Author Archives: Mark Geldmeier

2024-04-28 Kress Farm O-Meet Results

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What a great time at the Kress Farm Nature Preserve! Thanks to the board members for inviting us out to enjoy their scenic property, thanks to Dennis Brinkley and Troop 778 for making the maps, scout Mason Thayer for building the permanent course, and thanks to long-time SLOC member, Rick Armstrong for designing the courses. Abby Wilde was your race day registration volunteer. Rick, Nathan Graves, myself and others answered questions and gave beginner briefings.

Except for a quick downpour and a bit of wind, the weather was great for late April. Muted sunshine highlighted the variety of trees and fields of wildflowers. Some people spent extra time exploring those fields of wildflowers…unexpectedly (by going off the eastern side of the map). Oops!

Note: If you didn’t get enough or were not able to make it, the hiking trails and the permanent orienteering course at Kress Farm are always available to the public during the hours the preserve is open (a map can be borrowed). Native trees and plants, homegrown vegetables, as well as seasonal annuals are available for sale regularly and especially during their plant sale events. Check their website and FB page.

2023-06-27 Laumeier Results

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Thanks to all the participants! We had a great turnout for a Tuesday evening event. Laumeier Sculpture Park is definitely a treasure. Thank you for allowing me to indulge in a bit of whimsy…I doubt you’ve seen “crack in the Earth”, or “watch for deer poop” as control point clues before. Also thanks to the Brennan family for reminding me that this location was their first orienteering experience… A class given in partnership with the Saint Louis County Parks (where I was the instructor)…oh and that was in 2007…yikes! Finally, a big thanks to Jeff and Tom Ryan for the control pickup.

NameCourseClassTimeCP’sP
Matt Helbig, Paige HelbigSprintGroup with C0:23:0316
Bryan NiehausSprintIndividual0:24:0616
Jeff RyanSprintIndividual0:25:0716
Vladimir YurkunsSprintIndividual0:26:2716
Eric BuckleySprintIndividual0:27:1216
Scott KelleySprintIndividual0:30:4616
David WinterSprintIndividual0:31:2416
Nathan GravesSprintIndividual0:31:2816
Tom RyanSprintIndividual0:31:5516
Tim JohannsSprintIndividual0:34:2016
Melissa KelleySprintIndividual0:36:0516
Abby WildeSprintIndividual0:40:1216
Mike RhodesSprintIndividual0:42:2116
Jerry YoungSprintIndividual0:47:5216
Brian RodenbeckSprintIndividual0:29:54MP 235
Katie Helbig, Murphy HelbigSprintIndividual0:42:26MP 235
Heidi AbbottScore-O 30Individual0:27:57150
Chad & Ainsley Goodwin,
Jonathan & Evan Taulbee		Score-O 30Group with C0:33:2020-3
Patrick Geldmeier & Sophia SmithScore-O 30Group – Adults0:32:4113-2
Steve Brennan, Tim BrennanScore-O 30Group – Adults0:39:099-9
Dan SchimpfScore-OIndividual0:47:1520
Rob Ellis & Joel DauveScore-OGroup – Adults0:47:1520
Tyson CharbonnierScore-OIndividual0:56:1120
Robert & Cassie BartScore-OGroup – Adults1:01:5120
Neal & Susan BockwartScore-OGroup – Adults1:11:0120
Mary Piper, Shannon Piper, David FreiScore-OGroup-Adults0:47:5417
Miles KelleyScore-OIndividual0:59:5811
Andrew RScore-OIndividualDNS0
Ashley RuffScore-OIndividualDNS0

2023-06-27 Laumeier Sculpture Park

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Registration Here

Location: Use the Laumeier Park entrance off Rott Road, about 100 meters East of Geyer.  Look for signs and banners at the end of the last parking lot.

The map was updated by Jon Torrance in 2021.  It’s in good shape.  Trails are generally accurate, though the less distinct trails are overgrown.  There’s a lot of green (thick vegetation).  The course design is meant to keep you out of the green.  You can run in shorts (unless you like to make interesting route choices).

Beginner Course:  Find as many of the 20 checkpoint locations as you like in any order.  No time limit, but the courses closes at 7:30 pm.  Never been orienteering before…come on out…you’ll love it!

Intermediate Course:  A 30-minute score-O.  Find as many of the 20 checkpoint locations as you can in any order, but within the time limit.  If you go over 30 minutes, there’s a one CP per minute deduction.  Oh…and you don’t get to look at you map until your time starts.

Advanced Course: A 3.2 km point to point course with 16 checkpoints.  Must go in sequence.  You don’t get to see the map until your time starts.

Note: Only beginners get to review the map before starting.  Some checkpoint locations are shared.  So, if you’re helping a beginner, please do not look at the CP locations.

We’ll be using e-punch.  Checkpoint locations may have a control flag, a metal stake without a control flag, or maybe only an e-punch unit.  Look around.  Use your clue sheet.

Twist: Laumeier Park has 70 sculptures installed across its’ 105 acres.  Definitely a unique and unusual experience.  To have some fun and whimsy, you’ll receive a printed clue sheet with “unusual” clue descriptions.  These might be helpful or might not.  You’ll get this ahead of time and can study before you start.  A traditional symbol clue sheet is printed on the map.

Register online ahead of time and things will be ready for you!

2023-11-25 Turkey-O

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It’s the traditional 3-hour (and 1-hour) score-O event the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  This year we’ll be at Cuivre River State Park.  This is a gorgeous park and we’ve been neglecting it.  Haven’t been there?  Well, the terrain is glacially modified.  That means the hills are not as steep as some of our other large parks – perfect for some post-feast exercise and fresh air!

Family and friends in town?  Bring them orienteering.  If they’re not into orienteering, have them come out and walk the incredibly scenic 3.5 mile hiking trail around the lake…while you’re out in the woods.

A score-O format means you have a fixed amount of time to find as many checkpoints (controls) as you can.  For this one, you have your choice of either 3 hours or 1 hour.  There are a total of 25 CPs.  CPs #1-#20 are worth 10 points and #21-#25 are worth 20 points.  There’s a penalty of 10 points for every minute you’re late.

This event is great for beginners.  There are ten CPs fairly easy to find not far from the start.  If you register as Beginner, we’ll assign you to the 1-hour.  If you register as Intermediate or Advanced, we’ll assign you to the 3-hour.  But you can change your mind when you arrive.  Or even change your mind when you finish – it’s a holiday weekend after all!  Everyone gets a map with CPs #1-#20.  Advanced participants will get a second map with CPs #21-#25. 

We’ll be at the beach.  From the Highway 47 entrance, follow the signs to the park campground.  Take the turn off at the parking lot for the swimming beach. Oh, and sorry, but no, doing a “polar bear plunge” will not get you any extra points!

**Update**: The park has decided not to open the bathroom at the beach.  The nearest bathroom is a 0.4 mile walk/drive uphill to the campground (bathroom across from playground).  The Hilltop Shelter bathroom is also open.  It’s on the way as you drive through the park and is also CP #4 on the course. Also, there is no running water at the beach.  Nearest is at the campground host (site #69).  There’ll be a limited amount of water on the course and at the finish.  Please plan to bring your own.

Date/Time: Saturday, November 25

Start anytime between 10:00 am and Noon.  Course closes at 3:00 pm.

Location: Cuivre River State Park

Courses: 3-Hour and 1-Hour Score-O

Meet Director: Mark Geldmeier