Turning the map to find the flag

In the picture

1. 1Map turned to match the land: contour lines and stream line up with the real slope and stream
2. 2Compass resting flat on the map: its needle shows north so you can set the map right
3. 3Stream: a landmark you can see both on the map and in front of you
4. 4Checkpoint flag by a boulder: the goal you reach by following the map off the path

Examples

• Turning the map a quarter turn when the path bends to the right, so the stream is still on the correct side.
• Checking that a hill on the map is on your left, just like the real hill, before you leave the trail.

Quiz: Turning the map to find the flag (Age 12)

1. 1

   When should you turn the map while orienteering?

   • Only once, at the start of the course
   • Only when you reach a checkpoint
   • Every time you change direction, so it keeps matching the land
2. 2

   Before you leave the path to look for your checkpoint, what should you do?

   • Memorise every bend of the path so you can return to it
   • Check that features on the map, like a stream, match what you can see around you
   • Head straight toward where you guess the flag is and fix mistakes later
3. 3

   What is the compass for when you rest it flat on the map?

   • Its needle points straight at the checkpoint
   • Its needle shows north, so you can set the map the right way
   • It measures how far away the flag is

The answers, each with its explanation, are in the app. This lesson has left the free week, so its quiz is part of the subscription.