ROGAINE Equipment

You can spend a lot of money on equipment, but for straightforward trips, simple, inexpensive equipment will often do. You also need to compromise between what you want to take and the weight that you are prepared to carry.

How to do a rogaine:

1. Unless you intend to clear the course, start by identifying the controls that you're going to ignore. Controls that are too far away, too much climb, too difficult for your level... if they're just not realistic, cut these out straight away. This leaves you with the controls you could reach. Now you have to find the best solution for you to achieve the highest score you can. How many controls you ignore depends on your level of fitness and navigation skill... it's up to your judgement what you can tackle within the time-limit.

2. Next... plan your last controls first - what group of controls gives you the best option to drop controls if you need to get back on time? 

3. Knowing which way you're approaching the finish basically sets which direction you need to leave the start...so look for the most efficient loop you can manage. You're aiming to plan a loop (it'll be a squiggly loop) that avoids out & backs and criss-crossing itself. 

4. You want to look for fast running (tracks, fences, obvious terrain features) that link controls together, and attack points for getting into the circle. You want to minimize climb, but when your loop forces you to climb, just do it. You can't rogaine well if you won't climb!

5. Draw on your intended route, like literally this track, that track etc... or you can draw straight lines between circles like a normal orienteering map. Your preference. Just don't obscure map detail that you might need! Use a highlighter. Ideally pink because it stands out against the rest of the map. Avoid drawing in the circle at all so you can see the map clearly.

Now what about after the start gun and you're actually out there doing it?

• Get back on time. 

• Wear a watch, and look at it, so you can get back on time.

• Drop controls so you can get back on time.

• If you don't find a control first or second attempt, be willing to ditch it and head for the next one. Set a time limit and if you haven't figured it out, move on. Searching just burns the time you need for all the other controls on your route, and to get back on time.

• Set an alarm on your watch for halfway - compare that against progress on your route: are you ahead or behind? This helps you decide if you need to drop controls or not... If you're stretched for time, you can drop controls in the middle, not just at the end. 

• Get psyched for pain at the end. The last part of your rogaine you will probably be pushing to get controls AND get back on time. Digging deep is part of the fun, so embrace the burn in your legs and lungs and run!