The main skill of a navigator is contour interpretation. That is understanding what the contours on a map will look like on the ground. While manmade features such as fences and even roads will change, the shape of the ground remains constant.
There are four main physical features that are of interest to us. They are:
Summits
Simply, the highest point! Contour lines form rings and there is often a Spot Height in m.
Coll or saddle
The low area between two summits. It is often, but not always a flat area.
In this example the low portion of the Coll is at Spot Height 690.
Spur
A finger like projection coming outwards from a mountain.
Contour lines look like they are bulging outwards.
Re-entrant
A small valley, usually contains a stream.
Just as a stream cuts into the mountainside, the contour lines bend inwards or point uphill.
We will visit each of these features and discover how to use them for navigation on our Mountain Skills Courses.
All map images are sourced with kind permission from eastwest mapping.