From Theory to Practice #1: 

What to Do When You Can't Make Sense of Contours

Ideally, when navigating through complex terrain, we want to understand the overall terrain structure. This allows us to combine running on a bearing with navigating between terrain features, while taking advantage of better runnability and avoiding unnecessary climbs and descents.

But what if we simply cannot make sense of the contours?

We look at the map and see dozens of small circles, ovals, and complicated contour lines. Yet we struggle to put them together into a clear picture of the terrain. How are these hills and depressions connected? Where does the ground rise or fall? What should we expect along the leg?

What should we do when the map doesn't give us a clear picture?

My first step is always to try to understand the overall terrain structure. But if, even after carefully studying the map, I still cannot make sense of it, there is little benefit in standing still and staring at the same contours.

We need to keep moving!

This is especially true when the forest has reasonably good runnability and alternative routes around the complex area offer no obvious advantage.

In such situations, I use a relatively simple technique: navigating through a sequence of distinct terrain features connected by short bearing sections.

The features I usually look for are small hilltops or depressions.

I identify the nearest distinct feature, preferably close to the leg line. Then I look for the next one, and another one beyond it. In this way, I build a chain of collecting features along my route.

Between these features, I follow a precise bearing while carefully monitoring the distance travelled.

Because the bearing sections are short, I can estimate quite accurately when I should reach the next feature. Once there, I verify my location, check whether the terrain matches my expectations, take a new bearing, and continue.

But there is another important part of this technique.

As I move from one collecting feature to the next, I keep trying to understand the overall shape of the terrain.

And this is where things often start to change.

At first, all I have is the contour information on the map, which I may find difficult to interpret. But after passing one, two, or three collecting features, I have something more: information gathered directly from the terrain.

I begin to recognise the direction of slopes, the shape of hills, and the relationships between depressions and higher ground.

Gradually, I build a clearer reality model of the surrounding terrain. As I compare it with my expectation model, the overall terrain structure begins to make sense.

What initially looked like a confusing collection of contour lines starts to become a recognisable terrain picture.

Of course, whenever I can identify elongated terrain features, such as ridges, spurs, or re-entrants, I try to use their navigational lines to guide my movement. This can make route execution considerably easier.

But when the overall terrain structure remains unclear, moving between distinct small terrain features using short bearing sections can be a reliable alternative.

A Practical Example: Kapa 2026 (Latvia)

A good example is the particularly challenging start of the men's elite course at the Kapa competition.

Take a look at the map. I've highlighted one contour line in red to illustrate just how complex the terrain structure is.

To make matters worse, many contour lines are interrupted by symbols representing small terrain features, while others are partially obscured by the leg lines. I've marked several examples with blue circles.

These details make it even harder to understand the overall terrain structure.

Using Legs 1–4 as an example, I've illustrated how I would plan and execute my route if I couldn't form a clear picture of the terrain from the contours on the map.

Rather than trying to visualise the entire leg, I would break it down into a sequence of short bearing sections connecting distinct collecting features.

At each feature, I would verify my location, check the distance travelled, take a precise bearing towards the next feature, and continue.

Meanwhile, I would keep observing the terrain, gradually building a clearer picture of its overall structure and how the different terrain features fit together.

Summary

Not understanding the overall terrain structure doesn't mean you cannot navigate confidently through the area.

You don't always need a complete picture of the terrain before you start moving.

Instead, you can progress from one reliable collecting feature to the next, using short, precise bearing sections and regularly confirming your location through pinpoint positioning.

And often, something important happens along the way: by observing the terrain and continuously comparing your expectation and reality models, you gradually develop the understanding of the terrain structure that you were missing at the start.

Source: https://www.livelox.com/Viewer/Kapa-3days-2026-Day-2/M21E?classId=1221018&live=false&tab=player

Aleksandr Aleksleyonok, Octover 27, 2026. 

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