After reading this article, you will get acquainted with such a concept as orientation. What does this concept imply, what are its methods and types, the history of orienteering - we will touch on all this in our story. First of all, you need to define the key term. Let's talk about such a thing as orientation. That such a concept exists, each of us knows. And many can even explain it: this is the ability to correctly determine the cardinal directions, as well as imagine the location of settlements and the direction of roads to the place where you are. You can always find the way, if you know about the location of the four cardinal points. They are south (S), north (N), west (W), and east (E). Now let's talk in more detail about such a concept as orientation.
What is terrain orientation
This is a very broad concept. You can navigate by compass, map, sun, stars, clock, natural phenomena and signs, as well as various tips. For example, if you look out the window in the morning and see that people are walking with umbrellas, you will understand that it is raining outside. If you notice snow, then dress warmly. This, so to speak, is "everyday" orientation.
What is orientation, why is it necessary? It is one of the most important conditions that ensure human life, as well as necessary for the successful solution of the tasks. It is easy to use a compass or a map for this. However, sometimes it is necessary to act without having either a compass or a map with you. Therefore, you should know other ways to navigate the terrain.
In preparing for a hike, you need to pay special attention to inculcating the appropriate skills, ways, rules and techniques that will help you do without the use of a compass and map.
Sun Orientation
You may know that its sunrise and sunset locations differ depending on the time of year. The sun rises in the southeast in winter and sets in the southwest. In summer, it rises in the northeast and sets in the northwest. In autumn and spring, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. It must be remembered that at noon it is always located in the direction to the south, regardless of the time of year. At 13 o'clock, the shortest shadow from objects is observed. At this time, its direction from objects located vertically points to the north. If the Sun is hidden by clouds, you can put a knife on your fingernail. A shadow will appear, even a small one, and it will be clear where it is.
According to the Sun and clocks
You should point the hour hand at the Sun. The angle that forms between the number 1 (13 o'clock) and the direction of the hour hand must be divided in half using an imaginary line. She will show you the direction: behind - north, ahead - south. It must be remembered that the left corner should be divided before 1 pm and the right corner in the afternoon.
Polar Star
There are many ways to navigate the terrain. One of the most famous - according to the North Star. This star is always in the north. In order to find it, you must first find the constellation Ursa Major. This constellation resembles a bucket, which is formed from 7 stars, quite bright. Further, through the 2 extreme right stars, you should mentally draw a line. On it it is necessary to postpone the distance between them, multiplied by five. At the end of the line we will find the North Star. It is located in the tail of Ursa Minor, another constellation. If we face this star, we will be facing north.
On the Moon
In order to navigate the terrain well, you must remember that the Moon in the first quarter at 20 o'clock is visible in the south, in the west it is at 2 o'clock in the morning. If we are talking about the last quarter, then in the east the Moon will be at 2 am, and in the south at 8 am. The sides of the horizon at night with a full moon are determined in the same way as by the Sun and the clock. In this case, the Moon is used instead of the Sun. It must be remembered that when it is full, it opposes the Sun. In other words,positioned against him.
Method of orientation by melting snow
We continue to talk about what orientation in geography is. We have described far from all of its methods. This article only covers the main ones. One of the most common ways is orienteering by melting snow. The south side of all objects, as you know, heats up more than the north. This means that snow melts faster on this side as well. This is clearly noticeable in early spring, as well as in winter, during thaws, on snow adhering to stones, holes near trees, slopes of ravines.
Shadow
At noon, the shadow is as short as possible, and its direction points to the north. In order not to wait for its appearance, you can proceed as follows. It is necessary to stick a stick into the ground, the length of which is approximately 1 m. Next, you need to mark the end of its shadow. Then you should wait about 10-15 minutes, then repeat the procedure. From the first to the second position of the shadow, you need to draw a line, and then extend it beyond the second mark by about a step. With the toe of the left foot, stand opposite the 1st mark, and place the toe of the right foot at the end of the line you have drawn. You are now facing north.
By buildings
A certain type of building is oriented strictly to the cardinal points. These include churches, synagogues, mosques. The chapels and altars of Lutheran and peasant churches always face east, and the bell towers of these buildings face west. You can navigate along the domeOrthodox Church, or rather, according to the cross on it. The edge of its lower crossbar, which is lowered, is turned to the south, and to the north it is raised. On the western side are the altars of Catholic churches. The doors of Muslim mosques and synagogues face approximately north.
Usually the exit from the yurts is done to the south. In villages in houses, more windows are made on the south side. Another important sign is that on the south side, the coloring on the walls of buildings fades more and becomes a withered color.
Clearings in the forest
It is possible to determine the cardinal directions in cultivated forests by clearings. They are usually cut along east-west and north-south lines. You can also orient yourself by the inscriptions of the numbers of the quarters, which are made on the pillars placed at the intersection of the clearings. Numbers are placed at the top of each such pillar and on each of the 4 faces. The north direction shows the edge between the two faces that have the lowest digits.
Determining the time without a clock
If you have lost or broken your watch, you can find out the local time with relative accuracy using a compass. For this, azimuth orientation is used. What it is? It is necessary to measure the azimuth to the Sun. After you determine it, you need to divide the resulting value by 15. This is the amount by which the Sun rotates in an hour. The number that appears in the end will indicate the time. For example, the azimuth to the Sun is 180°. Therefore, the time is 12 o'clock.
Orienteering
Surely you are familiar with the phrase "orienteering". What it is? Thisthe sport is based on the fact that the participants must pass the checkpoints located on the ground using a compass and a sports map. As a rule, the results are determined by the time spent on the distance (sometimes pen alty time is taken into account). The method of calculation by the number of points scored by the participants can also be used.
Today, competitions in this sport are held in various groups. They can be both by skill level and by age. The length of the distance and its complexity are determined by the complexity of the terrain and the age group. The route (distance) in this case must be unknown to all participants, and also contain certain difficulties that must be overcome, having a good physical shape and ability to navigate.
History of orienteering
Since ancient times, people have known what orienteering is. It is known that even then they used the skills and abilities associated with it. However, a review of historical facts usually begins with military competitions that were held in the northern states of Europe. It is believed that orienteering as a sport appeared at the end of the 19th century. It was then that the first competitions were organized between a number of military garrisons in Norway, Sweden, and Great Britain. On October 31, 1897, the first mass competitions among citizens were held. So, many people learned about what orienteering is, the definition of which in our time can be given by every schoolchild. However, the real birth of thissport took place in 1918. It was then that Major E. Killander from Stockholm decided to use the environment of the Swedish countryside to organize a new sport. During the competition he invented, runners not only ran, but also had to choose their own routes using a compass and a map.
Orienteering as a sport by 1934 spread to Switzerland, Hungary and the USSR. National championships for women and men began to be held annually in Sweden, Finland and Norway by the beginning of World War II. In 1960, the Open International Competitions took place in the Stockholm area. They were attended by representatives of 7 countries. Today this sport is very popular. There are several types of orienteering: running, skiing, cycling, trail orienteering, etc. Competitions are held for each of them.
Now you can talk about what orienteering is. And tourism, and sports, and survival in extreme conditions combines this concept. Orientation allows you to find the way, being anywhere on our planet in an unfamiliar area. Knowing its basics, you will not be afraid to get lost in the forest or anywhere else.
