This article builds up a sketch of the vertical movements within knowledge to argue for the importance of abstract systematised knowledge within horizontal knowledge domains such as geography. Unfolding as a narrative, the first section draws on realist theories of knowledge to discuss the basis for two contrasting directions of epistemic movement and the value of the notion of epistemic Self. The second stage turns to critical realist thought to give more insight into the nature of geographical knowledge as a horizontal knowledge structure. Third, the importance of curriculum knowledge reaching to the level of underlying abstract generative structures is explained through consideration of critical realist depth ontology. Finally, the iterative relationship between the two movements is explained in the context of pedagogy. In this way the article argues for the importance of attending to the vertical movement within a horizontal knowledge domain.