Skip to main content

Bearing Sections: More Than Just a Line


Bearing Sections: More Than Just a Line

Lately, I haven’t had much free time to analyse courses and legs in detail. I’ve been fully immersed in finishing  Confident Orienteering Book 2, the continuation of the Practical Guide "Confident Orienteering", and I want to make sure it’s done to a high standard and on schedule (October 2025).

But I’m sure there will be more in-depth analyses here once I wrap up work on the Practical Guide  "Confident Orienteering" project.

Right now, I’m in the middle of making adjustments based on feedback from test readers. At the very start of Chapter 5 (one of 9 chapters in this book), “Planning Bearing Sections”, I received a comment from Klas Karlsson:

“This is a good chapter, I like it! Good examples as well. Not many comments from my side :)”

My response?
“I’m really happy about it.”

Why? Because bearing sections can be approached in very different ways, and in this chapter I’ve tried to explain how I see these options. I’ve also used more diagrams without maps this time, to encourage readers to think strategically when they look at a specific leg and consider going “straight.”

Running “straight” should always be based on a solid foundation — it’s not just about taking the shortest line between two points, but also about ensuring reliability.

Have you ever thought about how differently we execute bearing sections in different circumstances? 

They differ not only in terms of technique, but also in the types of target features we use and the concepts we rely on to check our progress along those sections. 

Here’s a quick sketch of an example from the book.
(I’m not including the full explanation here — that will be in the book.)

By the way, my approach to designing these illustrations is simple: they should be understandable even without additional text.

Does this one make sense to you?
I hope so.



Klas Karlsson’s review of my Confident Orienteering Book 1: Fundamentals

or Also here: 

I really like this review — and not just because it’s positive, but mostly because it very clearly highlights the main ideas behind Book 1.

I’m looking forward to realise  Book 2: Planning Reliable Routes once it’s ready!

Confisent Orienteerng Book 1:Fundamentals is here


July 21, 2025, Aleksandr Alekseyonok.










Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

  Case Study #4 Case: You ran onto a narrow ride slightly below its end and are unsure which of several similar rides you are on.   Solution: In this situation, the relief profile can assist us. Even if the rides themselves appear similar, the relief profile along each ride differs , providing valuable clues for accurate positioning. This approach is discussed in Chapter 3 ( Using All the Indicators for Confident Positioning ) of the book Planning Reliable Routes . It demonstrates that relief can be used not only when we are uncertain about our current location , but also proactively during route planning . By analysing the map in advance, we can identify segments where linear features intersect with relief forms , creating distinct and easily recognisable points. These can serve as reliable positioning features . Additionally, flat areas and transitions between slopes and level terrain can also support effective location verification. (Example taken from my book Plann...
Post a Comment
Read more

Left, Right, or Straight: Leg Analysis #21

  Left, Right, or Straight: Leg Analysis #21 Today we will take a look at Leg 5–6 from the M18 Long Distance course at the   Novembertävlingarna, lång event (23.11.2025) Organising club Tullinge SK (Sweden) In the M18 class, the most successful route choices used a less distinct path running between the hills. In general, the approach to the control could be planned either contouring around the hillside or crossing over the top . This decision largely influenced the entire route choice on this leg. Interestingly, both of these approaches were used by the fastest runners on this leg (Carl-Meijer Axelsson and Jonathan Enarsson) — and both produced very similar results . The athlete who placed 3rd on this leg - Ivar Nordberg (and eventually 3rd overall ) most likely made a mistake. After reaching the top of the hill , he deviated down toward the open field — a move that doesn't seem justified. Most likely, he lost direction while descending the slope. This leg also ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Book 2 Nears the Finish Line

  Book 2 Nears the Finish Line Editors Ross Barnett and Clive Allen are now in the final stage of polishing Confident Orienteering Book 2: Planning Reliable Routes . Ross has already done two full read-throughs, which put me on an emotional high – and it’s still going! Clive has started the final proofread before layout. My wife, Svetlana (the book designer), and I are wrapping up the explanatory graphics for the illustrations. The test readers have also finished reading all the chapters. I’ll share their feedback once we start the layout phase. If all goes well, in about two weeks we’ll begin laying out Book 2. The goal is to release it in late September or early October. Fingers crossed everything runs smoothly in these last weeks. Work on Book 3 (Routes executing) is also moving fast. Only two chapters are left – and then the whole Practical Guide  'Confident Orienteering: A Systematic Approach to Minimising Errors' will be complete.  Editing is already underway on...
Post a Comment
Read more