Wilderness Navigation Study Guide
Field Navigation Series
Wilderness Navigation
Part 1: Foundations
What is Orienteering?
Orienteering is a competitive and recreational outdoor sport where participants navigate an unfamiliar course using only a highly detailed map and a magnetic compass. Rather than following marked trails, navigators must make split-second route choices through rugged, off-trail terrain.
The main objective of a standard orienteering course is to locate a series of checkpoint locations (known as control points) marked on a map in a specific numerical sequence, and to complete the entire course in the shortest possible time.
Historical Origins
A Military Discipline
Orienteering originated in Sweden (Scandinavia) during the late 19th century (1890s). It began as a rigorous military training activity designed to teach soldiers how to move rapidly across wild, unmapped territory.
The first public competitive event occurred in Norway in 1897, transforming a tactical military skill into a globally celebrated athletic sport. Today, it is practiced by adventurers, athletes, and military personnel worldwide.
"Orienteering combines rapid physical athletic movement with intense, real-time mental problem solving. It is often referred to as 'running while playing chess.'"
Wilderness Orienteering Study Guide Page 1 of 4
Field Navigation Series
The Baseplate Compass
Part 2: Gear
The Navigator's Tools
To successfully traverse wild spaces, an orienteer relies on exactly two essential pieces of analog equipment: a highly specialized map and a liquid-filled magnetic compass.
1. The Orienteering Map
A custom topographic map depicting land relief, vegetation density, rock formations, water features, and human structures with extreme precision.
2. The Magnetic Compass
A physical baseplate compass that aligns with Earth's magnetic fields, allowing navigators to measure precise angles, follow straight bearings, and orient maps.
Anatomy of an Orienteering Baseplate Compass
Direction of Travel Arrow: Points directly toward your physical objective or target checkpoint.
Rotating Dial (Housing): Marked from 0° to 360° to measure and set precise headings.
Orienting Arrow ("The Shed"): The static outline used to align and orient the magnetic needle.
DIRECTION OF TRAVEL N (0°) E (90°) S (180°) W (270°)
Magnetic Needle: The magnetized red half always points directly to Earth's Magnetic North.
Orienting Lines: Parallel lines inside the dial used to align with map grid lines.
Baseplate Ruler: Used for measuring physical distance on orienteering maps.
Wilderness Orienteering Study Guide Page 2 of 4
Field Navigation Series
Map & Terrain Interpretation
Part 3: Navigation Science
Reading Topographic Maps
Unlike flat street maps, a topographic map represents the physical shape of the earth's surface. It provides critical information regarding:
- Relief: Hills, valleys, slopes, depressions, and ridges.
- Vegetation: Dense forests (dark green) vs. open fields (white/yellow).
- Water Features: Streams, marshes, lakes, and seasonal ponds.
- Man-made Structures: Fences, trails, buildings, and ruins.
The Magic of Contour Lines
Contour lines are thin, brownish lines that connect adjacent points of equal elevation. They represent 3D terrain in a 2D format.
The contour interval is the vertical distance represented between two lines. Packed tightly together, the terrain is very steep; spaced far apart, the terrain is relatively flat.
Contour Line Anatomy
Peak (100m) Gentle Slope Steep Slope
Wide = Flat Close = Steep
Spacing shows slope steepness.
True vs. Magnetic North
A critical hazard in land navigation is the distinct difference between Earth's two "Norths":
- True North (Geographic): The axis pointing directly to the rotational poles at the top of the globe.
- Magnetic North: The shifting focal point where the Earth's magnetic core draws your compass needle.
The angular discrepancy between these two points is called magnetic declination. If you do not adjust for declination, you can drift hundreds of meters off-course over a short distance.
Magnetic Declination Angle
TRUE NORTH (GN) MAGNETIC (MN) Declination
Failing to adjust causes navigation errors.
Wilderness Orienteering Study Guide Page 3 of 4
Field Navigation Series
Course Strategy & Safety
Part 4: Tactics & Safety
Orienting the Map: The First Vital Move
Before taking a single physical step, you must orient the map: rotate the paper map in space until the north-south lines on the paper align precisely with actual magnetic north. This ensures "right is right and left is left" relative to the physical terrain around you.
1 Place compass flat on map.
2 Rotate dial to align N with travel arrow.
3 Spin map and body until needle is in "The Shed."
Tactical Navigation Skills
Using Handrails
Handrails are easily followed linear features (like fences, trails, streams, stone walls, or power lines). Navigating along a handrail keeps you moving rapidly while greatly reducing cognitive effort.
Aiming Off
A strategy of deliberately aiming slightly to one side of a target feature located along a handrail. When you hit the linear feature, you know immediately whether to turn left or right, rather than guessing.
What if You Get Lost?
If you lose orientation, execute the STOP Protocol immediately:
S - Stop: Freeze where you are. Moving blindly worsens errors.
T - Think: Recall your last known certain location.
O - Observe: Look for distinct landscape features or handrails.
P - Plan: Use compass safety bearings to navigate back.
Athleticism & Ethics
Physical Fitness: High speeds across off-trail terrain require raw endurance, agility, and quick decision-making under physical stress.
Environmental Ethics: Orienteers follow "Leave No Trace" principles. We protect fragile ecosystems, protect wildlife, and minimize soil erosion.
Wilderness Orienteering Study Guide Page 4 of 4
Wilderness Navigation Student Worksheet
Wilderness Navigation Series
Student Worksheet
Concept Comprehension
STUDENT NAME:
DATE:
PERIOD:
Directions: Utilizing the information from the Wilderness Navigation Study Guide, answer the following questions in complete sentences. Ensure your handwriting remains completely inside the designated answer areas.
Q1.
What is orienteering?
Q2.
In which country did the modern sport of orienteering originate?
Q3.
During what century did orienteering first begin as a military training activity?
Q4.
What is the main objective of an orienteering course?
Q5.
What two essential pieces of equipment are used to navigate an orienteering course?
Q6.
What is a control point (checkpoint) in orienteering?
Q7.
What is the purpose of a control marker or control flag?
Q8.
What does a topographic map show that helps an orienteer navigate?
Q9.
Why is a compass important during an orienteering event?
Q10.
What is meant by "orienting the map" before beginning a course?
Wilderness Orienteering Comprehension Page 1 of 2
Wilderness Navigation Series
Student Worksheet
Tactics & Stewardship
STUDENT NAME:
Q11.
What is the difference between true north and magnetic north?
Q12.
Name two navigation skills that are important for success in orienteering.
Q13.
Why is route planning an important strategy during an orienteering race?
Q14.
What is the benefit of using handrails (such as trails, fences, or streams) while navigating?
Q15.
What should an orienteer do if they realize they have become lost?
Q16.
Why is physical fitness important in competitive orienteering?
Q17.
What are contour lines on an orienteering map, and what do they represent?
Q18.
How is the winner of a standard orienteering competition determined?
Q19.
Besides competition, name one educational or recreational benefit of participating in orienteering?
Q20.
Why are environmental stewardship and the "Leave No Trace" principles important in orienteering?
Wilderness Orienteering Comprehension Page 2 of 2
Wilderness Navigation Answer Key
Wilderness Navigation Series
Teacher Answer Key
Grading Resource: Questions 1-10
Teacher Note: Student responses should match the core factual definitions below. Wording may vary slightly, but key terminology (underlined or bolded) must be present.
Q1.
What is orienteering?
Orienteering is a competitive or recreational outdoor sport where participants navigate an unfamiliar course using only a detailed map and a magnetic compass.
Q2.
In which country did the modern sport of orienteering originate?
It originated in Sweden (within the region of Scandinavia).
Q3.
During what century did orienteering first begin as a military training activity?
It began in the late 19th century (1890s).
Q4.
What is the main objective of an orienteering course?
To locate a series of control points (checkpoints) marked on a map in a specific numerical sequence in the shortest possible time.
Q5.
What two essential pieces of equipment are used to navigate an orienteering course?
A topographic or orienteering map and a magnetic (baseplate) compass.
Q6.
What is a control point (checkpoint) in orienteering?
A specific, highly identifiable physical terrain feature (such as a boulder, hill, or trail intersection) marked on the map that the navigator must physically visit.
Q7.
What is the purpose of a control marker or control flag?
To visually confirm to the navigator that they have successfully found the correct physical checkpoint location in the forest.
Q8.
What does a topographic map show that helps an orienteer navigate?
It shows terrain relief (elevation and shape of the land) using contour lines, vegetation density, water systems, and man-made structures.
Q9.
Why is a compass important during an orienteering event?
It allows the user to find precise direction/bearing, maintain a straight course through dense woods, and align (orient) the map with the terrain.
Q10.
What is meant by "orienting the map" before beginning a course?
Rotating the physical map so its north-south lines point to actual magnetic north on Earth, aligning the paper with physical land shapes (ensuring right is right and left is left).
