CORE Land Navigation and Orienteering Flashcards

Declination on a compass refers to the difference between:

Answer: Magnetic north and true (geographic) north

Magnetic declination is the angular difference between magnetic north (where the compass needle points) and true geographic north.

A topographic map scale of 1:24,000 means that 1 inch on the map equals how many inches on the ground?

Answer: 24,000 inches

A 1:24,000 scale means one unit on the map equals 24,000 of the same units on the ground.

When triangulating your position with a compass, what is the minimum number of landmarks you need to take bearings on?

Answer: Two

Two back-bearings plotted on a map where they intersect identify your position, though a third is used to confirm accuracy.

Which color on a standard USGS topographic map represents water features such as rivers and lakes?

Answer: Blue

Blue is universally used on USGS topographic maps to represent water features including rivers, lakes, and streams.

A ridge line on a topographic map is identified by contour lines that:

Answer: Form V-shapes pointing toward lower elevation

Ridges are shown by contour lines that form V- or U-shapes with the tip pointing downhill (toward lower elevation).

When navigating in the field, which technique involves keeping a distant landmark aligned with your direction of travel to maintain a straight course?

Answer: Steering by landmark

Steering (or traveling) by landmark means selecting a visible feature in your direction of travel and walking toward it to stay on course.

The 'aiming off' technique in orienteering is used to:

Answer: Deliberately navigate to one side of a destination so you know which way to turn when you hit a catching feature

Aiming off means intentionally navigating to one side of your target so that when you hit a line feature, you know which direction to follow to reach it.