Tahoe 4-Day
Day 1: Sierra College Tahoe-Truckee
Date: (Fri.) Jul. 31, 2026
Location: Truckee, CA
Event Director: 
Course Setter: Derek Maclean
Type: B; Day 1 of the Tahoe 4-Day events will provide a forest Sprint event. Beginners and non-members are welcome, beginner instruction will be offered, and attendance at other Tahoe 4-Day events is not required. (pending park approval)
Related Event Information
Optional Online Registration (https://eventreg.orienteeringusa.org/eventregister/register/start/tahoe4day2026) Main Tahoe 4-Day Page Day-1 Event Information Day-1 Volunteer Sign-up (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1XZxm1FopeB8qWA09WG6rYkp73F8PowGa5QbqxW8xI28/edit) Day-2 Event Information Day-3 Event Information Day-4 Event Information Attackpoint Event Page (http://attackpoint.org/eventdetail.jsp/event_60560)
The information below is preliminary and subject to change.
We start the Tahoe 4-Day event with afternoon Sprint-distance courses on a new map of the Sierra College Tahoe-Truckee campus. There aren't many buildings. It will be a forest Sprint.
Everyone is welcome to participate in this event, including beginners and non-members. Free beginner instruction will be available during the time shown below.
Schedule
The following non-standard event schedule will be followed:
- 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Registration is open
- 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM: Beginner instruction is available (free)
- 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Starts are open for all the courses
- 5:30 PM: Everyone must have returned to the Finish
- Notes:
- Participants under age 18 who register at the event must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or bring with them a waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian. (The standard registration form is available here [12KB PDF]. Note, however, that some of the fees for this event are different than those on the form.)
- The walk to the start will be short. Allow 10 minutes to get there.
Note that you can register and start on the courses anytime during the open times above. Thus, for example, you do not need to be "punctual" at 2:00. (You can if you want, but please don't show up earlier and expect to be served.)
Beginner instruction is 15–20 minute, repeating sessions ("clinics") that introduce the sport of orienteering, and provide enough instruction to be able to complete a beginner (White or Yellow) course.
- Note: Beginners are given their course maps at registration. You should get your map before joining a beginner clinic.
Everyone must return to the Finish by 5:30 PM, and then promptly go to the download tent, even if they have not completed their course. Please do not leave without checking in! If there are unaccounted people after 5:30, we must initiate a search for them.
Costs & Registration
Since this is a "special" event, the standard BAOC registration fees do not apply.
The prices for the Tahoe 4-Day Package and for individual events are shown on the main Tahoe 4-Day event webpage. (Be sure to read the notes below the prices table.)
- Note: In addition to the BAOC fees, the campus charges a $3 parking fee.
Online registration for the Tahoe 4-day Package, and for individual events, will open closer to the event.
Registration for individual events (but not the Tahoe 4-day Package) will be available at the events.
Location of the Event
The Assembly Area (e.g., Registration and E-punch) will be located in the Sierra College parking lot. The driving directions and parking information are below.
Venue Facilities
There are restrooms in the college building, which is close to the Assembly Area.
Water will be available near the Assembly Area.
What to Bring
For Beginner (White and Yellow) courses, comfortable outdoors attire and shoes are fine.
For the Intermediate (Orange) and Advanced (Brown, Green, Red, and Blue) courses, the steeper hillsides can be a bit slippery due to dry leaves and loose dirt, so shoes with good grip are highly recommended. Long pants and/or gaiters might be desirable because of undergrowth.
A compass is not required, but can be very helpful — and can improve safety — so is recommended. We have compasses available for a $1 rental fee.
We time the courses with the SPORTident system, so each entry/team needs to have a SPORTident E-punch fingerstick. If you don't have your own, you can rent one at Registration for $5. (Use of the "E-punch" system is easy. You can learn how at the event, or read about it here.)
Courses
The course details will be available here closer to the event.
Hazards
Fortunately, there is no poison oak in the Sierras! 😊
You should be mindful of dehydration because the high-altitude air will be dry. That concern will be even greater if the weather is hot. So, you should consider carrying water while on your course.
Also because of the altitude, there will be increased risk of sunburn, so be sure to use plenty of quality sunscreen.
Volunteers Needed
As always, we need volunteers for this event.
Please consider volunteering to help — even part of a shift will help! Previous experience is not needed (except for Beginner Clinics), and easy training will be provided as needed, so please don't hesitate to sign up.
The shifts and current assignments are shown in this form (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1XZxm1FopeB8qWA09WG6rYkp73F8PowGa5QbqxW8xI28/edit). You can check the form to see what's available, then put your name on the form. If you want, you can send email to , the Event Director, to indicate your interest or ask where she would like help. Emily will respond back to you.
Driving Directions
Sierra College is right next to I-80 & CA 89 (11001 College Trail, Truckee, CA 96161). The approximate coordinates are 39.32233,-120.20385.
From either direction on I-80, take exit #185 for CA 89 South. Once you're headed south, make an immediate left onto College Trail.
Parking
The cost is $3. It stops being enforced at 4 PM.