If you are crossing contours, you are going up or down hill. The height difference between contour lines may vary from map to map, but it's always shown on the map. As your orienteering improves, the information in the contour shapes will become both easier to understand and more important to you. Don't worry if they look like meaningless squiggles at first. The darker the green, the more difficult the bush is to get through.
Open areas appear as shades of yellow .
Orienting the map This is the first skill taught in orienteering after you've got the idea of the colours and the symbols. With your map held in front of you, stand still and take a look around. Now rotate the map in your hands until the road on the map is to the left, and the river to its right. Your map is now oriented. As long as you always keep it the right way round like this, it will be much easier to read.