For those who endure the rigors of city life every day, nature promises silence and spiritual peace. However, those who engage in orientation know very well  that a quiet spot can also be quite a challenge. This sport, which was born in the Nordic countries in the 19th century and has been recognized officially in Spain as a sport since 1993, takes participants back to those primitive times in which men fought each day to survive in a hostile atmosphere. What is its main feature? The thrill of passing the test.

Special maps
Ways to engage in orientation and places to do it vary widely: competitions can be individual or group, and forests, mountains and even deserts are perfect places to hold them. And they can be done on foot, on a bicycle or with skis. But the goal is always the same: travel a pre-determined route in the shortest time possible. At the start of the race, organizers provide competitors with a detailed map of the terrain that have symbols they must interpret. Notes in red indicate prohibited areas, while green ones mean vegetation, while brown refers to variations in altitude and black to artificial elements. The map also points out all the markers or control points through which the participants must pass. Each athlete is given a control card. When they arrive at these points they find a pole and a metal pin, different at each point, which they must use to puncture their card. In this way the judges know they have covered the proper route: no short cuts are allowed.

During the race, all the participants have to rely on is their ability to read the map, their intuition for choosing the best route and a compass that helps them find their way. However, being in good physical shape is also necessary because the idea is to finish first and this means running and sometimes crossing rivers or climbing mountains. This is even more the case in adventure raids, an advanced version of orientation in which participants have to go down ravines or make complicated climbs. Control points are generally placed at an elevated spot or near an artificial element so they can be found more easily. Along the way, contestants might run into other teams or competitors but the rules are very strict. Speaking is forbidden so as to keep people from collaborating with each other.

Well-equipped
Although the idea of this sport is to test one�s survival ability, for the experience to be pleasant it is a good idea to take some precautions. The first is to wear the right shoes: they must be comfortable, durable and if possible, waterproof. Tall boots are recommended to support one�s ankles on uneven terrain. Pants and shirts should be long to protect against scratches. As for the rest of one�s attire, it is always necessary to bring along warm clothing, a rain coat, sun glasses, a cap and sun-screen to adapt to changes in the weather. It is also a good idea to carry a cell-phone for emergencias. And of course, before setting out stock up on high-energy foods and water.

Although this is an adventure sport there are different levels of difficulty and at the beginner levels it is ideal to do as a family: it is fun, involves exercise and encourages cooperation, always in contact with nature. And it is easier and easier to do because in Spain there are now many associations which not only set up competitions but offer preparation courses lasting several days.