Killer Bee Test Loop

The Killer Bee Test Loop was originally designed by Beatrice Zurcher as a standard Blue course for Day 3 of the 1998 Rocky Mountain 1000 Day. Only gradually were its mystical qualities divined, and and recognition slowly accumulated that here was something special. June 14, 2003 is the date that goes down in history as what had been only myth passed over to the realm of legend, when 6 valiant runners gathered on the high altitude, short grass prairie, placing special objects of signifance at the apex of the Start Triangle, and then, one by one, set out on the loop to do their best.

The Killer Bee Test Loop is now widely acknowledged to be the foremost test loop in all of the North American orienteering world. It measures 11.4 kms with 350 m of climb and has 22 controls, and wraps through a section of mostly open, relatively undetailed Granite Terrain typical of one of the terrain sub-types in the Laramie Range, at an average elevation of about 8100'. Wind conditions can, and very often do, have a big influence on test times. The most favorable wind direction is thought to be from E to ESE, and the least favorable wind direction is from W to WNW.

Personal Bests

Mikell Platt (streamers)--52:55

Brian Moore (punches)--71:56

Jan Ingebrigtsen (punches)--79:20

Mike Dieck (punches)--89:23

Troy Bozarth (punches)--89:25

Mark Hendrickson (punches)--99:40

(JJ Cote' may also have run the test loop, but it appears his time may not have survived.)