May 19, 2024

The Fall 2025 season opener was a great success. We hosted an event that focused on beginners, but had courses of all lengths and difficulty levels to suit everybody. An enthusiastic crop of first-timers was greeted by an experienced crew of beginner instructors, who provided an introduction to the sport and then walked around a short Intro course with the newcomers. ​

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The team of first-timers Sarah Cool and Ryan Hamilton were fastest on the Beginner course, just edging out Missoula Youth Orienteering Program rising star Luke Snowden. On Advanced Beginner, another set of newcomers: Elias, Patrick, and Judah Parenzin, took the sweep, finishing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in their first outing. Youth reigned supreme on the Intermediate course, where Kelli Fry was fastest , a few minutes ahead of Euell Browne. UM orienteering star Ben Conley, fresh off racing at Junior Worlds, was fastest on the Long Advanced course, getting around the challenging 7.2km course in under 48 minutes!

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We had a great crew helping out today. Thank you to event director Allison Brown and course setter Boris Granovskiy! Chris Caldwell helped with everything, from control hanging and pickup to beginner instruction, setup, and takedown. Other helpers included Kara Browne, Euell Browne, Ben Conley, Kate deBlonk, Ben Brady, and Kathleen Dent. 

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Up next is our national event: the Bitterroot Weekend on September 20-21! This event is open to everyone, so sign up and check out some of our best terrain and courses! 

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Split times: https://www.attackpoint.org/eventdetail.jsp/event_60076​

Courses and routes: https://www.livelox.com/Events/Show/167580/GrizO-Pattee-Canyon-09-06-2025

Pictures:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/2Ny6aK247cLk1GfPA​​

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