CORE Land Navigation and Orienteering Flashcards

When teaching orienteering to beginners, which skill should be introduced first?

Answer: Map orientation using terrain association

Terrain association — matching physical features on the ground to map symbols — is the foundational skill taught before compass use or coordinate systems.

In pace counting for navigation, what must a student calibrate before using this technique?

Answer: Their personal pace count per 100 meters on varied terrain

Each person must measure how many paces (double steps) they personally take to cover 100 meters on flat and varied terrain before using pace counting for navigation.

What does 'orienting the map' mean in field navigation?

Answer: Aligning the map so its north matches the actual north direction in the field

Orienting the map means physically rotating it so that north on the map aligns with north in the real world, making terrain features match their map symbols.

Which type of terrain feature is easiest to use as a 'catching feature' when navigating through dense forest?

Answer: A linear feature such as a stream, trail, or ridgeline

Linear features like streams, trails, or ridgelines act as catching features because they are hard to miss and stop or redirect travel when reached.

What is the primary purpose of a 'handrail' in backcountry navigation?

Answer: A linear terrain feature followed alongside the route of travel for guidance

A handrail is a natural linear feature — such as a fence, stream, or ridgeline — that parallels your direction of travel and guides you without requiring constant compass checks.

When reading a topographic map, closely spaced contour lines indicate what type of terrain?

Answer: A steep slope or cliff

Closely spaced contour lines represent rapid elevation change over a short horizontal distance, indicating a steep slope or near-vertical terrain.