Skip to main content

Control Elevation Analysis

Control Elevation Analysis 


The task was to arrange the controls from the lowest to the highest.



First, we draw the index contours of each level using different colors.
The lowest index contour on the map is marked in blue, and the next one above it in light blue.

See Figure with mark "1".



In this task, it is easier to start determining the control elevations by identifying the highest controls first, because the top of the slope is easier to recognize on the map.

We can see that controls 3 and 2 are the highest, with control 3 higher than control 2.

Next, we distribute the remaining controls between the blue and light-blue index contours.
The lowest among them is control 9, as it is located just above the blue index contour.

Next comes control 4, and then control 1, followed by control 5, which is the highest of this group because it lies only one contour below the light-blue index contour.


The most challenging part of the task turned out to be the remaining controls, which are located below the blue index contour. See figure with mark "2". 



Three controls are located below the blue index contour and above the form line (shown as a red line in the figure).
These are controls 7, 8, and 6.

Therefore, we can place an equality sign between them — based on the map, we cannot determine their exact relative elevation.\

Only one control, number 10, is located below the form line (marked in red in the figure), making it the lowest control on the entire map.

Therefore, the solution to the task can be written as follows (controls ordered by elevation, from lowest to highest):
10, 6 = 7 = 8, 9, 4, 1, 5, 2, 3.


Aleksandr Alekseyonok, January 15, 2026.



Comments

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...

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 ...

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...