COE Navigation & Orienteering 2 â Questions and Answers
Question 1: When taking a bearing with a baseplate compass, which part of the compass should point toward your destination?
- The compass housing
- The direction-of-travel arrow (Correct answer)
- The red end of the magnetic needle
- The declination adjustment scale
Correct answer: The direction-of-travel arrow
The direction-of-travel arrow on the baseplate is aimed at your destination when taking a bearing, establishing the line of travel.
Question 2: When magnetic declination is east of true north, how do you convert a map bearing to a compass bearing for field use?
- Add the declination value to the map bearing
- Subtract the declination value from the map bearing (Correct answer)
- Multiply the bearing by the declination value
- No adjustment is needed for eastern declination
Correct answer: Subtract the declination value from the map bearing
When declination is east, you subtract its value from the map bearing to obtain the correct magnetic compass bearing; the memory aid is 'East is least.'
Question 3: What is the purpose of taking a back bearing during navigation?
- Measuring the slope angle behind you
- Confirming your direction by sighting back along the path already traveled (Correct answer)
- Determining where the sun will set
- Calculating the distance to your starting point
Correct answer: Confirming your direction by sighting back along the path already traveled
A back bearing (180° opposite the forward bearing) lets you verify your line of travel and identify where you came from, confirming you are on the correct route.
Question 4: Which navigation technique estimates your current position based on a known starting point, direction of travel, and distance covered?
- Triangulation
- Dead reckoning (Correct answer)
- Terrain association
- Resection
Correct answer: Dead reckoning
Dead reckoning continuously updates your estimated position by tracking starting location, compass bearing, and distance traveled without relying on external landmarks.
Question 5: In terrain association navigation, which method best confirms your location?
- Noting the color and species of local vegetation
- Matching a distinctive combination of surrounding terrain features to the map (Correct answer)
- Checking the time of day against sunrise/sunset tables
- Observing the predominant wind direction
Correct answer: Matching a distinctive combination of surrounding terrain features to the map
Terrain association involves recognizing and matching identifiable ground featuresâridge lines, valleys, stream confluencesâto their representations on the map to confirm position.
Question 6: What does 'boxing around' an obstacle mean in navigation?
- Marking a hazard on the map with a symbol
- Making a series of 90° turns to detour around an obstacle while returning to the original bearing line (Correct answer)
- Building a shelter to wait out a storm
- Securing gear in waterproof containers near a water obstacle
Correct answer: Making a series of 90° turns to detour around an obstacle while returning to the original bearing line
Boxing involves making four 90° turnsâright, forward, left, forwardâto travel around an impassable feature and resume the original line of travel.
Question 7: How does a saddle (col) appear on a topographic map?
- As a closed circle of contour lines indicating a summit
- As two high points connected by an hourglass pattern where contour lines curve inward (Correct answer)
- As a series of tightly parallel lines indicating a vertical cliff
- As a V-shaped contour line pointing downhill
Correct answer: As two high points connected by an hourglass pattern where contour lines curve inward
A saddle appears as two high-point contour clusters connected at a low point, creating an hourglass or figure-eight pattern where lines curve toward each other between the peaks.
COE Navigation & Orienteering 2
When taking a bearing with a baseplate compass, which part of the compass should point toward your destination?