- Check Point
(1) In orienteering, a check point is an obvious feature on the map or on the ground that is used to check that you are keeping to your chosen route. It's also called an "attack point", or a "catch point".
(2) A landmark, one that can easily be identified on the ground to let you know when to leave your "handrail" and begin a new course of travel.
(3) An easily identified landmark that lets you know when to leave your present course and take up a new heading.
Say that you are following a valley (your "handrail") and know roughly where you are. You see by your map that when you reach a stream you'll need to change course. That stream becomes your check point.
Handrails and check points make navigation easier and more reliable because you don't need to keep checking your position with a map and compass.
Similar terms are "Attack Point" and "Catch Point".
(1) I knew where to turn because I ran right into my check point. There's nothing like a mountain to give you your bearings.
(2) A check point is a reminder that a sanity check is due.
(3) We finally reached the check point with relief, because then we knew exactly where we were, and weren't.