road into the event site is passable by almost all vehicles, including 2WD sedans. However, it is very easy to get stuck if you leave the main road or explore beyond HQ. It's probably not the best weekend to bring your lowrider. Please bring boards, jumper cables, or any other vehicle rescue gear you may have in case you encounter someone in need. 

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​Can I cancel and get a refund? 

 

SDO offers a full refund for participants who request a cancellation at least 30 days before the event by emailing info@sandiegoorienteering.org. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer refunds to those who cancel within 30 days of the competition. However, we are able to transfer entries to a different person if the request is received before Tuesday, Jan 13th. 

 

What if the event is canceled? 

 

Orienteering events are never canceled due to inclement weather. If the event is canceled due to natural disasters (fire, flooding) or due to changes in permit status by land managers, a full refund will be offered. ​​​​​​​