Choosing a route is simply what the title says, but what would the best route be? while choosing the route, you'd need to take in account of what would be the easiest and most effective path to take. You may use a path that avoids trees and big rocks, but you might have to go uphill the entire time.
Thumbing the map is when you would use your thumb to orientate the map to show which way you are facing and where you may be currently. You would use your thumb and move it along with the path to get to your current spot and which way you should go next.
A handrail is an identifiable object on a map which can be used, as the title suggests, as a handrail. You can stick by this object to know where you are. These objects can be lakes, fences, roads, paths etc.
Attack points are features that are right next to the control points which can guide you right to the exact point the control point is. These attack points may be a little shed or building or a big tree marked on the map.