You are still at Snowdrift Lake, you point your compass at a small glacier and find a bearing of 40º. Magnetized needle: The end that always points to the magnetic pole is usually colored red or white. If you don’t have a compass with adjustable declination, the traditional method is using addition and subtraction. It happens to the best of us – you miss a turn, wandered slightly off course and now find yourself in unfamiliar terrain. If you’re reading this article, you should already have a good compass with all the necessary features to make it useful in the backcountry. However, when transferring a bearing from the map to the field, you will have to adjust for declination. Great news is, I can take up hiking again. I really think my brother would love a nice compass and then he and I can learn how to do this together. That’s why I tried to break it down into a few different articles in the hopes that people would take it slow, get confident in one thing before moving on to the next. Unfortunately, this 'ible doesn't have much to do with using the coordinate grid on a map. You would then subtract 12º from 280º to adjust your bearing to true north. There’s a lot of good info on this website but there are probably a few things that you won’t be able to learn here as of yet. Set your compass on the map so that the straight side of the baseplate lines up between your current position (1a) and the map location for a destination like a campsite (1b). It needs no batteries, works with any map, and even works without a map! ), I think my brain has been stretched to its limit by this beautifully done post. Let’s start by explaining what some of the important features are. You must orient the line that you drew north to south instead of the meridian lines. Awesome, i’m glad you found this article helpful to you. How helpful was this article? In the continental U.S., declinations vary... 3. Hold the compass with the direction of travel arrow pointing away from you. When paired with a map, a compass can be as accurate as GPS, but some basic compass skills are necessary. Krik of Black Owl Outdoors thoroughly yet simply explains how to navigate with just a compass and a map. Adjust Declination. And if you need to brush up on your topo skills, click here to read this one. Now rotate the bezel until the magnetized needle is inside the orienting arrow. In that case, you should break the journey down into more manageable steps. So check the map’s revision date or, better yet, consult the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) magnetic declination. I’m so glad you will be able to hike again soon. With the information on this page, we aim to show you how to correctly use a compass. Outdoor School Instructor Lindsay McIntosh-Tolle (REI Portland, Ore.), teaches classes in map and compass navigation and has been finding her way into spectacular backcountry destinations for more than 18 years. Let’s try it step by step. North on a map is easy to find (it’s at the top). If you simply prepare each of your maps beforehand, then you don’t have to readjust declination at all. Using a Map and Compass. But in the real world, you’re usually not going to just follow a bearing that your friend tells you to follow. At the bottom of your map the declination scale gives you a magnetic declination of 12º East. Because of this, every time you transfer a field bearing to the map or vice versa, you need to adjust for declination. Finding your campsite, a spectacular viewpoint or your way back out of the wilderness won’t always be simple tasks. If you have a good plan, you will have a good trip! This is a very useful skill to have, thank you. You can essentially turn your plate compass into one with adjustable declination simply by drawing on it. You might be looking for villages, attacking mobs, or gathering materials. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); How to Use a Compass with a Map- Become a Navigational Superstar, But If you’re just getting started with a compass. Find Your Exact Position on a Map. Knowing how to use a compass, map and basic navigational skills will make getting lost far more difficult and make it easy to find the way home when the GPS decides to get lost or stop working. The quickest way to determine your location is to look for significant landmarks, both next to yourself and off in the distance. While entire books have been written about navigating with a compass, every new compass user needs to know the basic concepts. Just make sure to practice in low-risk situations, don’t just go off-trail in unfamiliar territory right from the start. I’m not familiar with the term Queen’s Scout but it sounds awesome. Then you can practice your skills in unfamiliar areas and still get some help in case you forget what to do or make a mistake. The skills you’ve learned will be solidified when you put them into action and practice. Just follow these steps. I have found better maps elsewhere, but the I have also seen elsewhere in the world have a fraction of the detail that the Ordnance Survey maps do, and often the detail that exists is of dubious accuracy. Switch camera. You should know how to take and follow a field bearing. A topo map is an indispensable navigational tool, but only if you know how to read it. Place your compass flush with the edge of the map so that the direction of travel arrow is pointing to the top of the map, and rotate the map and the compass together until the magnetic needle is in the orienting arrow or shed. The second is that the orienting arrow should generally be pointing north. Cancel. We to this point had only day hiked. In this video, Krik of Black Owl Outdoors uses a Silva Ranger 515 CL compass, explains the basic pieces of a compass, shows you how to orient the map to your location, determine the direction of travel you want to go and then navigate through the terrain to your destination. Before I get into how to triangulate your position on a map I want to go over a few of the basics of using a map with a baseplate compass so this all makes sense. A good compass and a map of the region are all you need for orientation and will you help navigate in terrains you’ve never been before. It has always been a dream of my husband’s and mine to hike for two or three days at a time, but then my knees gave out. I think that using a compass and a map sounds intimidating at first, but once you actually start doing it then it’s not as easy as it seems. If you learn to use and map and compass you'll never get lost again! Step 1: Line up your pointsTo take a bearing, you need to identify where you are on the map (point A) and where you want to go (point B).Make sure the map is on a flat surface and line up the edge of your compass with the line between point A and point B, making sure that the direction of travel arrow is pointing towards point B.Step 2: Align to grid northHold the compass still and turn the compass dial so that the ‘N’ magnetic point is facing to the top of the map (i.e. Now I am 71  and still recovering from a surgically repaired achilles rupture so will not be hiking for some time now. Beginners guide to using a compass Step 1: Line up your points. You should be able to draw a line along the edge, as if it were a ruler'which it basically is. Direction-of-travel arrow: Tells you which direction to point the compass when you’re taking or following a bearing. grid north). Start by finding a landmark that you can also identify on your map. Here in the UK we are lucky to have some of the best topographical maps in the world. Let's explore how to use a compass. If you’ve done this process correctly you can follow the bearing just like you learned to do in the 1st navigation post, and it will point you straight at Mount Wister. Understand the basic layout of the compass. An excellent use of a compass is to help you set the map, aligning it so that it corresponds to the surrounding landscape. #1 – Parts of a Compass. 7. And you should be familiar and confident with topographic map reading. Topo maps list it, but the value varies over time. It has a clear rectangular, plastic base that lets you see the features of the map while using the compass. Compass Basics. Congratulations! Awesome, I hope you have a great time practicing with your boys! 1. I think that using a compass and a map sounds intimidating at first, but once you actually start doing it then it’s not as easy as it seems. Now, there are a few things to take note of. Let’s say you took a field bearing of 280º and you want to transfer it to your map. If you had a declination of 12º West, you would add instead of subtracting. 5. It’s been years since I’ve done any orienteering, but this brought back a lot of memories. I love this map hack because it takes all the compass adjusting and math out of the equation. Via Michael Major. 2. Know where you are, and where you want to go, even when the batteries die. Get to Know the Parts of a Compass. Ever. Then identify your current location and the location you want to reach on the map. Simply mark the declination on your compass housing and use it in place of the orienting arrow. Thanks for this informative and educational article on How To Use Compass With A Map. It is a good idea when you are taking “off the beaten track” routes. This article is part of our series: Rotate the bezel so that N (north) is lined up with the direction of travel arrow. For example, instead of heading “northwest” to get to a campsite, you might follow a bearing of 315 degrees. Yes read the other posts that I’ve written, those are actually meant to be read first, so they will help you better understand this post. This is another important use for a compass and another important lesson well worth learning before you head bush. I had no idea there was so much involved with orienteering, tending mostly to walk in groups and along known routes. Please do pass the info along to your grandson. Hold your compass flat with the direction of travel arrow pointing away from you and directly at the landmark. We've been sharing our passion for the outdoors since 1938.Read our story, Join the REI Co-op community to get an annual dividend, access exclusives and give back. Let’s get started. If the lines form a very large triangle, recheck your work because you have at least one significant error. Because batteries can die and gadgets can malfunction. Videos you watch may be added to the TV's watch history and influence TV recommendations. Required Materials. Now that we’ve figured out declination, another important skill you need is orienting your map in the right direction. The direction of travel arrow is now facing the bearing you captured and you can follow it to your destination. b) Make sure that the direction arrows are pointing from the starting point to the place of destination (and not the opposite way). Thanks again, I look forward to hearing back from you. Using a compass in the outdoors is central to a lot of activities from hill walking, cycling and camping. 280º-12º=268º and this is the bearing you would plot on your map. A Beginners Guide to Backpacking – Money-Saving Hacks for the Broke Adventurer, 3 Day Backpacking Checklist – Don’t Forget the Important Stuff, All the World’s a Water Fountain – How to Purify Water for Drinking, How to Create Your Own Easy Backpacking Meals, How to Pack for a Backpacking Trip – The Abc’s of Healthy, Happy Packing, Survival Essentials List – Preparation is the Antidote to Disaster, Bear Country Safety – The Truth About Being Bear Aware, Don’t be a Popsicle – How to Stay Warm While Camping, good compass with all the necessary features, Collapsible Kayaks and Other Portable Watercraft, The Majestic Glymur Waterfall Hike – Iceland, Take Your Medicine – Mental Health and Nature. Go ahead and check out this post to see my recommendations on a good compass. Make sure the direction of travel arrow is pointing in the general direction of that campsite (in other words, it's not upside down). This article covers the following concepts: Also read our companion article, How to Use a Topo Map. This makes it much easier to relate the map to what you see on the ground. Bearings are always relative to a specific location. Your email address will not be published. You’ll need to combine your directional knowledge with a map that shows landmarks and routes. Once you’ve set your declination, map orientation is simple: Washington and Oregon Climbing Guidebooks, 609 reviews with an average rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars, How to Adjust the Declination on a Compass, Understanding and setting declination adjustment, Understanding bearings and how to use them. Now you can draw a line on the map along the straight edge of your compass (7a). Your own life or someone in your group could be saved by your ability to read a map and navigate your way to safety.. To become accomplished at taking bearings and converting them will require you to read carefully through the following directions and let the directions “sink in”. Because it is used for orienteering, a baseplate compass is designed to be used with a map. Slide the baseplate until one of its straight edges aligns with either the left or right edge of your map. Maybe you should share it with your classmates, they might find it helpful as well. It’s on my list. I always wanted a compass and then when you throw the math in there, I was kind of scared to be honest. Lifetime membership is just $20. In this guide, you will learn how to use a compass using a standard map compass. Warning: just skip the next few paragraphs to go straight to the easier methods. If that’s you then congratulations! T hey are light weight and take up little space, yet are very dependable and when used in conjunction with and Ordnance Survey map, will ensure you find your way to your destination. Alright, you know how to follow a field bearing, you’ve practiced having your buddy give you bearings and you’ve followed them. We’re now going to show you how to use a map and compass together. Also, map orientation is less relevant when working with a compass as a measuring tool- so long as the compass and map are oriented relative to each other, like step 3. The Map . No worries Netta, I know it can be overwhelming at first. 1. However I have a 17 year old grand son who is an avid back packer/ hiker and is currently doing his Queens  Scout  so I will pass this information on to him. Orient Your Map. If it is pointing south, it is still possible to make the meridian lines point straight up and down, but your bearing will be 180º off. Orienting yourself with the compass and map . Put the compass on your palm and watch the magnetic needle. And if you need to brush up on your topo skills. Now you have the map oriented correctly and can identify nearby landmarks on it. That sounds like an awesome class! This was absolutely fascinating to read. (Sigh!). Now I have one new replaced knee and will be getting a second one within the year. Step 1: First, get what you need: your compass, map, a long piece of string, and the declination of the area. Orienting lines: Parallel lines that rotate with the bezel; correctly aligning these with the north-south lines on a map aligns your orienting arrow with north. If you don’t have one yet, read How to Choose a Compass. In Minecraft, you can use a compass when you get lost and need to find your way back to your World spawn point.