Open Event - International Cartographic Conference Wednesday Evening Training

Organizers: Dawn Mooney (Event Director), Chris Benn (Controller), Meghan MacLeod (Assistant), Jonathan Harris (Assistant), Dawn Lessowai (Assistant), Daniel Widmann (Membership)

Map: Stanley Park South

Vancouver is hosting the 32nd International Cartographic Conference (ICC 2025) from August 17 to 22, 2025 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. This event brings together cartographers, geographers, and mapping enthusiasts from around the world to share knowledge, explore innovations, and celebrate the art and science of cartography. The conference includes an optional orienteering event, and the conference organizers asked GVOC to host. The event is part of GVOC's Wednesday Evening Training (WET) series, but please note that it is on a TUESDAY evening.

The pre-existing GVOC Stanley Park South map has been extended to include the Coal Harbour area around the Vancouver Convention Centre. The course start and finish are at Harbour Green Park, at West Cordova St and Bute St, 500 metres or a 5 minute walk from the Convention Centre. The start and finish location is shown on the map below.

Information for ICC 2025 Attendees

• You must be pre-registered for this event. Confirm whether you are registered on the conference registration website, or with the conference registration desk. You should have received a waiver to fill out via email. If you did not, find the form here: ICC2025 - Orienteering Event Waiver and Assumption of Risk. Please email the completed form to wheate@unbc.ca.
• You can start anytime between 6 and 7 pm, and you must report to the finish by 8 pm. The start and finish location is shown on the map below.
• There will be two orienteering courses available. The beginner course will be 2.5 km with 12 controls and the intermediate course will be 3.5 km with 17 controls. Note that these distances are "as the crow flies" and the true walking (or running!) distance will be 10-20% longer. Both courses are point to point, where you navigate from control to control in a set order.
• The courses are located in the busy Coal Harbour neighbourhood and include urban streets lined with shops and apartment buildings, parks, and waterside walking and cycling paths. Please be very careful when crossing the cycling paths along the seawall, and cross all streets at corners, and at crosswalks where available.
• We will use electronic (SI) timing and prizes will be awarded to the three fastest men and women on each course. Timing is optional - if you just want to try orienteering for fun with no timing pressure, you can! If you have an SI or SIAC (contactless) card, please bring it.
• Coaching will be available for beginners.
• This is an urban area so no special clothing or shoes are needed, just wear something comfortable for walking/running.
• Never orienteered before? Here is some introductory info from Orienteering British Columbia.

Information for Local GVOC Members

• Please register for the beginner (2.5 km) or intermediate (3.5 km) course using Interpodia. As usual, you may start any time after 6 pm and must report to the finish by 8 pm. This event is appropriate for beginners. Experienced orienteers are likely to be called upon to coach conference attendees, who may have never orienteered before.
• We will use SI timing, so bring your SI stick if you have one!

Wednesday Evening Training

• What should I bring? Wear something comfortable that you don't mind getting a little dirty! If it's wet outside, you might want to consider a change of shoes and socks! A headlamp or flashlight and reflective clothing is critical in the winter months (late September to April). A compass is optional (we have extra ones for borrowing). For added safety, a whistle is mandatory for all GVOC events. Read more in the WET Introduction to Orienteering.

When should I sign up? Please sign up by Tuesday night so that we can print enough maps, although we have extra maps if you forget.

How much does it cost? All WETs are free with yearly membership.

Club membership: See details on the club home page. Please complete before your first event!

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