1. UNIT 9
ORIENTEERING

2. Orienteering
A sport that involves land navigation
over unfamiliar terrain with a map and
compass

3. Benefits of Orienteering
The benefits of Orienteering are many:
• Builds self confidence
• Enhances team building
• Improves map reading
• Teaches a lifetime sport
• Provides mental challenges
• Provides physical challenges

4. Orienteering
The object of orienteering is to run, ski,
walk, or mountain bike to a series of
points shown on a map. These points
are called control points.

5. Orienteering
Course lengths range from less than 1
mile for beginners to 4 or more miles
for experienced orienteers.

6. The Well-Dressed Orienteer
Lightweight
Compass Long Sleeve Shirt
Looped At Wrist
Wristwatch
Tear Resistant
Old Pants
Shin Guards
Old Shoes

7. Map Reading
Orienteering usually requires the use of
a topographic map depicting the area in
which the course is laid out.
A topographic map is a graphic
representation of manmade and natural
features of a part of the Earth's surface.

8. Topographic Map
Orienteering maps usually are drawn to
a scale of 1:15,000 or 1:10,000, and have
5-meter contour lines or intervals.
They also show large boulders, cliffs,
ditches, and many other features.
Some of the other features that may be
shown are listed on the next screen.

9. Features
Boundaries Dams
Bridges Railroads
Buildings Rivers
Caves/Mines Roads/Trails
Coastal Features Pipelines
Contour Lines Bodies of Water
• Elevations Fences
And this is only a partial list!

10. The most useful
scale for an
orienteering map is:
1:15,000 or 1:10,000
1 inch on the map
Represents 15,000
or 10,000 inches on
the ground)

11. Direction
On most maps, north is at the top, south
to the bottom, east to the right, and west
to the left.
There is a slight difference between the
location of the north pole and that of
magnetic north. This is the variation
angle or declination angle.

12. Magnetic Declination Lines
on an Ungrided Map

13. Colors on Topographic Map
water (lakes, ponds, rivers,
streams, marshes)
rock features (boulders, cliffs),
roads, trails, fences, buildings
forest with little or no undergrowth
that allows for easy passage
vegetation that requires unusual
effort to traverse
open or unforested land
land features, contours, earth
banks, sandy ground

14. Legend
Relief features
of the Earth are
shown in the
margins of
orienteering
maps.

15. Contour Lines
Brown contour
lines represent
valleys, hills, and
plains.
Spacing between
lines represents a
constant vertical
distance; the closer
the intervals, the
greater the slope.

16. When lines are
close together, they
show a steep slope.
Similarly, when they
are far apart, they
show a gentle slope.
Contour interval is
the distance (feet or
meters) between
lines.

17. If the map contour interval is 10 feet,
this hill is approximately 130 feet high.

18. Contour lines indicate
elevation, in feet or
meters, above sea
level.
Contour lines tell
you the ups and
downs of the land.

19. Typical
Magnetic
Compass
Silva Type 3
• A must for orienteering
• Contains protractor in base for reading
magnetic azimuth angles on a map
• Most widely used

20. The orienteering
compass has a
protractor base
and a cord to hang
around the neck
(optional).

21. During orienteering, first obtain the
magnetic azimuth or bearing.
• Place edge of protractor base along
desired line of travel.
• Turn compass housing until
orienteering arrow aligns with
magnetic north reference lines.
• Turn your body until the red end of
magnetic needle aligns with the
orienteering arrow.

22. Distance is Important
in Orienteering to:
• Determine distances between control
points.
• Determine distances actually traveled.

23. Distance on a Map
If a map has a scale of 1:25000, and a
distance of 2 cm were measured on the
map between two locations, then the
actual distance along the ground would
be:
2cm x 250m/cm = 500m on the ground

24. Distance on a Map
Another method is to lay off the
measured distance on the map along
the graphic linear distance scale on
the map. This can then give you the
desired distance along the ground in
feet, meters, miles, or kilometers.

25. Distance on a Map
A third method is to use the map scales
printed along the sides of the compass
protractor base. These are often
standardized to read distances along
the ground directly in feet or meters.

26. In the field, your pace is used to
measure distance. Your pace is the
average length, in meters, of a double
step.

27. To determine your pace, count the
number of double strides you make on
a 600-meter course. This should be
done while both running and walking.

28. Land Navigation Techniques
Several methods of land navigation
techniques may be used. Depending on
the terrain, one of the following methods
may be used:
• The beeline
• The steering mark
• The contour route

29. Beeline
A straight line is followed to the desired
location, by observing terrain features,
without the use of a compass.

30. Steering Mark
Once the bearing (direction of travel) is
determined, travel to easily identifiable
way-points (steering marks), such as
trees, rocks, or houses along the way.

31. Contour Route
If you use a contour line as a trail, you
would be traveling parallel to mean sea
level.
This method is
less tiring and
more accurate
than the beeline
method because
up and down hill
travel is minimized.

32. Aiming Off
In this example, the
orienteer follows an
azimuth slightly to
the right of control
point 3, proceeds to
the stream (the
catch feature), turns
left, and follows the
stream to the
control point.

33. A Catching Feature
• A linear feature that lies beyond the
control (example: a road or fence)
• Passes by, through, or near a control
• "Saves" you if you should miss the
control and go past it

34. Attack Point
• A prominent feature near a control
(100 - 150 meters)
• Used to get you close to a control as
quickly as possible
• Numerous attack points on beginner
courses
• Few attack points on advanced
courses

35. Before You Start
First, stop and look around; then look
closely at your map.
Observe the lay of the land. Find some
fairly distinct feature, or better yet, a
group of features, within view and on
the map.
Can you see any collecting features,
catching features, or handrails that
will help you get to the first control?

36. Handrail
• Any linear feature you can follow to
where you want to go
• Examples: a stream, trail, road, fence,
brick or stone wall

37. Slope
Slope is the steepness of a hill, usually
expressed as a ratio, e.g., 1 to 15 or
1:15, meaning 1 meter of rise for every
15 meters of horizontal distance.

38. Profile
Profile refers to the shape of a hill.
Three general profiles are:
Concave - steeper as it get higher
Convex - steeper at the bottom
Uniform - constant slope from bottom
to top

39. Weather
An important factor in flat country

40. Ground Cover Factors
The effect of ground cover can be
converted to equivalent amounts
of level ground travel by using a
conversion formula.
The formula involves multiplying
the distance by the appropriate
factor in the following list.

41. Types of Cover Factor
Open trail 1
Waist-high grass 1.5
Open forest 2-3
Thick brush 5
Creek-bottom tangles 7-10
This indicates it would take 7-10 times
longer to cover creek-bottom tangles
than it would to jog along an open trail.

42. Rough Orienteering
• Use map to get general idea of objective
(how far it is and where you want to go).
• Proceed at top speed to collecting
features and continue to the control.

43. Fine Orienteering
• Requires slower movement and
continually checking map
• Smaller features used as landmarks
• Slow and inefficient for use for entire
leg of course

44. Speeds of Orienteering
Green light – used for rough orienteering
on the easy parts of a course where a
running pace is possible

45. Speeds of Orienteering
Green light – used for rough orienteering
on the easy parts of a course where a
running pace is possible
Yellow light – a slow jog or
fast walk, being cautious
when approaching a hand-
rail or an attack point

46. Speeds of Orienteering
Green light – used for rough orienteering
on the easy parts of a course where a
running pace is possible
Yellow light – a slow jog or
fast walk, being cautious
when approaching a hand-
rail or an attack point
Red light – a slow walk in order
to use fine orienteering to locate
a control

47. Speeds of Orienteering
All course legs may not lend them-
selves to all three speeds.
Learning when to use which speed
during rough and fine orienteering
comes only through experience.

48. Course Layout Criteria
• A well-wooded area (lots of trees)
• Uninhabited if possible
• Appropriate degree of difficulty for
the orienteers who will be using it
• Good map coverage of suitable scale

49. Course Layout Criteria
Circles are control points.
A triangle indicates the
start.
A double circle indicates
the finish.

50. Control Marker
• Should be visible from
at least 10 meters away
but not more than 50
• Usually attached is a
distinctive punch used
as 'proof' you were at
that control marker

51. Control
Marker

52. Safety Lane
• Usually a linear boundary (a road)
where an orienteer may go in the
event of injury, fatigue, or becoming
lost

53. Orienteering Activities
Cross-country (point-to-point) – the
classic form of orienteering. Controls
on a map must be visited in order.

54. Orienteering Activities
Cross-country (point-to-point) – the
classic form of orienteering. Controls
on a map must be visited in order.
Score-O – Controls are visited in any
order.

55. Orienteering Activities
Cross-country (point-to-point) – the
classic form of orienteering. Controls
on a map must be visited in order.
Score-O – Controls are visited in any
order.
Night-O – a variation on either of the
above conducted from dusk through
dark.

56. Orienteering Activities
Long-O – Courses are 1.5 to 2 times
as long as a standard course, and have
long legs and complex route choices.

57. Orienteering Activities
Long-O – Courses are 1.5 to 2 times
as long as a standard course, and have
long legs and complex route choices.
Relay-O – A variation of point-to-point.
Each team member completes a leg of
a course.

58. Orienteering Activities
Long-O – Courses are 1.5 to 2 times
as long as a standard course, and have
long legs and complex route choices.
Relay-O – A variation of point-to-point.
Each team member completes a leg of
a course.
Memory-O – The first leg of the course
is memorized. After reaching control 1,
the second leg is memorized before
going to control 2.

59. Orienteering Activities
Recently, a new orienteering activity has
been added to the list of "O" activities.
This is:
Trail-O – an orienteering course laid out
specifically for handicapped individuals.
Trails are either on firm ground or paved
paths. Once a control point is reached,
the individual must observe specific land-
scape features and make the most
accurate estimates of distance, time of
travel, height and other required items.

60. Novice Advanced
Control
Descriptions
Clue Sheet

61. The previously shown symbols are
only a few of the many used in the
sport of orienteering. A more
comprehensive listing and their
meanings are available through links
provided at the United States
Orienteering Federation (USOF) Web
site at:
http://www.us.orienteering.org

62. The Orienteering Event Card
Ensure you fill out and punch
your event card as required.

63. The Rules of Orienteering
Like all sports, certain rules must be
followed.
Fairness – a sporting attitude and a spirit
of comradeship and honesty
Nature of orienteering – no outside help;
yet provide appropriate assistance if one
is injured or honestly lost
Environmental protection – take care of
the land you are on, obeying common
sense rules and following posted signs

64. Qualification Requirements for the
NJROTC Orienteering Ribbon
1. You must be a cadet in good standing.
2. Point out and name five major terrain
features on a map and in the field.
3. Point out and name ten symbols often
found on a topographic map.
4. Use a compass effectively.

65. 5. Measure distances on a map using a
straight edge.
6. Explain "descriptive clues," "aiming
off," and "attack point."
7. Determine, by length of pace and
speed, both walking and running,
when a distance of 100 meters has
been covered over various types of
terrain.

66. 8. Successfully complete at least two
3,000- to 4,000-meter cross-country
courses.
After completion of each course, the
NSI will debrief (critique) you on your
results.

67. Subsequent Awards
A star may be awarded for
orienteering participation in
the first and subsequent
years.
A maximum of two awards per year
(including the initial ribbon award) are
authorized.
Different orienteering courses must be
used for subsequent awards.

68. ORIENTEERING
End Of CFM Material