Description

Before one can identify handrails, catching features, and collecting features, orienteers must know the definitions of these three features:

Handrail: A long linear feature that you can follow as part of your route or navigation.

Catching feature: An obvious feature (typically a linear feature) beyond the next control you are looking for, that you will come across if you miss your control and go too far.

Collecting feature: A distinctive feature that will tell you how far along your route you have come so far.

When selecting or discussing a route between two controls the orienteer should be able to identify the various handrails, catching features, and collecting features they will use (i.e. on the map) or the ones they did use. 

Note: It's important to remember that handrails, catching features, and collecting features are all concepts only applicable to a given route or leg and are meaningless concepts otherwise.