Content approved by Jerry Parker
One of the many things Boy Scouts learn is how to navigate in the wilderness. Whether you’re in the woods for the day or you’re going on an extended adventure of camping and hiking, you’ll need to know how to pinpoint your location and find your way around. Navigation often involves a compass and a map. Using these things, you’ll be able to triangulate, which is the process of determining your location by taking bearings.
Compass Skills
Having a compass in your backpack is important, but it’s not helpful if you don’t know how to use it. Once you know the basics of using a compass, you’ll need to practice with it to improve your compass skills. A standard compass has a clear base plate so you can set it over a map and see the map beneath it, a ruler to measure map distances, a direction of travel arrow that tells you the direction to point the compass when you’re following a bearing, a rotating bezel or azimuth ring with markings, an index line, a magnetized needle that points to the magnetic pole, an orienting arrow to orient the bezel, and orienting lines that rotate with the bezel. Knowing your declination value, which is determined by your geographic location, will enable you to know the difference between true north and magnetic north, which is where your compass needle will always point. Know how your compass adjusts for declination, as each one will be a little different. The first thing to do is to determine which way is north. If your compass has one needle, it’s pointing to magnetic north. If it has a double needle, the red one is pointing to magnetic north. After adjusting for magnetic declination, you should be able to pinpoint true north. Next, determine which direction you want to travel. For example, if you want to walk toward the southwest, stand so your compass needle points north across your right shoulder. Walk in this direction, glancing at your compass from time to time to make sure you’re not going off track.
- Basic Land Navigation
- How to Use a Compass
- Compass Reading and Pacing
- How to Use a Compass
- Compass Skill Activities
- Using a Compass
- How to Use a Compass: Three Easy Steps
- How to Use a Compass and Why You Should Learn
- Using a Compass Without a Map
- How to Teach Children How to Use a Compass
- Beginner’s Guide to Using a Compass
- How to Use a Compass
Map Skills
Knowing how to read and use a map is a foundational navigation skill that will serve you well. Orienting the map is the first step. Place your compass on top of your map so the direction of travel arrow points to the top of the map. Adjust the bezel or azimuth ring to align north with the direction of travel arrow. Move the compass base plate so one edge aligns with the left or right map edge. Keep the map and compass in position, and turn yourself so the magnetic needle moves to line up with the outline of the orienting arrow. Take a look around you now to notice landmarks, which you might also see labeled on the map. As you begin to walk, keep checking your map and compass to make sure you stay on track.
- How to Use a Map and Compass
- How to Navigate by Map and Compass
- Map and Compass 101
- Compass Basics: An Introduction to Orientation and Navigation
- Staying Found: Learn the Basics of Map and Compass
- Exploring Maps and Models of the Earth
- How to Read a Map: A Hillwalk Guide
- The Map and How to Use It
Triangulation
Triangulation begins by looking around to identify landmarks. With your properly adjusted compass, orient the map so map north faces true north. Direct the travel arrow on the compass toward a landmark, and rotate the bezel until the magnetic needle moves into the outline of the orienting arrow. Outdoor enthusiasts might describe this process as turning the bezel until “red is in the shed.” Set down the compass on the map so the orienting lines are parallel with north-south lines on the map. Slide the compass until the top base plate edge hits the landmark, but keep the alignment with the north-south lines on the map. Draw a line from the landmark to the edge of the compass. You now know that you are somewhere along this line. Now repeat the process with a different landmark. The point where the lines cross is approximately where you are.
- What Is Triangulation?
- Navigation: Fixes and Triangulation
- Getting to the Point
- What Is Triangulation?
- Triangulating Your Position in the Wilderness
- Trilateration vs. Triangulation: How GPS Receivers Work
- Triangulate: Topos, Compasses, and Triangles
- How to Find Yourself Using a Map and Compass
- Route-Finding Using Terrain Features and Triangulation
New York | Brooklyn | Queens | Long Island | New Jersey | Florida
Call us at: 1-800-YOURLAWYER (800-968-7529) | Schedule your free consultation
