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Navigation

34 terms

Browse definitions, examples, and related concepts for 34 navigation terms commonly used in camping and backpacking.

Key Terms at a Glance

Term Definition
blue-blazed hiker A hiker who takes shortcuts or alternate paths (often marked by blue blazes)...
blue blazer A hiker who takes alternative routes, often following blue-blazed trails,...
elevation map A map that shows the varying elevations of the land surface, often using...
GPS tracker A device that uses Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to track the...
map A representation of an area showing physical features, cities, roads, etc.
navigation The process of determining one’s position and following a route through an...
river navigation The process of following or traveling along a river, using skills and tools...
topo Short for topographic map, a detailed and accurate representation of natural...

azimuth

noun

The direction from your current position to a destination. The bearing is expressed in degrees east/west of a...

bearing

noun

The direction from your current position to a destination. The bearing is expressed in degrees east/west of a...

blaze

noun

A symbol painted/applied to a tree to help hikers navigate. These rectangular markings allow hikers to identify a...

blue-blazed hiker

noun

A hiker who takes shortcuts or alternate paths (often marked by blue blazes) to shorten their hike or bypass...

blue blazer

noun

A hiker who takes alternative routes, often following blue-blazed trails, which may offer shortcuts, bypasses, or...

cairn

noun

A small stack of rocks used to mark a trail. These are typically used instead of blazes in deserts and alpine...

compass

noun

A navigational device that indicates direction. This handheld instrument contains a magnetic needle (or group of...

contour map

noun

A type of map that uses contour lines to show topography (land contours). These also display elevation, bodies of...

declination

noun

The difference in degrees between magnetic north and true north.

double blaze

noun

Two blazes painted/applied to a tree to help hikers navigate. Double blazes denote a trail junction or change in...

elevation map

noun

A map that shows the varying elevations of the land surface, often using contour lines.

global positioning system (GPS) device

noun

An electronic tool that uses satellite triangulation to determine the holder’s longitude and latitude. A camper can...

GPS tracker

noun

A device that uses Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to track the location and movement of a person or object.

latitude

noun

A coordinate identifying a north-south position on the Earth’s surface. Latitude is measured in degrees from 0° (at...

longitude

noun

A coordinate identifying an east-west position on the Earth’s surface. Latitude is measured 180° east and west of the...

magnetic declination

noun

The difference in degrees between magnetic north and true north.

map

noun

A representation of an area showing physical features, cities, roads, etc.

navigation

noun

The process of determining one’s position and following a route through an outdoor environment, often using maps,...

off-trail navigation

noun

The skill and practice of finding one's way in the wilderness without a marked trail.

orienteering

noun

A pursuit that requires the participant to navigate—and travel—from point to point using a compass and topographical...

prismatic compass

noun

A hand compass designed to allow the user to simultaneously view the distant objects being sighted and read the...

river navigation

noun

The process of following or traveling along a river, using skills and tools to stay on course.

topo

noun

Short for topographic map, a detailed and accurate representation of natural and human-made features in a specific...

topographic map

noun

A type of map uses contour lines to show topography (land contours). These also display elevation, bodies of water,...

topography

noun

The arrangement of natural and artificial features in an area, including mountains, valleys, and plains.

topo lines

noun

Lines on a topographic map representing elevation changes and contours of the land.

topo map

noun

A type of map uses contour lines to show topography (land contours). These also display elevation, bodies of water,...

trail blaze

noun

A mark, such as a painted spot or sign, placed along a trail to guide hikers.

trail map

noun

A type of map that’s used by hikers to aid in navigation. The primary information on a trail map will typically show...

waymarker

noun

A sign, post, or marker that provides directional information, typically placed along a trail to help hikers stay on...

waymarking

noun

The act of placing signs or markers to guide people along a route.

white blaze follower

noun

A person who follows the white blaze trail markers on the Appalachian Trail.

white blazer

noun

A hiker who follows white blazes, typically referring to hikers on the Appalachian Trail, where white blazes mark the...

yellow blazer

noun

A hiker who skips sections of a trail by hitching rides or taking alternate transportation.
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