Sherry Litasi’s introduction to orienteering was on a blind date, appropriately enough for a sport that requires navigating unknown territory with only a compass and map. Now president of the Rocky Mountain Orienteering Club, Litasi enjoys what she calls “the fun of getting lost.” Claire Martin, The Denver Post
Q: What’s the appeal of deliberately getting lost?
A: The fun of getting found! The challenge of finding your way back, and that you did survive, and used your intelligence and coping skills to find your way out. More people need to experience that.
Q: You mean, getting lost?
A: Obviously, if you’re really lost in the woods or mountains, that’s different; it’s not a super-safe environment. But because that happens, I think it’s a good idea to practice getting lost — in a safe environment, like a maze — and finding your way back. Then if you really are lost, you know how to use your brain and stay calm.
Q: Do you like mazes?
A: Mazes, I think, give you that sense of fun. It’s not like you’re going to be attacked by wild animals and lost for days. Worst case scenario, you flag down the guy in the tower and say “Help!” Or you can break through the corn stalks.
Q: The maze proprietors frown on that. What about taking a map or a bird’s-eye photograph? Is that cheating?
A: Yes. That’s cheating too much. Mazes are about not having any idea what the puzzle looks like — a trial-and-error, problem-solving thing. You do have to keep track of where you’ve been. Being aware of your surroundings is key. I see people in mazes going two or three times down the same path.
