There can be many cases when it is necessary to determine location. Unforeseen situations can take anyone by surprise: lost in the forest, a car breaks down in an unfamiliar area, the navigator is out of order. There may simply not be a local resident nearby or a much-needed gadget that would show the way in the right direction. From the ability and skills of orienteering , Perhaps, both the success of completing a certain task and human life itself will depend.

Unfamiliar terrain, various conditions associated with combat operations - this is a reality in which it is necessary to get out of a dangerous situation and, quite possibly, survive yourself or save another person. Achieving the goal in this case can be ensured by being able to determine the sides of the horizon and your actual location. This knowledge will help you find the right direction of movement, as well as navigate the terrain.

Main types of orienteering

• General. The location is determined approximately, as is the time spent to reach the desired destination. It is carried out using a compiled list of settlements and/or other landmarks along the route, without having a map. Movement most often occurs by car and the accuracy of the direction is maintained by time, distance (using a speedometer) and control of the passed objects indicated in the list.
• Detailed. The location and direction of movement can be determined more accurately. Such terrain orientation is used with the help of a map, aerial photographs, ground aviation instruments, as well as for a schematic representation of explored objects and for movement in azimuth.

• Reading a map - understanding and understanding what is meant by symbols and signs.
• Identifying local landmarks and comparing them with a map (or vice versa).
• Using a compass to determine the direction of movement, landmarks, and to work with a map.
• Measuring distances on the map and on the ground.

Methods of orientation

• Using a card– requires certain knowledge, skills and training.
• By compass- a simpler method, but with its help you can only determine the sides of the horizon.
• Without map and compass– does not require any tools or available means (the cardinal directions are determined based on the characteristics of natural and local residential objects, as well as celestial bodies).

The most reliable method can be considered the last one, since you don’t need any maps or other navigation elements. But the most accurate method is using a map. However, it is better to stock up on what you need in advance. Alternatively, you can purchase entire sets:

Darkness and night navigation

In various conditions that create certain difficulties for a person, it becomes more difficult to navigate the terrain. For example, when you have to move at night, objects that will help determine your location turn out to be difficult to distinguish. Also, the distances seem too greater than they really are.

Night orienteering requires careful preparation: first, local objects are placed on the route map, projected against the backdrop of the starry sky and located exactly along the route. Such control landmarks must be applied quite often - every 3-6 km.

When driving at night, use a compass and a map with a pre-divided small areas route and magnetic azimuths plotted for each straight segment. The route is studied in advance and all the planned objects are remembered as accurately as possible in order to look at the map as little as possible.

For night navigation, a flashlight with a blue filter is useful - to illuminate the map without blinding your eyes, but to continue to observe the area at the same time.

You can do without a map and use the Moon or constellation as a guide. But here you should be careful and take into account that all celestial objects, except the North Star, move across the sky. If you navigate by the Moon, then every hour the route will deviate 15º to the right, since the Moon moves clockwise by so many degrees every hour. More trained and equipped specialists can use night vision devices to make the task easier.

Difficulties in orienteering in the mountains

Conditions of limited visibility, which include fog, smoke, snowfall, blizzard, rain, high dust content in the air, and smog, also make navigation difficult. In such cases, movement along the route is carried out as at night, only radio communication and night vision devices may be subject to various interferences. Dust particles, snow, and sand, when moving at high speed, can cause electrification of antennas, which reduces the capabilities of such devices.

Methods of orientation, based on different types of terrain, have their own characteristics.

In the mountains it is not always possible to use a compass, since areas with magnetic anomalies are often found. Knowledge of orientation based on local natural features will come in handy here:

• the stones are covered with moss and lichens mainly on the north side;
• the soil near the stones is drier on the south side (in summer);
• On the southern slopes pine and oak are more common, on the northern slopes - beech and spruce.

Landmarks in mountainous areas are the highest peaks, rocks, cliffs, as well as bridges and any buildings that are easily recognized. Movement in the mountains occurs along paths, along rivers or streams, through passes. To navigate such terrain, it is necessary to study the terrain, remember as best as possible where the ridges, valleys, and highest peaks are located.

Sands and orienteering in the desert

In desert areas there are many times fewer local landmarks than in other regions. The nearest bodies of water, wells, roads or trails may be quite far away. But the positive side is the absence of cloudy weather. In such conditions, you will most likely have to navigate by the Sun, stars and Moon.

Advice: before going to bed, you should lay out the direction of your movement in the form of an arrow. To prevent such marks from being carried by the wind, it is better to make them from stones, shoes or other suitable objects.

You can also navigate the terrain by following the tracks of animals (for example, camels), caravan routes (if there are remains of equipment, traces of fires), and the shapes of dunes and dunes (if you have knowledge of the prevailing winds).

Don't forget about mirages. This deceptive phenomenon occurs in the desert mainly at noon and can seriously harm a person by leading him astray.

Orientation in the locality

It is often difficult to navigate the terrain in a large populated area. And all because the review is limited. Here it is necessary to determine the route in such a way as to minimize the number of turns. It is better to choose the latter where there is an easily identifiable object: a bridge, park, church, industrial enterprise or any tall building.

The most difficult areas to navigate, even with a map, are the destroyed areas. Here it is better to use navigation equipment, aerial photographs (new) and select those landmarks that cannot be destroyed - peaks, ridges, rivers, lakes and other hydrographic objects - they can be compared with the map. Roads and railways are also suitable; their destruction, if any, can be local in nature, which will not interfere with general orientation on the terrain.

In winter, when the terrain is smoothed out due to snow, it is better to use a compass. In this case, the reference points will be roads and railways, rivers, bridges, and populated areas.

Visibility and audibility tables

In the absence of the necessary instruments to determine the distance as accurately as possible, it is important for a person to be able to “estimate by eye” how many meters or kilometers separate him from the corresponding object. The ability to “measure” distance by sound will also help you navigate the terrain, which will also bring you closer to achieving your goal.

The visual method of orientation involves training visual memory. To do this, you need to mentally lay out a segment of 50 m, then 100 and so on up to 500. Having consolidated these skills in memory, in reality it will be quite easy to determine distances.

Worth remembering:

1) large / illuminated / brightly colored objects seem closer than smaller / dimly lit / dark objects, although they are at the same distance;

2) weather phenomena such as rain, fog, twilight, when the air is saturated with dust, the object in question appears further away than in clear sunny weather;

3) on a plain, objects seem closer, and on a hilly surface - further;

4) in a lying position, objects seem closer than in a standing position;

5) hide the distance of a huge expanse of water, different folds terrain, the position of the sun behind the observer;

6) looking from the bottom up, objects seem further away than from the top.

In this paragraph you will get acquainted with another group of landmarks - areal ones.

Area landmarks will include terrain objects that are based on area. Examples of area landmarks are clearings, arable land, thickets, swamps, etc.

Area objects can also be used as anchors. After all, any area landmark is limited by a line. We say: “Let’s walk along the edge of the forest to the well.” This phrase is one example of the use of area objects in orientation. In paragraph 3 we were introduced to another use of an area landmark. Forest Lake should have stopped us when moving in azimuth.

A landmark that can be noticed even when deviating from the azimuth, which can “stop” us in time, we will call it braking.

Area and linear landmarks are usually good braking landmarks.

The edge of an area landmark cannot always be considered linear. It often happens that it is impossible to determine the boundary between different types of vegetation. For example, individual pines appear in a birch grove, then there are more of them, and the grove smoothly turns into a pine forest. The clear outline sign, studied in the previous paragraph, is used when the boundary is clearly visible. If the transition is smooth, then the clear outline sign is not used between map sections that are colored differently.

Let us tell you in more detail about the symbols shown in the figure.

It’s not hard to imagine what a clearing, lake and paved area look like. The sign of a populated area can indicate a holiday village, a holiday home, city blocks, etc. A difficult forest can make it difficult for you to move. A forest traversable in one direction consists of trees growing in orderly rows. It is easy to run along the “alleys” and difficult to run across. A clearing is an area of ​​cleared forest. Remaining stumps and tree limbs can also make movement difficult.

Among the listed signs there is no ordinary, passable forest. This is no coincidence. Such a forest is indicated in white on the sports map.

Unlike a sports map, on a topographic map, clearings and open spaces are indicated in white, and forests are indicated in green.

Tasks for independent work.

• Plan to start in the center of the map in such a place that there are areas with different cross-country ability in different directions. Place the gearbox in a circle at the same distance from the start. Record your travel time to each checkpoint and back. Compare the speed of passage.
• Run in azimuth through area landmarks. Draw colors on a piece of paper that correspond to the types of landmarks.
• Written by Alexey Abramov

To navigate by plants, you just need to pay attention to the details, and then you won’t be afraid of getting lost in the forest, because with the help of plants and animals you can find your bearings and continue on your way.

Moss

A landmark such as moss is one of the most common among forest markers. Carefully inspect and even feel the moss, even if it has just rained and the entire object is covered with moss, be it a huge cobblestone or a tree trunk, on the north side the moss thicket will be denser and also more moist. This becomes especially obvious if you examine the bottom of the plant. The same applies to stones, boulders, destroyed and fallen trees, covered with thickets of moss.

Bark

If you get lost, say, in a clearing, then pay attention to the bark of growing trees; on the south side it will be lighter, drier and warmer. It is on this side that the resin secreted by the tree is located. A birch tree will be a particularly good reference point; by its light bark you can immediately determine that where it is lighter is on the south side, and its slope will help you understand the direction of the wind.

If you are lost in a pine forest, look closely at the bark of the pine trees; where a layer of dark, cracking bark has formed is north. If it rains, the pine trunk will darken on the north side. Due to insufficient sunlight, this side of the tree will take the longest to dry, which will help you understand the location of the north side of the horizon.

But not only trunks can help you navigate. If in front of you there is only a cut down stump, take a closer look at the rings, in places where the distance between them is greatest to the south, and, accordingly, where such a distance is minimal to the north.

Grass

If there are no trees, stumps or boulders with moss nearby, grass will help you navigate the area. In spring, there will be more grass on the northern side of the clearing, where it will grow noticeably thicker than on the southern side.

How to navigate by animals

Not all forests have a lot of living creatures, in any case you need to watch their tracks, in this case they can lead to their house and determine the southern side of the horizon, since it is on this side that heat-loving animals most often build their homes.

You can navigate by birds, for example, it is a well-known fact that in the spring migratory birds fly north, but in the fall they fly south. Some birds, such as turtle doves, quails, short-eared owls and waders, migrate only at special times. If you see a flock of these feathered inhabitants of the wild, it means the wind is blowing from the south.

If there are no migratory birds nearby, look for bird houses, for example, swallows nest only on the north side, but owls, woodpeckers and some other birds build nests in the south.

In the event that you are not in a forest-steppe zone, terrain navigation with the help of birds can also be useful to you. Only here is it worth paying attention to the sounds; during the fog, the birds’ cry intensifies? This means the coast is nearby.

How to navigate by insects

You can also navigate the terrain with the help of insects, because they also do not move chaotically, but according to various rules and, by watching them, you can find out which side of the horizon is which. For example, ants build their houses on the southern side of forests, because it is warmer there, the sun shines much better and contributes to their favorable existence. You can read more about this on our website.

Insects

Important! On the south side the anthill is flat, but on the north side it is steep!

But you can determine the sides of the horizon not only with the help of ants. Wild bees also build their hive on the south side. Carefully examine the trees, stones, boulders; if you find a bee house somewhere, it means it is on the south side.

Important! When bees fly from the hive, most often they do so in the south direction!

Butterflies are also forest guides; by them you can determine north, south, west, east. If the butterfly stays in one place for too long, take a closer look at its wings; at 12:00 they are directed to the south, and in the evening they are turned to the west. But in the morning her wings look east.

Municipal budgetary institution

additional education "Center for additional education"

Tonkino settlement, Nizhny Novgorod region

Methodological development section

additional educational program

creative association

"Orienteering" on the topic:

Sports

orientation

on the ground.

Completed:

additional teacher

education of the Central Children's Education Center of the r.p. Tonkino

Gruzdev A.K.

Tonkino

2019

Content:

Goals and objectives.

Explanatory note.

Expected results.

Master class "Health Day Scenario" on orienteering.

Conclusion.

Bibliography.

Goals and objectives.

Target: Formation of a comprehensively developed personality through orienteering, tourism, and local history.

Tasks:

Expanding and deepening the knowledge of students, complementing the school curriculum in geography, history, biology, life safety, literature and physical training;

Acquiring skills and abilities in working with a map and compass;

Acquisition of special knowledge on issues of tourism and orienteering, pre-medical care;

Ensuring survival in extreme conditions, familiarization with environmental issues and nature conservation.

Ability to behave in a team, development.

Explanatory note.

School tourism is based on fundamental, timeless principles of education and upbringing: humane-democratic, creatively developing, personality-oriented, creative and active. In the structure of any educational program, tourism can be used as an effective form of education. Tourism and orienteering help students master academic disciplines in the basics of various sciences.

Tourism and local history are one of the priority areas in educational work. This is not a new thing, but the novelty lies in the fact that it has a broader pedagogical idea in terms of nurturing spirituality, physical endurance, respect and love for the nature of one’s homeland.

The success of any hike, excursion or journey largely depends on how well the traveler is able to determine where he is and in which direction he should go next, i.e. from the ability to navigate the terrain.

The ability to navigate the terrain is acquired in constant communication with nature, thanks to the development of observation and the habit of quickly noticing and remembering the characteristic details of the area.

Tourism is not only a means of physical and applied education. The role of tourism in the ideological, political and military-patriotic education of students is great. It instills in the younger generation a sense of patriotism, respect for the natural and cultural heritage of their native land, and improvement of the moral and physical education of the individual.

School tourism allows the teacher to carry out almost all types of professional activities: educational and educational, scientific - methodological, social - pedagogical, cultural - educational, etc. Hiking and orienteering classes in unfamiliar terrain allow schoolchildren to study the processes and results of the interaction between nature and society.

One cannot underestimate the fact that children and especially adolescence characterized by a desire for novelty, unusualness, adventure and romance. Tourism is an excellent means that naturally satisfies children’s needs that are not always taken into account by adults. We also need to remember that on a hike, children reveal a completely different side than at school. In this regard, the trip is especially valuable for the teacher, as it allows you to better understand the nature of each of the children and find your own approach to it. The contacts that are established between adults and children on a hike are, as a rule, much deeper and more soulful than at school. They foster genuine mutual understanding and collaborative relationships that then carry over into the school environment.

Expected results.

Application of knowledge on orienteering in creative associations of sports orientation.

Expanding knowledge, skills and abilities in this area by students and teachers

Participation in competitions and exhibitions

Know:

Organizational procedures and rules of conduct during hikes and competitions;

Tourism and environmental issues;

Fundamentals of topography and orientation;

Ability to navigate by local signs and stars;

Dangerous and poisonous plants of the region, have an idea of ​​self-control and pre-medical care;

The procedure for organizing, preparing and conducting excursions and trips;

Ways to overcome various natural obstacles;

Methods of organizing and conducting search and rescue operations;

Basic historical and geographical information about the native land;

Be able to:

Move along roads and trails as part of a group;

Overcome natural obstacles along the way together;

Use a compass and map to navigate during a hike and at an orienteering competition;

Organize camp life and provide basic medical care;

School tourism with elements of orienteering allows students to achieve success not only in mastering the program of this course, but also to develop their mental, intellectual and physical potential. Tourism and orienteering provide an opportunity to feel love for your small homeland, take care of nature, promote environmental culture and lead an active lifestyle, exploring the world around you. Between tourism and local history there is complete practical contact and unity of goals, in which, in the conditions of their native land, tourists often become local historians, and local historians tourists. Tourism greatly contributes to educational research in local history, and local history turns to tourism as one of the very popular and pedagogically valuable forms. The successes achieved in competitions will help the children quickly decide on the choice of their future profession, and joint trips and excursions will teach them communication skills and humanity.

Basics of orienteering.

Orienteering is a relatively young sport in our country, however, it already has its faithful admirers of almost all ages.

Keyword in the name of the species “orienteering” makes the uninitiated think of measured, leisurely work with a map in the lap of nature. In reality, this is a fast-paced type of cross-country racing on unfamiliar terrain, associated with a certain physical and emotional stress.

Orienteering is a competition in overcoming terrain with a compass and a route map from a sequence of control points (CP) and with the choice of the most rational routes between them. The tasks that the distance poses for athletes require from them not only high physical fitness, the ability to overcome natural obstacles and endure any weather conditions, but also accurate and quick thinking.

Close contact with environment is an element of environmental education. All this allows us to call orienteering an intellectual sport. .

This sport has important practical significance, instilling qualities that are difficult to develop in ordinary practical classes in topography. It can be recommended for study starting from elementary school, for example, as one of the sections of life safety, as well as for educational institutions that train specialists who need map reading and terrain navigation skills (forestry, mining, land management, etc.) . The ability to navigate the terrain is the most important factor for successfully completing a tourist route.

Orienteering competition

As a rule, the program of tourist rallies and competitions for students includes orienteering competitions - the best remedy training and testing of terrain orientation skills.

In accordance with the “Rules of Orienteering Competitions,” competitions are divided into the following types: orienteering in a given direction, orienteering on a marked route, orienteering by choice.

Orientation in a given direction

Orientation in a given direction consists of passing checkpoints (CPs) marked on the map and located on the ground in a given order. The team chooses the path from one checkpoint to another at its own discretion. The team's result is determined by the time spent completing the distance. If a team violates the order of passing a checkpoint or does not visit any checkpoint, then the result is not counted for it.

Distances in a given direction must be planned so that the team’s result equally depends on its physical fitness and ability to navigate. Between checkpoints there should be several options for movement: along paths and paths, directly in azimuth, combined. The length of the distance is measured on the map with a ruler from the start through the checkpoint to the finish along the shortest path, and the terrain is not taken into account.

The start in competitions in a given direction is usually done separately, with an interval of 5 - 10 minutes.

To mark the passage of a checkpoint, composters are used, as well as colored pencils hanging on the checkpoint, with which the team makes a mark on its card or map.

Orientation on a marked route

Orienteering on a marked route is carried out, as a rule, in winter, although it can also be used in the program of summer tourist competitions.

The team at the start receives a map with the starting point marked. Moving along the marked distance, the team meets a control point on its way, the location of which it must indicate with a pin on the map. The puncture must be made before leaving the next checkpoint and crossed out crosswise with a colored pencil hanging on this checkpoint.

The team's result is determined by the time spent covering the distance plus a penalty for incorrectly applying a CP. For every two millimeters of error in marking the location of the control gear, a penalty is given: 1 minute for an error from 2 to 4 mm, 2 minutes for an error from 4 to 6 mm, 3 minutes for more than 6 mm. At each checkpoint, the first 2 mm errors are not penalized. The maximum penalty that can be imposed for an error in applying one CP is 5 minutes.

The competition distance on a marked course is planned so that the team is in constant tension, constantly comparing the map and the terrain. But at the same time, the team must be able to determine the location of the checkpoint without leaving the track.

The start in competitions on a marked course is usually given separately, with an interval of 5 minutes. The team is given a map 1 minute before the start so that they have time to attach it to the tablet.

Orientation by choice

Orienteering by choice is the most acceptable type of orienteering at tourist competitions, where a large number of participants with different levels of training start.

Unlike competitions in a given direction, orienteering by choice gives the team greater freedom of action. After all, the competition distance in a given direction, where the team has not yet found the first checkpoint, cannot follow further, as well as the marked route is set by the head of the distance based on a certain degree of preparation, which many participants in tourist rallies do not have. Therefore, these distances are either too difficult for beginners (they do not serve training purposes), or are too simple for guys who have already participated in such competitions. Unlike a given direction, in optional orienteering it is no longer the head of the course, but the team that plans the distance according to its own strengths. A fine for exceeding the control time has a very great effect, which does not allow the team to be late for the finish, and keeps the unprepared team in the start-finish area. As a result, in selective competitions it is very rare to have to look for lost participants, as often happens in competitions in a given direction. Another attractive thing is that selection competitions usually take little time and the calculation of results is easier.

The rules of orienteering competitions define several types of optional competitions. One of them is when a team from a large number of control points installed on the ground must visit a certain number, for example, five, and its result is determined by the time spent on this.

In the practice of tourist competitions for schoolchildren, there are several more types of elective competitions, which have become traditional and have fully justified themselves. They are as follows. Each team receives a map with checkpoints marked in points. The team must score as many points as possible without exceeding the time limit. For exceeding the time penalty points are deducted from the result - a certain number for each overdue minute. The team with the most points wins.

When planning the competition distance, you can offer several options to choose from. One of them is when the cost of a CP is determined by the difficulty of finding it. The farther the control point is from the start, the more difficult it is to find, the higher it is rated. In this case, it is recommended to place the start and finish in the center of the area so that there are more movement options. All checkpoints have the same score - one (two, three) points each, and the team’s result is determined by the number of checkpoints taken. In this case, the start and finish are separated from each other by a distance not exceeding one kilometer, and along the way from the start, a group of checkpoints should be visible on the map, which is a guide to the finish. A poorly prepared team can immediately move to the finish from the start, while it passes through the mandatory checkpoint located at the beginning of the finishing corridor, that is, it gets the result, since it knows how to navigate within the framework necessary for the tourist.

Since the greatest difficulty in elective competitions is the lack of watches for some participants, the control time must be set within the limits in whichpupilsmore or less oriented. This is, for example, 40 minutes, that is, the duration of the lesson. Guys usually stand this value. If possible, technical means should also be used tonotifying participants about the expiration of the control time. These are megaphones, car horns, etc. Before the start, it is announced when such a signal will be given so that the team can even imagine how much time they have left, even without a watch.

Selective competition distances must meet the following requirements:

It is desirable that not a single team be able to find all the checkpoints within the control time, so a large number of checkpoints are installed on the ground;

the distance must be planned so that there are several equivalent options for the movement of teams.

In this regard, serious requirements are placed on the card. The map of optional competitions must be adjusted over the entire area, and the control point areas must be drawn in particular detail. CPs should be placed on solid landmarks and be visible from a distance of 5-25 meters. It is recommended to place checkpoints at point and small area landmarks - in holes, on hillocks, in small clearings, at the intersection of paths, etc. It is very important that they are visible from all sides to avoid congestion of teams in the control area.

When setting the distance, it is necessary to correctly assess the level of training of the teams. At school or regional competitions, in order to make the task easier for the participants, it is necessary to place the control points on rougher landmarks - not in a small clearing, but on the edge of a large clearing, at a fork in ravines, at a crossroads, etc.

Types of tourist orientation

At tourist rallies, competitions can also be held, consisting of various tasks or exercises in orienteering and topography.

Movement according to legend

Participants are given the task to walk a section of the route according to the description, indicating distances in meters and angular values ​​in azimuths. For example: “From the start, move along a path going at an azimuth of 56°; after walking 400 meters to the intersection, turn into a clearing (azimuth 90°), etc.”

Azimuth route

Participants are tasked with walking a route along segments indicating the azimuth and distance in meters.

Driving along a designated route

Participants receive a map with a marked movement line, moving in accordance with which they pass through checkpoints (pickets) not marked on the map, which serve as confirmation of the correct completion of the task.

The following tasks or exercises and their combinations are also possible: visual assessment of distances; measuring the length of the route according to the legend; laying an azimuthal route; adding clarifications to the map; searching for objects using a map; search for objects at specified azimuths; determining the standing point on the map (referencing); knowledge of topographical signs and others.

The amount of fines is set by the judges depending on the scope of the requirements and must be agreed upon in advance in the competition conditions.

Team night orienteering competition

Night team orienteering competitions, which are held according to the “Control Tourist Route” type, are very popular among children, however, its program does not contain technical stages, and only stages associated with various types of orienteering are included.

Orientation without a map

This is one of the simplest competition systems for junior schoolchildren that can be included in the program of a tourist rally. The goal of the competition is to teach the child to compare the real area with its conventional image on the map and thus determine their location. At the same time, competition participants do not use maps and do not carry compasses or special tablets.

Competitions are held only on marked tracks. This is explained, first of all, by safety requirements due to the low qualifications of the participants and their lack of certain skills. Depending on the type of competition (individual, individual-team), a draw is carried out and the starting order is determined. As a rule, one distance is prepared with a separate start. Serial bib numbers do not have much meaning. The main thing is that the card, and this is the only item that the teams will have at the distance, is filled out correctly. Therefore, cards and a sample of how to fill them out, as well as the conditions of the event and symbols must be given to each team representative in advance.

What is the task of the teams? Moving along the marked route, she meets a checkpoint on her way. On a rope stretched across the movement, there are signs (30x30), which depict the serial number of the checkpoint (1,2,3) and three fragments of the map (A, B, C). The fragments are images of three different situations of the location of this checkpoint. In the absence of any cartographic material, fragments are prepared in advance as follows. With the help of topographic signs or simple signs for orienteering, a person more or less familiar with orienteering uses colored pens to depict on an approximate scale the location of the checkpoint and the adjacent landmarks. One fragment reflects the actual picture, and the other two represent conditional situations. Each control center is additionally equipped with one copy of the symbols in case the participant needs a “hint,” as well as several pencils of the same color. It is best to fasten pencils and signs not on a rope, but on a single-core wire, so that it is easier to rotate them in different directions and so that they do not get tangled during work.

The team arriving at the control point must visually assess on the spot the situation in which it is located, select the correct one from the proposed options, and write in the the desired letter(A, B, C) in the corresponding cell of your card.

The winner is the team that covers the proposed distance faster and gives as many correct answers as possible. For each incorrect answer, the team receives a 2-minute penalty, which is added to the running time. A team receives the same penalty for missing a mark on the card, for an extra mark, and for a mark that does not match the color of the control pencil.

According to this methodological development, it is possible to carry out sports and educational activities in any school in any locality, you can start from the area closest to the school, as is presented in this methodological development. Also, the event can be moved to places where historical sights and architectural monuments are most concentrated, this will help students better study and get to know their small homeland and quickly navigate it.

The route can be constructed in different ways. In this development method, it is possible to follow a route on a map or map diagram, completing tasks at stages, and introducing control time. The options can be very diverse, it all depends on the imagination and ingenuity of the organizers.

Holding a tourist rally is the most common form of organizing children's leisure time. It always arouses great interest among children if it is organized correctly, interestingly and meaningfully.

Another attractive aspect is the comparative simplicity of organizing mass competitions, for which it is not necessary to have gyms, grounds and stadiums, expensive equipment and inventory.

Orienteering is one of the few types , where competition participants act individually, out of sight of coaches, judges, spectators, even rivals. Therefore, to achieve the goal, good psychological preparation, perseverance, determination, courage, and self-control are necessary. There are two main components in the technical training of an orienteer: orienteering techniques (working with a map and compass) and terrain movement techniques.

Organization of orienteering competitions

Selecting the competition area and preparing the circulation of sports cards for the competition, populated areas of the area (map attached), parks and recreation areas located near the educational institution are selected. Areas of mass competitions must meet certain conditions (an area of ​​at least 2 km, good landmarks limiting the competition area, the absence of dangerous places, sufficient cross-country ability, the presence of shelters from bad weather in the start-finish area).

One of the important stages in the preparation of mass competitions is the preparation of sports cards. As a rule, a reminder is printed on the cards in the form of a table of symbols (Appendix No. 2), which makes them easier to study and helps when passing the distance of the qualifying competition. For student competitions, it is recommended to use multi-color cards and only in their absence to resort to black and white ones made using photography.

Equipment for the course and competition center. To equip the competition center and courses, 3-4 people are involved who have experience working as course directors at orienteering competitions. The most important thing in the work of the distance service is planning the route, in which you should not get carried away with setting up complex checkpoints, but you should not allow the competition to turn into a cross-country race on the roads.

If the terrain features do not allow these parameters to be maintained, small deviations towards decreasing the length of the distance while simultaneously increasing the number of control points are permissible.

To prepare the distance in accordance with the recommended parameters, it is advisable to place the control points so that the average distance between them is about 500 m. This corresponds to their placement at the vertices of equilateral triangles with a side length of 500 m.

For gearbox equipment, standard red and white prisms are used. Sometimes trees and corners of fences are used for control points. Checkpoints are equipped with means of marking with which competitors are most familiar. Colored pencils are most often used for these purposes. When using pencils, they are firmly attached to a wire or rope to the CP. At each checkpoint, 2-4 pencils of the same color are hung. They need to be selected in such a way that there is no CP with the same or similar color set of pencils. Pencils are bluntly sharpened on both sides and tied in the middle.

When equipping the start and finish corridors, garlands of multi-colored flags are used, as well as start and finish boards. The finish line is arranged in such a way as to ensure the reception of participants from all possible directions. It is recommended to install an information board in the start-finish area. It displays samples of filling out control cards, competition control cards and operational information about preliminary results and finishing teams.

Summing up the results of the competition. The results of the competition are processed by 2-3 secretary judges. They calculate the results using the cards of the finishing teams, and also check the correctness of the mark on the checkpoint. In each cell of the control card, any mark must be made with a pencil hanging on the control panel. The number of marks must correspond to the number of checkpoints.

When holding a team championship, a competition report is also drawn up separately for team results, which indicates the number of points scored by group members and the place taken. The protocols are drawn up in duplicate

Master class "Health Day Scenario" (orienteering).

Orienteering not only develops the child’s physical qualities (speed and general endurance, agility and coordination of movements), but also mental abilities. Proposed Additional tasks, mini-competitions help broaden children’s horizons and consolidate previously acquired skills. And the group form of game activities in orienteering promotes the development of teamwork skills and strengthening team spirit.

This development is based on orienteering task games.

The games presented are designed for children of different age groups. Some are suitable for primary school students, others only for high school students. We recommend playing most of the games with fifth- and sixth-grade students. It is at this age that children in geography lessons study plans, diagrams, and learn to “read” a map; become familiar with such concepts as map scale, azimuth, symbols; know how to use a compass and find their location on a map. If desired, the games can be enriched with a variety of tasks from other subject areas or you can develop your own versions of a particular game.

"Encrypted Word"

Before the start of the competition, the judges come up with a code word - small and convenient for word formation (for example, “compass”, “star”, “tent”). After this, it is necessary to prepare checkpoints. There should be as many of them as there are letters in the cipher word. Then the judges set (hide) control points, which are then plotted on the map for orientation. The map also shows the start and finish locations and indicates areas unsuitable for running (if any). The total length of the distance should not exceed three kilometers.

The control point is a two-color paper prism (red and white). The color border runs diagonally. The letter of the magic cipher is indicated in the upper (white) part of the checkpoint.

Then each team is given a map with checkpoints marked and a team card (Appendix No. 3). The team card has cells in which the letters of the magic cipher will be entered and a table in which the team will have to fill in the composed words.

Teams of the competition game start according to a pre-drawn draw with bib numbers (the interval between teams is 2-3 minutes). Each team is given 1 hour to find all checkpoints, compose words and return to the finish line. The team has the right to find control points in any sequence (orientation by choice). Running up to the checkpoint, the team writes the letter of the magic cipher onto their card into a special cell. The rules of the game do not require that all checkpoints be found. Already having a supply of three or four letters, the team can begin to form words. These must be nouns in singular and nominative case. Incorrectly spelled words are not counted. The use of names and place names is prohibited. The participant writes down all composed words in a table on a card. The more checkpoints (letters) a team can find, the more words they can form, and the faster a team finds the checkpoints, the more time they will have to think and form words.

The main task is to come up with the largest number of words from the letters of the magic cipher in the allotted time.

The winner of the competition game is the team that composes the largest number of words from the magic cipher or is the first to solve the cipher word. If the indicators are equal, additional conditions are developed. Teams that do not meet the target time are considered to have completed the task incorrectly.

The presence of referees at the start, finish and control points (CP) is required, where their responsibilities include monitoring the teams’ correct passage of the CP, installation and removal of the CP after the game.

"Survival in the Natural Environment"

First, students become familiar with the rules of the game. Before the start, each participant or team receives a map of the area with the start location and the first checkpoint indicated on it. At the first checkpoint, the team is met by a judge who invites the participants to answer one question - in our case about medicinal plants. Several answer options are offered (there may be more options, but the rest should be obviously easy) and only one is correct. For example, to the question: “What plant can be applied to a wound instead of antibacterial agents?” The following answer options are offered:

1. Burdock. 2. Mother and stepmother. 3. Plantain.

4. Chamomile. 5. Dandelion

The team chooses and tells the judge their answer. The judge does not give any comments, but draws the next control point on the team map. Moreover, if the proposed option turned out to be correct, then the judge draws the “true” second CP. And if the answer option turns out to be incorrect, then the judge draws a “penalty” checkpoint. When looking for the next item, the team does not know whether they answered the question correctly. At the penalty checkpoint, the team is met by another judge, who offers them not a question, but a specific task (this is a kind of penalty for an incorrect answer at the previous checkpoint). The task could be: cleaning up trash left by careless tourists, installing a pre-prepared birdhouse, planting trees, collecting scattered old branches, etc.

After completing the task, the judge at the penalty control point draws the “true” second control point on the map and reports the correct answer to the previous question.

At the second, third, fourth control points the order of play remains the same.

After passing the last checkpoint (if the answer is correct) or after completing the last penalty task, the judge draws the finishing place on the team map. The participant or team that reaches the finish line first is the winner of the game.

The proposed number of control points is no more than five. Otherwise, the game time will increase significantly. To carry it out, you will need a large number of judges who can read the map well. Suitable conditions for performing penalty tasks are also necessary.

Orienteering is an incredibly interesting and intellectual sport. , sportsstrong, brave, talented and rich in spirit people, inextricably linked with nature. And through it, with our historical roots, with everything that is called our small Motherland.

The competition is held in the school area (Appendix No. 1).

All students in grades 5-11 participate in orienteering, except those exempted for the day due to health reasons. For each student who does not take part in the competition for an unexcused reason, the team is given a 5-minute penalty.

All classes go social distancing at intervals of 5 minutes. Before the start, the team is given a plan of checkpoints (Appendix No. 1) that need to be found, a map of the competition participant (Appendix No. 2) and given brief instructions on how to use it.

Movement along the distance is mixed - running alternates with walking.

Orienteering is a team competition. Stronger guys move ahead and are the first to look for checkpoints. At the end of the class column are also physically fit students who help those who are lagging behind.

As soon as the next point is found and the last team member approaches it, the judge makes a mark on the plan diagram.

At the finish line, it is taken into account how many checkpoints were found. If the number of points found is the same, the average time of the first and last team member is taken into account.

Teams compete in parallels: grades 5-6, grades 7-8, grades 9-11. Teacher - organizer, teachers physical culture and members of the sports association "Orlyonok" are judges.

Students in grades 9-11 can optionally compete in the individual championship.

Pupils in grades 5-6 leave the start with a class teacher, a class teacher and a parent who is well acquainted with the area where orienteering takes place.

Grades 5-6 are looking for 5 checkpoints (about 3 km). Grades 7-8 are looking for 6 points (about 3.5 km), grades 9-11 are looking for 10 points (about 5 km).

The area in which the competition is held should be familiar to most team members. The travel distance should not cross highways or have dangerous areas (potholes, dilapidated buildings, etc.). It is advisable that the location of the holiday be a walking area for local residents.

The competition distance must be looped and run along a clearly visible road. Checkpoints should be located in thickets on both sides of the road (no further than 100m from the road), so that the point is not visible from the road, but the road can be guessed from the point.

There must be at least 3 judges at the control point.

For an hour, the class runs around the territory looking for a checkpoint. Due to emotional uplift exercise stress much easier to tolerate.

Students really enjoy these competitions. In addition, orienteering promotes mental and physical development, health promotion, and helps to learn and understand nature.

Application

Conventional signs “For memory”. Relief

Horizontals:

Thickened;

main;

auxiliary

Slope direction, bergstroke

Horizontals

Earth cliff

Earthen rampart, earthen embankment

Small or destroyed earthwork

Gulch more than 1 m

Hole more than 0.5 m to 1 m

Hills, tubercles

Extra-scale, small tubercles

Elongated small tubercles

Pits

Microhole

Micro-

funnel

Microner-

ness

A special relief object (burrow, anthill...)

Rocks and stones

Insurmountable rock wall

Outlier rocks

Overcome rock cliff

Rock pit, excavation

Cave

Large stone, boulder

Extra large stone

Rocky field, many boulders

A group of boulders in one place

Rocky ground

Open sand

Clean, runnable rock

Hydrography and swamps

big body of water

small pond

Puddle

Irresistible River

Crossable river

Creek

Ditch with water

Drying ditch

Insurmountable swamp

Difficult swamp

Swampy, wet ground

Well

Spring, key

A special object of hydrography is a fountain, geyser.

Vegetation

Life sometimes gives such pirouettes that it is difficult to predict where and in what conditions you may find yourself tomorrow. As practice shows, people who are able to determine their location based on local signs, regardless of weather conditions and time of day, they remain confident in any conditions: in the mountains, in the impenetrable Siberian taiga, the sandy African desert or the snow-covered Kazakh steppe.

On the contrary, there are many cases where, unable to find the correct landmark in a monotonous area, entire expeditions perished. Therefore, among the great variety of skills acquired by a person throughout life, the most useful include terrain orientation.

Of course, there are unique people with the so-called “bump of direction”, who purely intuitively find the right path. But you still shouldn’t rely on a rare phenomenon. But having mastered the existing methods of orientation, you can safely conquer new routes, safely forgetting the meaning of the words “get lost,” “panic” and “get lost.”

Finding your location

The essence of orientation is to determine your location relative to the sides of the horizon, landforms, and surrounding objects. Orientation is carried out using a compass, local objects, landforms, the sun, moon, stars, etc. To correctly navigate the terrain, you need to learn:

• read the map;
• find the cardinal directions without a compass;
• identify surrounding local objects (identify landmarks);
• recognize bodies of water, trails, relief details (lowlands, ravines, elevations);
• measure distances.

Relief details and local objects, relative to which the location of an object is determined, serve as landmarks. Location orientation is carried out:

1. Using a topographic map. To do this, you need to lay out the map in accordance with the cardinal directions and determine your standing point.
2. Without a map. You can determine the cardinal directions by surrounding objects, natural signs, the Moon and a clock, the Sun and a clock, by a compass, and find your location using designated landmarks.

Determine your standing point using any of the following methods.

By nearby landmarks, by eye

This is a fairly simple and therefore the main way to approximately determine your location. The topographic map must be laid out in a horizontal plane so that all directions indicated on it correspond to the sides of the horizon and 1-2 landmarks must be identified on it.

Being near any noticeable landmarks, determining your location is as easy as shelling pears. The functions of the main landmark can be assigned to a bridge, large stone, intersection, etc. marked on the map. The location of this symbol will become the desired point that needs to be plotted on the map.

Example: During a stop in an open area, a tree was discovered growing straight in the direction the group was further following, and a little to the left, at a right angle, a turning post. The distance to the tree (400 m) and to the pole (200 m), determined by eye, is marked on the map so that a right angle is formed between them.

Measuring the path taken

This method is applicable when moving along a path, clearing, road or other terrain line marked on the map (lake shore, forest edge, etc.). The measurement is also used when moving in a straight line in the chosen direction (alternatively, to a distant landmark or in poor visibility conditions - in a given direction).

This method is indispensable in closed areas with poor landmarks. You should start moving from any symbol identified on the ground and marked on the map (bridge, intersection, forest edge) and count your steps in pairs. Thus, to determine the standing point, it is enough to plot on the map scale the distance traveled from the starting point in a given direction.

Serif according to landmarks

In open areas or when visibility is good, there is no better way to determine your location. While moving along any linear landmark, you need to identify on the map any symbol visible on the ground (tree, stone, pillar, etc.).

Attaching a pencil to the image, rotate it around the landmark so that the orientation of the map does not go astray. The intersection point of an imaginary line running parallel to a pencil depicting the road on which the object is located will become the point of its location.

If the selected landmark is located perpendicular to the route, or on the same line with another landmark visible and marked on the map, determining the location is easy.

In the first case, this is the point of intersection of the road with a straight line laid through a landmark (perpendicular to the route of the object). In the second - with a straight line passing through both landmarks.

Resection by several landmarks (Bolotov method)

Applies if the hiking trip takes place away from roads and in directions not indicated on the map. The main thing is to find on the ground two objects indicated on the map, located in different directions, at an angle of 30 to 150 degrees from each other.

Then orient the map according to the compass and, having marked the landmarks on it, draw straight lines from them towards you. The intersection of these directions will become the desired point.

How to identify a landmark and compare it with a map

To compare a topographic map with the terrain, it is necessary to find on the map all the observed objects and landforms, and, on the contrary, to detect on the terrain the landforms and objects indicated on the map. To find an object visible on the map on the map, you need to:

• correctly lay out the map (orient) and mark your location on it;
• without moving the map, turn to face the object that needs to be found on it;
• attach a pencil to the marked standing point, pointing it at a landmark seen on the ground;
• in the direction of the pencil, find the symbol of an as yet unidentified object (the location of the symbol will show the location of the object on the map).

To find an object marked on the map in the area, you need to:

• Having oriented the map, mark your standing point on it;
• attach a pencil to the marked point and the symbol of an object not yet discovered on the ground;
• without turning the map, carefully look at the area along the pencil;
• in this direction to find the object (it is important to first determine the distance to landmarks on the map and take it into account during the search).

Determining distances to targets

The distance is determined in meters. If linear dimensions and angles are known: by map scale, by comparing the map with the terrain. In the formula used, the distance to the object is equal to its height (length, width), multiplied by 1 thousand and divided by the angle at which the object is visible (in thousandths).

The angular dimensions of the target are measured using field binoculars and other optical observation equipment. The “thousandth” formula is popular among tourists and in military topography, as it allows you to quickly and accurately solve important problems.

Example: A free-standing tree with a height of 2.4 m is seen at an angle of 0-02. You need to determine the distance to the target. Solution: D=B*1000/U = 2.4*1000/2 = 1200m.

D – distance to target;

B – target height;

Y – target visibility angle. It is easy to determine using the formula: B * 1000: D.

Also, the distance to the target can be determined in steps, and then converted to meters. Steps are counted in pairs (the average pair of steps is 1.5 meters).

For example: a tourist walked 900 pairs of steps. We multiply the distance he covered by 1.5 and get 1350 meters.

Expert recommendations: To master this method, you need to practice walking at an even pace, paying special attention to ascents, descents, bumps and other “irregularities.” It is always preferable to know your stride length in meters rather than relying on approximate results.

To determine it, it is enough to walk a straight line, 200–300 meters long, and carry out simple mathematical calculations. Each new hundred steps begins anew, after the previous one is recorded in a notebook or in some other way.

Note! You can use a special pedometer device to automatically count your steps. The error of this method is 2–4%.

Ways to orientate a map

When hiking, it is important to understand the basic rule: work exclusively on an oriented map. To orient means to position it in such a way that the northern side “looks” to the north, and the rest - according to the cardinal directions. Only in this way will all observed directions and symbols coincide with the directions and symbols indicated on the map.

The accuracy of orientation depends on the goals set. Approximate is carried out by eye, precise - by compass, directions to local objects, terrain lines.

Orienting the map using a compass

It is carried out in closed, landmark-poor areas. First, remove the arrow lock and wait until it stops and the pointer shows the north direction. The compass is kept in a horizontal position, as far as possible from metal objects, power lines, and railway tracks.

Then the device is installed on the map so that the zero diameter of the limb (N – S) coincides with the western or eastern side of the map. In this case, the letter C should be directed to the north, top side of the card. Then the map is carefully rotated until the north compass needle is opposite the division corresponding to the division value (it is not taken into account if the declination is up to 3 degrees).

Often in the field, the card gets wrinkled and its frame gets wrapped up. B is applied to any vertical grid line. But in this case it is necessary to introduce a correction for the magnetic declination and direction. These values ​​can be found in the text under the south side of the map.

Helpful advice! Now that the market is flooded with low quality Chinese products, you need to check it before purchasing a compass. First make sure that the direction of the magnetic needle corresponds to the northern part of the world. After this, bring any metal object closer to the compass - with a high-quality compass, the needle deviates sharply to the side. Then pick up the item - the arrow should fall into place.

Orienting the map along terrain lines

To orient the map according to directions, you need to go to the terrain line indicated on the map (this can be a highway or railway, a forest clearing, and so on). Place a pencil on your standing line and turn the map so that the direction of the pencil coincides with the direction of this line on the ground.

Next, you should make sure that all the objects indicated on the map, in all their characteristics, coincide with the objects located on the ground. Only if the result is positive, the map is oriented correctly.

Orienting the map by directions to a landmark

This method of orientation is acceptable only if the person’s standing point is known and the landmark indicated on the map is visible from this point. A ruler is applied to the standing point marked on the map so as to connect it with a symbol indicating a landmark. Then the map must be rotated until the direction of the ruler and the landmark line coincide.

So, based on the above, we can understand that the process of orientation on the map is carried out in three stages:

• map orientation;
• determining your standing point;
• comparison of the map with the terrain.

Methods of orientation

Someone will probably ask: why do you need to know how to navigate if the hike will not last more than 2-3 days, and the chosen route is well-trodden and passable? By learning to predict force majeure situations, you can protect yourself from many troubles and avoid the sad fate of missing mushroom pickers or hunters.

Even the most experienced tourist can fall behind the group, and at this moment a lot depends on the contents of his backpack. Therefore, a topographic map, a compass and a flashlight should be perceived as vitally necessary. medications. And terrain orientation must be learned with the conscientiousness of a first-grader.

The goals of orientation are to determine your location as accurately as possible in relation to the sides of the horizon, noticeable local landmarks, maintain a given/selected direction of travel, and understand the position of local objects.

Orientation by compass

Few people know how to navigate without a compass. Therefore, when going on a hiking trip, especially for beginners, you should not ignore this device. Moreover, it takes up very little space.

To get your bearings, just set the compass to a horizontal position and release the needle brake. Then set it so that the zero division of the scale (C) is opposite the northern end of the arrow and coincides with the north of the map. Moreover, the center of the device should be level with the location indicated on the map. And this is what should happen in each direction of the horizon:

• C – 0 degrees;
• B – 90 degrees;
• Yu – 180 degrees;
• W – 270 degrees.

After determining the sides of the horizon, all that remains is to orient the map, marking on it your place of standing and local landmarks.

Orientation by compass without a map

For this, Adrianov’s compass is best suited, by which you can determine azimuths to surrounding objects and directions to them using the indicated magnetic azimuths.

Azimuth is the angle between the direction to the north and to some object (landmark). As a rule, it is measured in the direction of the apparent movement of the celestial sphere (clockwise on maps). By fixing the azimuth values, you can create a whole chain of landmarks. So, movement in azimuth is nothing more than determining the desired direction of movement and maintaining it during further movement.

To practice your ability to determine the cardinal directions without a map, you can take a compass when going into the forest for a “silent hunt.” It is best to choose a highway as a reference point. Having moved away from it into the forest in a perpendicular direction, but leaving the landmark in your field of vision, turn to face the road. Take out the compass and activate it. Turn until the pointer aligns with the zero scale.

Then, connect the center of the device and the road with an imaginary line. Record the direction of return. The front sight indicator will indicate the direction of further movement into the forest. When moving away from the road, you need to control the position of the arrow in order to notice in time a serious deviation from the given route.

If there is a need to return to the starting point, you need to take the compass so that the front sight pointer points forward. Then turn around with the device, wait until the north of the needle coincides with the north of the scale and move in this direction.

Orientation using a watch

The fastest and simplest is . During the time that the hour hand passes the dial twice, the sun circles our planet only once. Based on this, we can determine the sides of the horizon as follows:

1. Place the hand/pocket watch in a horizontal position.
2. Ignoring the minute hand, turn the case so that the hour hand points to the sun.
3. The angle obtained between the number “1”, the hour hand and the center of the dial is divided by 2.

The dividing line determines where is south and where is north (before 19 o'clock, south is on the sunny side, after 19 o'clock - in the direction from which the sun began its movement).

It is important to understand that this method does not give a 100% accurate result. The reason for the error is that the clock lies parallel to the horizon plane, and the visible daily “solar road” runs in the horizontal plane exclusively at the pole.

To achieve the most accurate indicators, experienced tourists use this method of orientation:

1. Place the watch in an inclined position (an angle of 40–50 degrees relative to the horizon), holding it with your thumb and forefinger at the numbers “4” and “10” (number “1” away from you).
2. Find the middle of the arc on the dial between the number “1” and the end of the hour hand and place a match there perpendicular to the dial.
3. Holding the watch at the same angle, turn it in relation to the luminary so that the shadow cast by the match passes through the center of the dial. Just at this moment the number “1” will show the southern direction.

Sun orientation

There are many known ways to navigate by the Sun. However, you need to be patient, because their use requires a lot of time, calculated not in minutes, but in hours. So:

• at noon (13 o'clock) the sun is in the south;
• at 1 o'clock - in the north;
• closer to 7 a.m. – in the east;
• at 19 pm - in the west.

But how to determine north - south at other times? To do this, appropriate corrections are introduced from the calculation: 1 hour of solar movement = 15 degrees.

It is important to consider that in summer in mid-latitudes the sun rises in the northeast and sets in the northwest. In winter, it rises in the southwest and sets in the southwest. Only during the equinoxes, which can be observed twice a year, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

Orientation by the North Star

The unusually bright star always points north. An error is possible, but it does not exceed 2 degrees. The North Star is adjacent to the celestial pole - the point around which, as it seems to us, all the stars revolve. It’s not difficult to find it, you just need to pay attention to the constellation Ursa Major.

Then (mentally) plot the distance between the most distant stars of the “bucket” five times in a straight line upward and stumble upon the desired landmark. Polaris (also the end of the “bucket handle” of Ursa Minor) is as bright as the other stars of Ursa Major.

Even if the celestial landmark is obscured by clouds and only the Big Dipper can be seen, determining the northern direction is quite simple.

Orientation by the moon

On a full moon, you can determine the sides of the horizon using the moon and a clock:

When the Moon is waxing/waning, you need to divide the radius of the disk into 6 equal sectors. Having determined the number of parts obtained across the visible crescent of the Moon, you need to look at what time it is.

When increasing, subtract, and when decreasing, add the number of parts to the fixed time. The result will show the hour when the sun will be in the current direction of the Moon. This will allow you to determine the southern direction in the same way as by the Sun and the clock. The only difference is that it is not the hour hand that is directed towards the Moon, but the section of the dial corresponding to the resulting hour.

Plant orientation

When determining the sides of the horizon by plants, you should not be guided by only one sign. To get an accurate result, at least 2 confirmations are required. So, what to pay attention to:

• on the northern side the tree bark is rough, on the southern side it is thinner and more elastic;
• lichens and fungi more generously cover the northern sides of the trees;
• an abundance of resin can be seen on the south side of conifers;
• on the south side the conifers are more branched;
• fruits or berries located on the south side ripen earlier and acquire a bright color;
• the trunks of the pine trees turn black from the north after the rain;
• oak in the mountains almost always grows on the southern slope;
• growth rings on stumps located in open areas are wider on the south side;
• spring grass grows thicker on the northern side of the forest clearing than on the southern side;
• on the southern side, near stumps, trees, pillars or other large objects, the grass is taller and denser than on the northern side (if the summer is dry, the “southern” grass turns yellow and dries, while the “northern” grass retains a lush green color);
• sunflower flowers and strings almost always “look” at the sun, turning to follow its movement across the sky (since the flowers never turn to the north, in inclement weather this allows you to roughly orient yourself);

in the summer, it is enough to feel the soil located near large objects to determine the southern direction (on the south side it is drier than on the north).

Animal orientation

By exploring the habits of various animals, you can get fascinating material for orientation. Here is just some information about the behavioral characteristics of animals, birds and insects that allow you to find the north without a compass:

• anthills are quite often located on the southern sides of stumps, trees or bushes (the northern slope of the “ant house” is steeper than the southern one);
• nests of steppe bees are located on surfaces facing south;
• the Syrian nuthatch makes its home on a section of the mountain “looking” to the east;
• nests of gulls or kittiwakes are always located on the north-western or western areas of land (shores of islands);
• rodents living in the steppe make the entrance to their burrow on the south side;
• During the seasonal migration of birds, everything depends on the time of year: in the fall the birds head south, in the spring - to the north.

Interesting fact! Horses and dogs have an amazing ability to navigate. Even if the route is no longer recognizable, you can not look for landmarks, but simply trust the animal, which will intuitively lead you where you need to go.

Terrain orientation

It is possible to accurately determine the cardinal directions without a compass using ravines. One has only to look at the unevenness and the eye will immediately detect a noticeable difference in the slopes:

• the northern side is quite steep, covered with thin patches of brown vegetation;
• the southern one is a gentle slope covered with lush, thick grass.

Orientation by radio signals

To do this you need to at least have a radio receiver. To get your bearings, it is enough to fix the signals of the most powerful radio stations using the compass azimuth. It is best if the direction of the signal coincides with any side of the world.

If orientation is lost, the device is installed in the direction of the weakest sound (it will indicate the desired side of the horizon, previously recorded by the compass).

Orienteering in the mountains

Even on a stormy day, you can accurately determine the sides of the horizon by the shape of the mountain slopes.

Mountain slopes facing south are quickly cleared of snow, dry out and are destroyed by flowing waters. Therefore they are more sloping.

The northern slopes are covered with snow for a long time, so they are well moistened and less susceptible to destruction. That's why they're cooler.

Orienteering in the desert

It's not for nothing that desert dwellers are considered unrivaled trackers. They read with amazing accuracy the traces left in the sand (barely visible triangles are left by beetles, holes are left by hares, larger depressions are left by camel caravans, and so on).

Alas, ordinary tourists do not have such abilities, so when they find themselves in the desert, they have to arm themselves with orienteering rules. If there are no reservoirs, wells, roads or other landmarks indicated on the terrain plan nearby, you need to carefully inspect the area. Traces of fires, remnants of equipment, and the remains of dead pack animals can indicate the direction to an oasis or settlement.

Knowing the direction of the prevailing winds, you can determine the sides of the horizon based on the shapes of dunes and dunes:

• in summer the dunes are moved to the southeast;
• from late autumn until spring, when the wind direction changes, their tops move to the northwest.

Attention! Such a destructive phenomenon for humans as a mirage, as a rule, occurs at noon. Therefore, you should be more careful if you suddenly notice an oasis among the sands.

By melting snow

The presence of snow cover creates additional signs for orientation. So, let's look at the main ones:

• in winter, snow sticks to buildings mainly from the north, and thaws faster from the south;
• in a hole, ravine or even human traces in the northern direction it melts faster than in the southern direction;
• in the mountains, on hillocks or other elevations, the southern slopes thaw faster (the steeper the slope, the faster clearings form - each degree of slope of the terrain, as it were, brings it that same degree closer to the equator);
• the roots of stumps and trees “crawl out” faster from under the snow on the south side;
• at the very beginning of spring, the southern surfaces thaw a little, while the northern ones, on the contrary, remain densely covered with snow;
• The forest edge on the northern side emerges from the snow cover 2 weeks later than on the southern side.

By the shadow

Orientation by shadow is carried out using a meter stick. It is stuck into the ground and marks the end of the shadow. After 20 minutes, when the shadow moves, its end is also fixed. Then the ends of the shadows are connected with a meter stick and a step is taken the size of this very stick: the beginning of the step is from the place of the first mark, the end is at the end of the stick.

Important point: if orientation occurs before noon, the start of the step is performed with the right foot; if in the afternoon - left. When performing a step, the body will turn until the face “looks” to the north.

For local subjects

Local objects are just point reference points that do not guarantee an accurate result. It is important to take this into account and, at the slightest opportunity, use a different method of orientation. The most truthful objects are those focused on traces of human activity:

• the altar of the Orthodox Church faces east, the bell tower faces west;
• the altar of the Catholic Church faces west;
• the lowered end of the lower crossbar of the cross on the dome of the Orthodox Church faces south;
• clearings in the forest are cut from north to south;
• The numbering of quarters, displayed on quarter posts, is from west to east, further to the south.

Night orienteering

To navigate as accurately as possible at night, you just need to look at the sky strewn with stars and find the Big Dipper there. But how can you find out the right path if the sky is overcast and there is pitch darkness all around?

Night orientation will help with this, which is also used in the absence of landmarks or in poor visibility conditions: fog, smoke, etc. In order not to go astray and find the way back, experienced travelers create artificial landmarks:

• piles of stones;
• nicks/notches on tree trunks;
• breaking branches;
• tying knots in tall grass or bushes;
• hanging strips of white cloth or paper along the route;
• in summer: marks with white paint or chalk;
• in winter: sprinkling the completed path with sand, ash, soot, soil;
• setting direction in the form of branches and poles stuck into the ground or snow.

The main assistants in drawing up a further route are:

1. Wind. If it is possible to determine its direction, it is enough to combine your movement with it.
2. Sound. At night, a person’s hearing is heightened and even the quietest sound is heard better than during the day. A reference point can be the murmur of a stream, the ringing of bells, etc. And in winter, the creaking of a sleigh can be heard several kilometers away.

What to do if the direction is lost and there is no landmark?

It happens that it is not possible to find an exact landmark and a person begins to panic. This is the wrong reaction, because the situation is not irreparable. If the direction is lost, you need to return to where it was determined and start moving again (remember to check the map as often as possible).

You can also recognize large landmarks (rivers, forests) and walk in azimuth to any indicated place. Then you need to get your bearings, determine the deviation and the distance traveled in order to return to the route. To get a better look at the area, experts recommend climbing some hill.

Some routes pass through areas where there are no landmarks. You need to be able to predict and determine such sections of the path before the start of the hike. This will help you overcome them quickly and painlessly.

Visibility and audibility tables

The audibility of sounds depends on many factors. The following is an average range that allows you to distinguish the nature of the sound.

The visibility technique is based on the limits at which a person with normal vision can see and distinguish certain objects. These distances are individual for each person. Comparative day/night data is shown in the table:

When going on an exciting forest trip or to conquer another mountain peak, you should take with you the basic elements of orienteering: a compass, a map, a watch. It is quite possible that this time the group will go astray from the route, and this forethought will help to find the right path.