Questions
Questions answered
Here are the questions most often asked by people who are just starting to navigate with a map or are heading somewhere unfamiliar. The answers are short and practical. Where a topic needs more detail, we link to the practical article or the glossary.
The most useful question on the way is: where was I last sure of my position? That is the point to count from.
Map and scale
What does a 1:25,000 scale mean?
It means everything on the map is 25,000 times smaller than on the ground. One centimetre on such a map equals 250 metres, two centimetres equal 500 metres, and four make a kilometre.
Which scale should I choose for a walk?
The smaller the second number, the more detailed the map. For walking, detailed maps showing paths and individual buildings are best. For a drive around a region an overview map will do, but it won't show footpaths.
What are the wiggly brown lines?
These are contour lines: each one joins points of the same height. Where the lines are close together the slope is steep; where they are far apart it is gentle. They show you in advance where you'll have to climb.
Where can I find what the map symbols mean?
They are usually explained in the legend in the map margin. Symbols vary from one publisher to another, so it's worth looking over the legend of your own map before a walk.
Compass and phone
Why can a compass needle be wrong?
Metal and electronics nearby deflect it: a phone, keys, a car, power cables. Step a few paces away from them and hold the compass level, and the reading will be more reliable.
Can I find north using the sun?
Roughly, yes: in the northern hemisphere the sun is in the south around midday, and at night the Pole Star points north. But these methods have a noticeable margin of error and are fine for a general idea, not for an accurate route.
How do I make my phone map work without a signal?
Download a map of the area to your device in advance while you have internet. Check at home that it opens in airplane mode. Satellite positioning works without a mobile network.
How do I share my location?
Most messaging and map apps let you send a point on the map or your coordinates. Practise at home so you aren't hunting for the feature in the cold with a dying battery.
Safety
What should I do once I realise I'm lost?
Stop. Don't rush or guess your way: that is how people end up even further away. Recall the last place you recognised, estimate how long until dark, and check your signal and battery.
When should I call 112?
If you can't get out on your own, it's getting dark, someone is injured or there is another threat to life or health. 112 is the single emergency number in Russia and also works in EU countries; elsewhere, call your local emergency number.
What should I tell rescuers?
Who you are and how many of you there are, where and when you set off, what you last saw, what you can see now and how much battery you have left. If your phone shows coordinates, read them out.
Why tell someone my route if everything will be fine?
Because nobody knows in advance whether it will be. If you don't return on time, the person at home can say straight away where to look for you, and that saves hours.
Where to go next
- Practical
A step-by-step map-and-compass route from point to point, plus a catalogue of practical articles.
- Reference
An orienteering glossary: scale, contour lines, bearing, declination, satellite systems.
- Topics
Four groups of topics: the map, compass and cardinal directions, phone navigation, and safety on the way.
What this page is based on
- Topographic maps and their symbols
- Guides to land navigation and orienteering
- EMERCOM of Russia — outdoor safety leaflets
Maps go out of date, trails get overgrown and rules for visiting natural areas change. Before you set out, check up-to-date information and follow any instructions on site. This guide covers general techniques and is no substitute for training and preparation for demanding routes.