You are hiking into unfamiliar terrain. what is the best way to keep your bearings?

The best way to maintain a bergain on an unknown, unfamiliar terrain is to track contour lines on a topographic map. Topographic map with contour lines shows valleys and hills, steepness or gentleness of slopes. The contour interval on the topographic map is the difference in height between consecutive contour lines. Contour lines (thinner lines) are located between the index contours, and they are called the intermediate contour lines. For example, if the data is given on the map, 100: 5 = 20, this means that the difference in height between the index lines is 100 meters, and the height difference of two adjacent contour lines is 20 meters. In this way, the characteristic of the unknown terrain can be determined, steepness, gentleness, etc.

The correct answer is following the contour lines on the topographic map.

Explanation :

As one hike into unfamiliar terrain, one must follow the contour lines on the topographic map to have an understanding of the profile of the elevation of the terrain. This allows the hikers to select the relevant track route and can hence be lifesaving during the time of duress at the unfamiliar terrain.

Further Explanation:

The topographic maps are referred to as the maps which have the contour lines in them. These maps have a combination of colors, shadings, and contour lines for the hiker to understand the elevation profile. The topographic map represents the three-dimensional image of the terrain or any other geographical landscape on the two-dimensional map. The topographic map is thus useful; for the hikers as it presents them with the opportunity to determine the height from the sea level of the terrain.  

Learn More:

Learn more about the use of a compass: ;

Answered by Raptortrainor2013

Learn more about the topographic maps: ;

Answered by QuasarJose

Keywords:

Hiking into unfamiliar terrains, measure of keeping bearings while hiking, use of compass and maps, importance of compass and maps while hiking.

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