Orienteering is a sport in which you make your way from point to point through the woods using a compass and map. A detailed topographic map shows where the points, known as controls, are located in the woods. The goal of orienteering is to find the controls in the order indicated on your map. While using a compass is not required, it is certainly beneficial to help you find your way.
Compass and Map
The topographic maps used for orienteering show contours, vegetation types, water features, trails, roads and other man-made elements. Maps also include lines indicating magnetic north. You can use these lines in conjunction with your compass to calculate a straight line and the shortest distance from where you are to where you want to go, but in orienteering the shortest route is not always the best choice.
Parts of a Compass
The typical orienteering compass contains a rotating housing mounted to a base plate. Inside the housing is the magnetic needle that always points to magnetic north. The base plate shows a direction of travel arrow that helps you set your course. The bottom of the housing shows an orienting arrow and lines that help you properly align the compass to the magnetic north lines printed on the map. Orienteering compasses are typically made with Plexiglas or other clear, durable material, allowing you to see through them.
Compass Use
Place your compass on the map. Align your current location on the map and the point to which you want to travel along the base plate of your compass. With those two points aligned to the base plate, rotate the housing so that the indicator lines on the bottom of your compass line up with the magnetic north indicator lines printed on the map.
Take a Bearing
Holding the compass level and in front of you, turn your whole body until the floating, magnetic-north needle lines up with the indicator needle on the bottom of the housing. You are now facing the direction you want to travel. Use the direction of travel arrow on the base plate to sight a feature straight ahead of you and move toward it.
Other Considerations
When orienteering, it also is important to understand the features shown on the map. Obstacles such as rivers, ravines or thickets might exist between you and the next control, and you will not be able to always quickly and safely travel a straight line from one control to the next.
Thumb Compass
Some orienteers prefer to use a thumb compass, which is smaller than a base plate model and physically attaches to the thumb of the hand in which you hold the map. The advantage of a thumb compass is that the compass and map always are in contact with each other, making them easier to read as a unit. The disadvantage is that the bearing you set might not be as accurate. Which one you choose is a matter of personal preference. Orienteering championships have been won using both types.
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