Mar 11
11
Learn How to Use a Compass and Read a Map
Suunto Compass
While we’re all waiting for the spring thaw to get out on the trail in our favorite season, we can be honing our outdoor skills. I’m thinking this is a perfect time to talk about things like using a compass and reading a map. Everyone that ventures outdoors should know how to do this even if they own a GPS or know their hike like the back of their hand.
This is probably one of the most useful skills you can teach yourself to avoid a potentially dangerous and scary predicament like getting lost. Knowing how to navigate and find your way is going to give you peace of mind and add another tool to your hiking arsenal.
I have to confess that this is one area where I feel vulnerable. Although I have taken some mountaineering courses and learned some great skills for the outdoors, map and compass reading is an area where my knowledge falls short. I vow to learn how to read a topo map better and use my compass with the map this season.
Last summer we were hiking Mt Elbert which is the highest point in Colorado and fog rolled in on our way down and we couldn’t tell which way was which. This made me extremely nervous because if you just keep walking and you can’t see more than a foot in front of you, one misstep could mean a long, long fall. We did have a map and I’m pretty certain a compass but don’t feel comfortable yet on how to use them.
You can discover how to navigate with map and compass in your own living room with some good basic pointers. I’ve just seen the website by Compass Dude (found this site from Tom Mangan’s hiking site) and he has tons of articles and tips about this subject. I’m going to learn all I can from this site. Thanks Tom!
