Orienteering Honor

1.
Explain what a topographic map is, what you can expect to find on it,
and three uses for it.
A topographical map is one that shows the physical features of the land. Besides
just showing landforms such as mountains and rivers, the map also shows the
elevation changes of the land. Elevation is shown using contour lines.
When a contour line is drawn on a map it represents a given elevation. Every

point on the map touching the line should be the same elevation. On some maps,
numbers on the lines will let you know the elevation for that line.
Contour lines next to each other will represent different elevations. The closer the
contour lines are to each other, the steeper the slope of the land will be.
Let’s do some contour line exercises
2. Identify at least 20 signs and symbols used on topographic maps.
3. Give the nomenclature of an orienteering compass.
4. Know and explain the following:
a. Elevation: The height of a point in relation to sea level.
b. Azimuth: The azimuth is a compass bearing expressed in degrees.

There are 360° in a circle, and North is, by convention, 0° (or 360°).
East is 90°, South is 180° and West is 270°. Azimuth expresses the
compass bearing in the direction of interest.
c. Back-Azimuth: Back azimuth is the direction from which you are coming.
The rule to remember to determine a back azimuth is as follows: -Degrees:
Less than 180 degrees, add 180 degrees. More than 180 degrees, subtract
180 degrees. The most common need for a back azimuth is reversing a path.
d. Contour lines are lines that connect points that are of the same elevation.
They show the exact elevation, the shape of the land and the steepness of
the land's slope.
The elevation difference from one line

to another is called the contour
interval.
e. Magnetic North: Is the direction in which the north end of a compass needle
or other freely suspended magnet will point in response to the earth's
magnetic field. It deviates from true north over time and from place to place
because the earth's magnetic poles are not fixed in relation to its axis
f. Declination: The angle between true north and magnetic north is called
declination and is either east or west of magnetic north depending on
where you are on Earth. East declination means that locally the Earth's
magnetic field points in a direction that will pass the North Pole on the east
side.
g. Scale: Map scale is the relationship between distance on the map and
distance in real life. That means that distance on the map always has a
constant ratio with distance on the ground. For instance, a map scale might
say that one inch is equal to one mile or 1 inch is equal to 24000 inches
(2000FT)
h. Measuring: The act of determining distance on a map and converting it to
distance on the ground. In order to do this translation, you must know the
map's scale (see above). Measuring can be done with a ruler or with
calipers.
i. True North: True North is the direction from any point on the Earth's surface
to the Geographic North Pole (Red in the shed when using the compass).
j. Distance: Distance is the measure of length, or how far apart two points are
away from each other.
k. Ground forms or Land forms: Major types of landforms on earth include
mountains, valleys, plateaus, glaciers, hills, loess, plains and desserts.
Mountains are lands physical features protruding high beyond the hills and
very high up the land surface with steep top commonly shaped up to a
peak
5. Demonstrate how to shoot a magnetic azimuth.
6. Demonstrate how to march on a magnetic azimuth.

7. Know two methods to correct for declination and when correction is
necessary.
Method 1.
When navigating with a map and a compass, it is important to understand that

the true or geographical north (North Pole) is not the same as magnetic north.
The angle between true north and magnetic north is called declination and is
either east or west of magnetic north depending on where you are on Earth.
East declination means that locally the Earth’s magnetic field points in a direction
that will pass the North Pole on the east side. West declination passes on the west
side.
You should always check your local declination. The declination

angle changes over time due to the fluctuation of Earth’s
magnetic field.
Method 2.
If magnetic north is east of true north, the local declination is positive.
If magnetic north is west of true north, the local declination is negative.
Follow these steps:
1. Find the declination for your area, using exactly the same steps (above) as you
would for a compass with adjustable declination.
2. After that, you make declination adjustments by adding or subtracting that

declination each time you work with a bearing.
3. Note that, for all calculations, an east declination is a positive number and a west
declination is a negative number.
4. Read How to Use a Compass for a refresher on how to take a bearing in the
field and from a map.
5. Whenever you transfer a magnetic bearing taken in the field to your map, you
add the magnetic declination to get the true bearing. (Note that a west
declination is, in essence, subtracted because you are adding a negative
number.)
6. Whenever you transfer a bearing taken from your map to the field, you
subtract the magnetic declination to get the magnetic bearing to follow. (Now
a west declination is, in essence, added because you are subtracting a negative
number.)
8. Be able to orient yourself with a map by inspection and by compass.
Next…
Let’s get some bearings
Have FUN!!

Orienteering Honor

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Orienteering Honor

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Orienteering Honor

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

1.

When a contour line is drawn on a map it represents a given elevation. Every

a. Elevation: The height of a point in relation to sea level.

b. Azimuth: The azimuth is a compass bearing expressed in degrees.

The elevation difference from one line

5. Demonstrate how to shoot a magnetic azimuth.

6. Demonstrate how to march on a magnetic azimuth.

When navigating with a map and a compass, it is important to understand that

You should always check your local declination. The declination

If magnetic north is east of true north, the local declination is positive.

If magnetic north is west of true north, the local declination is negative.

Follow these steps:

2. After that, you make declination adjustments by adding or subtracting that

You might also like