ORIENTEERING

What’s orienteering?

Foot orienteering is an endurance sport which involves a huge mental element. There is no
marked route – the orienteer must navigate with a map and a compass while running.
The map gives detailed information on the terrain such as hills, ground surface, obstacles
etc. To be successful in foot orienteering, the athlete needs excellent map reading skills,
absolute concentration and the ability to make quick decisions on the best route while
running at high speed.

The compass

A compass is a device that shows the cardinal directions used for navigation and geographic
orientation. It commonly consists of a magnetized needle and other elements.

Parts of a compass

There are many types of compasses but modern compasses usually use a magnetized
needle inside a capsule completely filled with a liquid (lamp oil, mineral oil, white spirits,
purified kerosene, or ethyl alcohol are common).
Other features found on modern orienteering compasses are map and scales for measuring
distances and plotting positions on maps, a transparent baseplate containing a
direction-of-travel indicator for use in taking bearings, and a bezel (outer dial) marked in
degrees.

Unit 5 - Orienteering
Physical and Health Education
MYP 4
 Not all compasses include each of these parts and some compasses include even more.

Baseplate hard, flat surface on which the rest of the compass is mounted. It has a
ruler on its edges for measuring distances on maps. It's edge is straight
and useful for laying lines on a map

Scales each edge of a compass may have different rulers for use with different
map scales

Direction-of-Tr marked on the base plate. You point this the way you will be traveling
avel Arrow

Magnifier for seeing small map features better

Index Pointer butt end of the direction-of-travel arrow. It ends right at the edge of the
dial and is where you take degree readings

Dial ring around the housing that has degree markings engraved. You hold
the dial and rotate it to rotate the entire housing

Declination use to orient the compass in an area with known declination

Marks

Orienting marked on the floor of the housing. It rotates with the housing when the
Arrow dial is turned. You use it to orient a compass to a map

Orienting series of parallel lines marked on the floor of the housing and on the
Lines base plate

Needle magnetized piece of metal that has one end painted red to indicate
North. It sits on a fine point that is nearly frictionless so it rotates freely
when the compass is held fairly level and steady

Housing main part of the compass. It is a round plastic container filled with liquid
and has the compass needle inside

Unit 5 - Orienteering
Physical and Health Education
MYP 4
 Bubble a bubble of air in the housing liquid is useful for making sure you are
holding the compass fairly level

Mirror lets you see the compass face and distant objects at the same time.
Useful for emergency signaling

Sight improves aiming your compass at distant objects

How to use a compass

When you need to find your way from one particular place to another, you need to use these
numbers to find out the bearing to that remote place. The direction you are going is called
your heading. Heading and Bearing are pretty much the same thing. Move your body until
the direction-of-travel arrow points at the following items and then turn the dial until "RED is
in the Shed". Then, read the bearing at the Index Pointer.

Unit 5 - Orienteering
Physical and Health Education
MYP 4
 Orienteering in Nature

There are several signs in nature that can help us, just by observing them, to orientate
ourselves when we do not have other elements such as a compass or a map. In this way, in
an extreme situation, we may be able to reach a specific point or a nearby town if we have
some prior knowledge of the area.

Methods of orienteering in nature

Orientation according to the sun is a simple and effective method for finding one's bearings
and moving around in nature. The sun provides us with valuable information about the
direction of the cardinal points and the movement of the earth in relation to the sun.

In order to use the orientation according to the sun, we need to know the following basic
points:

- The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. This means that in the morning, the sun will
be on the eastern horizon, and in the evening, it will be on the western horizon.
- Solar noon occurs when the sun is at its highest point in the sky, just south (in the northern
hemisphere) or north (in the southern hemisphere).
- The shadow we cast changes direction and length during the day, depending on the
position of the sun.

With this information, we can use the following methods to orient ourselves according to the
sun:

- To determine the east-west direction, we observe the position of the sun on the horizon. In
the morning, the sun is in the east, and in the evening, it is in the west. If we are in a place
with a good view of the horizon, we can locate the sun and determine the direction in which
we want to move.
- To determine the position of solar noon, we can use a stick or vertical pole to measure the
length of its shadow at different times of the day. The shadow will be shortest at noon,
allowing us to identify the north-south direction.
- To determine the north-south direction, we can use the position of the sun at noon. If we
draw an imaginary line perpendicular to the direction of the sun at noon, it will give us the
north-south direction. In the northern hemisphere, a shadow in the morning points west. At
noon, the shadow will be on the south side of our object and in the afternoon, the shadow
points east. In the southern hemisphere, it is just the opposite.

Unit 5 - Orienteering
Physical and Health Education
MYP 4
 Nest orientation is a method of orientation and navigation in nature that involves using the
nests of some animals as landmarks to find directions or locate places.
Some animal species build nests that have a specific orientation in relation to the sun, such
as bird nests and bee hives.
To use nest orientation, it is important to know the animal species and its nest-building
behaviour.

Some examples of species and nest orientations are:

- Bee hives have their entrance facing east or southeast so that the morning sun's rays warm
them and allow them to get an early start on their work of collecting nectar and pollen.
- Swallow nests usually face south. This allows the nest entrance to be protected from the
cold north wind and allows them to receive sunlight throughout the day.

It is also important to note that the presence of a nest may indicate the presence of a
valuable resource, such as water or food.

Unit 5 - Orienteering
Physical and Health Education
MYP 4
 Tree orientation is a method of orientation and navigation in nature that involves using the
shape and position of trees to find directions or locate places.

In nature, trees can be used as direction indicators because their growth is influenced by
environmental factors such as sunlight, wind and humidity. For example, trees may lean
towards the sun or the prevailing wind, or they may have denser branches in the northern
part of their canopy to protect them from the cold. It is important to note that this technique
can be useful in forested areas, but is less effective in regions with fewer trees.

Other information to be taken into account is what we find in the stumps of the cut trees:
- The growth rings are further apart towards the south, as this indicates that there has been
more growth because there was more solar radiation and this has allowed that part of the
tree trunk to develop more, and closer together in the northern orientation.

Moss orientation is a method of orientation and navigation in nature that relies on the
presence of moss on tree trunks and on the ground to indicate the cardinal points.

Moss grows in damp and shady environments and is most often found on the north side of
trees, rocks and walls. This is because the north side receives less direct sunlight and
therefore a higher level of humidity, ideal conditions for moss growth.

It is important to note that moss orientation may be useful in wooded and wet areas but may
not be accurate in other areas. In addition, this technique should be used as a complement
to other orientation methods for greater accuracy.

Unit 5 - Orienteering
Physical and Health Education
MYP 4
 Star orientation is a method of orientation and navigation based on the observation of the
position of stars in the night sky. This method has been used for centuries by navigators,
explorers and travellers, and remains a useful tool for those venturing into remote areas
without GPS signal.

To use this method, it is necessary to know the stars and constellations that are visible in the
hemisphere from which the sky is observed.
In the northern hemisphere, for example, the North Star is a good reference for determining
the direction of north, as it is almost exactly at the North Celestial Pole. In addition, there are
other constellations that can be used as reference points for orientation, such as the Big
Dipper or Cassiopeia.
In the southern hemisphere, the Southern Cross is a good reference for determining the
southern direction.

Once the reference star or constellation has been identified, the position of the other cardinal
points can be determined. For example, if the North Star is found, east is to the right, west is
to the left and south is behind.

It is important to note that this method only works in a clear, cloud-free sky and that the
position of the stars changes according to the time of day and the time of year. Therefore, it
is necessary to have a basic knowledge of astronomy and be familiar with the constellations
to be able to use this method effectively.

Orientation by the moon is a method used by indigenous peoples around the world to
determine the direction of north, south, east and west. This method is based on observing
the way the crescent moon points towards the horizon.

To use this method, the moon must be observed in its crescent or waning phase.
If you are in the northern hemisphere, and you see the Moon in the sky and it is waxing
(D-shaped), its points point east. If the Moon is waning (C-shaped) its points point west.

It is important to note that this method can only be used during the crescent phase of the
moon and that the exact position of the points may vary slightly depending on the location
and the hemisphere in which the observer is located.

Unit 5 - Orienteering
Physical and Health Education
MYP 4
 Mountain face orientation is a method used to determine position and direction on a
mountain. It is also essential for mountaineers and climbers to identify the best climbing
routes and to plan their routes and strategies.

To determine the orientation of a mountain, one must look at the different faces or sides of
the mountain. Considering that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, the east-facing
side of the mountain will receive the sun's rays in the morning, while the west-facing side will
receive them in the afternoon.

The orientation of the mountain can also influence temperatures and weather conditions.
South-facing (sunny) slopes have less vegetation.
North-facing (shady) slopes, for example, are often cooler and wetter due to less exposure
to the sun's rays. It is usually home to the largest forest mass. If the mountain has a glacier,
orientation can be crucial in predicting how the sun will affect the melting and movement of
ice. Therefore, knowing the orientation of the mountain faces can be critical to the safety and
planning of various activities, especially on mountains with extreme weather conditions and
dangerous areas.

Unit 5 - Orienteering
Physical and Health Education
MYP 4
 Orienteering race

There is a wide variety of orienteering events: individual competitions and relays, ultra-short
park races and mountain marathon events. Night orienteering with the aid of a head lamp is
also a popular form of orienteering.

Every year, the best foot orienteers in the world fight for the World Champion titles and the
World Cup victory.

Foot orienteering became a recognised Olympic sport in 1977.

Equipment in Orienteering races

- RACING SUIT: A lightweight, stretchy suit protects from undergrowth whilst allowing
maximum freedom of movement even if it gets soaking wet.
- SHOES: Light, strong shoes with non-slip soles allow sure grip on all types of ground –
including mud and bare rock.
- MAP: The map provided by the organiser shows the course with the control points
which must be visited. The map is designed to give detailed information on the terrain –
hills, ground surface, and features such as boulders or cliffs.
- COMPASS: There is a wide variety of sophisticated compasses to choose from.
Basically they can be divided into two main categories: base plate and thumb
compasses. Baseplate is the one we normally use in class.
- CONTROL CARD: To prove that they have visited all control points in the right order,
the orienteers have to punch their control card at each control using an electronic
device.

Unit 5 - Orienteering
Physical and Health Education
MYP 4
 Maps

Orienteering maps are incredibly detailed maps representing the terrain. Have a look at the
sample below, for what types of information is normally located on an orienteering map.

Map Scale
Orienteering maps are created from the perspective of a person walking or running and
therefore are usually large scale maps. This means the map details are large as compared
to topographic maps, which are typically 1:25,000 or 1:50,000. Scale refers to size of the real
world and how it is represented on the map. For example on a 1:7500 map, one unit on the
map represented 7500 units in actual size. (i.e. 1 cm on a map is equal to 7500 cm in real
life). To ensure visibility of map symbols of point feature, such as rocks, pits etc, these
symbols may be exaggerated in size to make them more easily legible.

Unit 5 - Orienteering
Physical and Health Education
MYP 4