All Questions
Tagged with navigation orienteering
17
questions
10
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Are there any examples of orienteering (off-trail) route-finding software?
Route-finding software is common nowadays. For example, you can use Google Maps to navigate from one town to another. It's even possible to use apps like Gaia GPS to plan a route between two points ...
9
votes
2
answers
258
views
How to follow bearings while running?
I'm am amateur orienteer that does a fair chunk of races. I'm reasonably decent at navigating - using attack points, bearings, contours, catching features etc.
But I cannot follow a bearing ...
9
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What does contouring mean in the context of navigation/orienteering?
One of the techniques while navigating in the outdoors is known as contouring, what does this mean and when would it be useful?
1
vote
1
answer
4k
views
What is a back bearing when navigating with map and compass?
Sometimes when navigating with map and compass one will take a back bearing, i.e. a bearing taken directly opposite to the direction one is travelling?
When and why would one want to do this?
4
votes
1
answer
858
views
In orienteering/navigation, what is an attack point?
Some features in orienteering or navigation are called attack points. What exactly does this refer to?
12
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What is a catch feature in orienteering?
On of the terms used in orienteering is "catch feature".
What exactly is a catch feature and how would a catch feature help one with navigating in the outdoors?
9
votes
1
answer
337
views
In orienteering/navigation, what is a handrail feature?
One of the terms in orienteering/navigation is "handrail feature".
What exactly does this term mean?
4
votes
2
answers
249
views
Can you find your location using the angle between compass bearings?
Sometimes compasses are less accurate than we would like them to be. They can be thrown off by their surroundings, have their polarity reversed, become demagnetized, develop air bubbles or be taken ...
8
votes
4
answers
5k
views
Can a compass be thrown off by its surroundings?
Would it be possible for a compass be affected by its surroundings, such as a large iron deposit or other rocks to the point where it is not working correctly?
I am not talking about declination but ...
7
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Can a compass reverse polarity?
Can a compass have its polarity reversed so that the end marked "north" points south and vice versa?
If so, what could one do to prevent and fix this problem?
15
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Is it normal for a compass to develop an air bubble at high altitude?
I live in Denver, Colorado. Going above 10,000 ft. (3,000 metre) always results in an air bubble large enough for me to want to tilt the compass to prevent the bubble from interfering with the needle....
5
votes
1
answer
6k
views
How to triangulate your position with a map and compass?
While navigating or orienteering with a map or compass one of the essential skills is the ability to find your position on the map with the aid of the compass.
This can be important if you need to ...
108
votes
5
answers
14k
views
Why would one aim off when navigating with a map and compass?
Sometimes while navigating with map and compass, the advice is to aim off i.e. to aim either to the left or right of the intended destination, as opposed to straight for it.
Why and when would one ...
10
votes
1
answer
428
views
What are the measurements on this slope angle tool?
I totally need one of these
This helps you estimate the slope angle on a contour map by measureing the gaps between the contour lines. This is to help you avoid avoid avalanche areas.
I'm sure I ...
4
votes
1
answer
352
views
Learning to find north using moon phases
How to learn to find north using moon phases? I'm looking for easy-to-remember rule of thumb, at best some simple graphic.
It's quite trivial by full moon. Since full moon is in direct opposition to ...