Orienteering Orientation Trivia Quiz

Answer: Declination

Declination is the term for this angular difference, although in some places, the bearing to the magnetic and geographic poles line up and the difference is zero. The north magnetic pole is located in northern Canada, while the geographic pole is where all the lines of longitude come together at 90 degrees north latitude.

The magnetic pole moves ever so slightly, causing small annual changes in the local declination.

Answer: Deviation

A close-by magnetic field attracts the compass needle, which is itself magnetized, deviating it away from pointing at the earth's magnetic pole: this error is thus known as deviation. Ferrous metals - iron, steel - and electronics like wristwatches and the various "smart" devices are the usual causes of deviation when orienteering. Also beware of bolts, nails and the framework of any table you use to calculate your course before you hit the trail.

Answer: Direction of travel arrow

The direction of travel (DoT) arrow is usually very prominent running down the center of the the base of an orienteering compass, parallel to the long edge of the base. You point the DoT arrow at an object, then rotate the compass to line "000" with the compass needle to read the magnetic bearing to the object.

Answer: Degrees

The compass dial is circular, so is best described as comprising 360 degrees. One of the first things you should do when you pick up your compass is determine how many degrees are indicated by each mark on the compass ring. Due to the small size of most compasses, the usual marking is every two degrees, with longer or bolder marks every 10 degrees. North is 0 degrees, East is 90, South is 180 and West is 270 degrees.

Answer: Neck lanyard

The neck lanyard is the most common attachment, keeping the compass readily available and able to be raised to eye level to take a bearing or laid on a map to calculate a course. A wrist strap would work, but the compass couldn't be easily used with a map.

A safety pin would likely be made of steel and so would introduce deviation, and a compass on a head strap couldn't be read by the wearer.

Answer: Topographic

Topographic maps show land elevation by using contour lines that represent an equal elevation above a reference, usually sea level. The elevation difference between contour lines is indicated on each map, and is one of the first things you need to determine when using one. Contour lines that are close together indicate a steeper area such as a cliff or prominent hill or ridge. Water courses are indicated by "v"-shaped contour lines with the "v" pointing upstream.

Answer: Universal Transverse Mercator

UTM, or Universal Transverse Mercator, divides the earth into 60 numbered zones of 6 degrees of longitude each, with lettered latitude bands defined in each zone to indicate grid squares. For instance, a location near Toronto, Canada would be in the "17T" grid zone. Positions within that grid are then defined with reference to a defined point in the grid, usually the central meridian.

Answer: Resection

Intersection was used by early map makers who worked from a known point and took bearings to establish the position of a previously unknown object such as a mountain peak. The reverse of intersection is Resection. Objects on a topographic map are accurately plotted and you can use resection to take and plot bearings to two or more of them to establish your position if you get lost.

Answer: US Geological Survey (USGS)

The US Geological Survey (USGS) is an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior. The detailed 15- and 7.5 minute topographic map sheets show the natural and man-made features of the entire U.S. These maps can be purchased at outdoor outfitters or can be downloaded for free from their web site and printed at home.

The purchased maps are larger and easier to work with than those printed at home on standard sized paper.

Answer: Pace count

An essential and basic preparation for orienteering is determining the average length of your pace, both walking and running. This is done by measuring how much distance you cover taking a certain number of steps, then dividing the distance by the number of steps. Your pace distance is different not only when walking and running, but on different types of terrain, so it's a good practice to check your pace length frequently.

When running an orienteering course, you first use your map and compass to determine the course and distance between waypoints. On the course, you use your compass to stay on course and count the number of paces you take to determine how far you've traveled.