How to use natural landmarks to maintain direction
  • 1. Which natural landmark is MOST consistently reliable for navigation, especially at night?
A) Prevailing wind direction
B) Local vegetation growth patterns
C) The North Star (Polaris)
D) A specific mountain peak
  • 2. If moss is generally thicker on one side of a tree, which direction does that side typically face in the Northern Hemisphere?
A) South
B) North
C) East
D) West
  • 3. What is the term for a long, narrow ridge of sediment deposited by a glacier?
A) Moraine
B) Kettle hole
C) Esker
D) Drumlin
  • 4. How can the sun be used to determine direction without a compass?
A) By looking directly at the sun
B) By only observing the sun at noon
C) Observe its position relative to the horizon at sunrise and sunset
D) By measuring the intensity of its rays
  • 5. In which direction do most rivers generally flow?
A) Downhill, towards lower elevation
B) Uphill, towards higher elevation
C) Randomly, with no predictable pattern
D) Directly towards magnetic north
  • 6. What is the BEST way to confirm your direction using multiple landmarks?
A) Dead reckoning
B) Triangulation
C) Following animal trails
D) Relying on a single prominent landmark
  • 7. If you are navigating in a desert, what is a crucial landmark to look for to maintain direction?
A) The color of the sand
B) Sand dune orientation in relation to the prevailing wind
C) Mirages
D) The presence of cacti
  • 8. What does the term 'back azimuth' refer to?
A) The angle of elevation of a landmark
B) The opposite direction (180 degrees) from your current bearing
C) The speed at which you are traveling
D) The measurement of the distance to a landmark
  • 9. What is the most important consideration when using animal trails for navigation?
A) They may not lead in the direction you intend to travel
B) They are always straight and easy to follow
C) They are always reliable paths
D) They are always well-maintained
  • 10. How can you use a stick and the sun to find approximate north and south?
A) By burying the stick to attract insects
B) By observing the movement of the stick's shadow over time
C) By using the stick's height to estimate distance
D) By using the stick as a pointer towards the nearest water source
  • 11. What is a 'col' in mountain terminology?
A) A field of snow on a mountain slope
B) A deep valley carved by a glacier
C) A saddle-shaped depression between two peaks
D) A sharp, pointed mountain summit
  • 12. What is the danger of relying solely on landmarks seen on a map without ground truthing?
A) Maps are always perfectly accurate
B) Landmarks may have changed or disappeared over time
C) Landmarks are always in the exact same place they were on the map
D) Landmarks are always easy to identify
  • 13. Which of these is generally the LEAST reliable landmark for navigation?
A) Temporary snow patches
B) Waterfalls
C) Prominent rock formations
D) Distinctive tree shapes
  • 14. In the Southern Hemisphere, which direction does the thicker moss typically face on a tree?
A) East
B) West
C) North
D) South
  • 15. How can prevailing winds affect tree growth, and how can this be used for navigation?
A) Trees always grow perfectly straight
B) Trees only grow on the leeward side of hills
C) Prevailing winds have no impact on tree growth
D) Trees may be bent or stunted on the windward side
  • 16. What is the approximate angle change of the sun per hour?
A) 45 degrees
B) 30 degrees
C) 15 degrees
D) 5 degrees
  • 17. What is the main hazard of following a river downstream?
A) Rivers are always easy to cross
B) Rivers always have gentle slopes
C) It always leads to a source of civilization
D) It may lead to impassable terrain like waterfalls or canyons
  • 18. Which natural phenomenon can be used to navigate using the stars in the Southern Hemisphere?
A) The Big Dipper constellation
B) The Milky Way
C) The Southern Cross constellation
D) The North Star (Polaris)
  • 19. What does 'ground truthing' mean in the context of navigation?
A) Verifying information on a map with what you observe on the ground
B) Ignoring your map and navigating by instinct
C) Burying your map for safekeeping
D) Relying solely on landmarks on the ground
  • 20. When using a shadow stick, when is the shadow shortest?
A) Sunrise
B) Sunset
C) Solar noon
D) Midnight
  • 21. Which type of natural landmark is MOST resistant to change over long periods?
A) Areas of dense vegetation
B) Sand dunes
C) Major mountain ranges
D) Small streams
  • 22. What is a common characteristic of East facing slopes in the Northern Hemisphere?
A) They are typically colder
B) They are drier
C) They receive sunlight earlier in the day
D) They receive less snow
  • 23. Why is it important to factor in declination when using a compass with a map?
A) To determine the elevation of landmarks
B) To predict the weather
C) To calculate your speed
D) To account for the difference between magnetic north and true north
  • 24. Which of these is NOT a reliable indicator of direction in the wilderness?
A) The location of the North Star
B) The direction of prevailing winds
C) The flow of rivers
D) The color of wildflowers
  • 25. What is one way to find direction using an analog watch and the sun?
A) The date on the watch shows the degrees to magnetic north.
B) The second hand always points north.
C) Point the 12 o'clock mark at the sun, and the hour hand points north.
D) Point the hour hand at the sun, and half the angle between the hour hand and 12 o'clock points south (in the northern hemisphere)
  • 26. What does it mean for a landmark to be 'intervisible'?
A) Two landmarks can be seen from each other.
B) A landmark can only be seen at night.
C) A landmark is very small.
D) A landmark is made of glass.
  • 27. Why should you take multiple bearings to different landmarks?
A) To make the map more colorful.
B) To confuse potential followers.
C) To increase accuracy and provide redundancy in case one landmark is obscured.
D) Taking multiple bearings does not improve accuracy.
  • 28. Which factor is MOST important when selecting a landmark?
A) Its name.
B) Its permanence and ease of identification.
C) Its color.
D) Its proximity to water.
  • 29. Why is it dangerous to only use landmarks directly behind you when navigating?
A) It's impossible to navigate using landmarks behind you.
B) You could unknowingly walk in a circle.
C) It's the safest way to navigate.
D) Landmarks behind you will always remain visible.
  • 30. When using the sun and a watch, how does the procedure change in the Southern Hemisphere?
A) The watch must be digital.
B) It's impossible to use a watch to navigate in the southern hemisphere.
C) Half the angle between the hour hand and 12 o'clock points NORTH.
D) The procedure is exactly the same.
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