Posted: 12/30/2008 12:15:19 PM EDT
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I know some of you are good at this important skill - where did you learn? Books, Boy Scouts, Military?? I am wanting to learn how - to. I ordered a book on the topic but just wanted to pick the SF brain for additional info.
Maybe Ops will offer a course again in 2009 at the next PA campout (and I will try again to attend)  .
Thanks for any insights...EdB |
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I had to learn by the book since i didn't have much practical experience or instruction to draw from. I'll paste some links I found helpful:
This is a good site I recently found. It focuses on the GI lensatic compass but is applicable on every other level. http://landnavigation.org/default.aspx And you gotta read the Army way (3-25.26) 
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/3-25-26/index.html Other sites: http://www.map-reading.com/intro.php http://www.survivaliq.com/navigation/training-strategy.htm Backcountry Navigation Navigation With Map and Compass For books, see if your library has "Be an Expert With Map and Compass" and the Sierra Club's Land Navigation Handbook: The Sierra Club Guide to Map, Compass and GPS (Sierra Club Outdoor Adventure Guide). |
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I know some of you are good at this important skill - where did you learn? Books, Boy Scouts, Military?? I am wanting to learn how - to. I ordered a book on the topic but just wanted to pick the SF brain for additional info. Maybe Ops will offer a course again in 2009 at the next PA campout (and I will try again to attend) .
Thanks for any insights...EdB We can do that! In the meantime, measure off a 100 meter course, and walk it, counting each time your left foot hits the ground. Walk it again in reverse order, and take the average, this is your pace count per 100 meters. Try it again with a pack and heavy boots. Remember your pace count, we will use it to keep track of how far you've traveled. Buy a decent Silva or military compass, and practice shooting a bearing to a distinct landmark. That's half the battle. Ops |
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Quoted: I know some of you are good at this important skill - where did you learn? Books, Boy Scouts, Military?? I am wanting to learn how - to. I ordered a book on the topic but just wanted to pick the SF brain for additional info. Believe it or not, I received my orienteering orientation through the gifted program and outdoors club in public school. This was back in the early 80's. I learned more, especially map reading, as a result of my interest in hunting. That's the only time I've been (cough, cough) lost in the woods and it was a day I left a compass and accurate map at home. Never since. It's a great skill to learn. Fun too. |
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Try US Orienteering
They have organized events - they make it easy for beginners and someone is usually there to help with basics and loaner compasses. In addition many local clubs set up permanent courses in local parks w/ appopriate scale topo's, marked control points and courses ranging in difficulty. You could run them anytime. Good family fun and definitely some challenge involved for harder courses. Good luck. |
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Scouting and the Military. . +1 +2 Keep in mind if you're using map and compass to get a good liquid dampened compass, ie Silva. Don't buy a cheapy. It's not worth the headache. Also keep in mind lines of declination. True north isn't always directly up on the map. This will help you a little but if you're in PA, don't sweat it much. Linky |
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Quoted:
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I know some of you are good at this important skill - where did you learn? Books, Boy Scouts, Military?? I am wanting to learn how - to. I ordered a book on the topic but just wanted to pick the SF brain for additional info. Maybe Ops will offer a course again in 2009 at the next PA campout (and I will try again to attend) .
Thanks for any insights...EdB We can do that! In the meantime, measure off a 100 meter course, and walk it, counting each time your left foot hits the ground. Walk it again in reverse order, and take the average, this is your pace count per 100 meters. Try it again with a pack and heavy boots. Remember your pace count, we will use it to keep track of how far you've traveled. Buy a decent Silva or military compass, and practice shooting a bearing to a distinct landmark. That's half the battle. Ops Thanks Ops - I'll try that a few times before the next camp out and hopefully my schedule will allow me to meet up with you guys whether its @ DavidC place (if he is his usual gracious self and hosts another campout) or another location. Also thanks for all the other replies - I never was in the military but I was a scout for several years. Obviously orienteering was NOT on my troops agenda and I had little exposure to it back then - now that I think of it, that's pretty eff'd up considering how often we camped...[>:/] |
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In scouting I learned to use a map and compass but the applications were always pretty basic. Otherwise, I've read a good bit on it and coupled that with a lot of field work which is what it takes. The key is to turn every outing into somewhat of an orienteering efforts (which it really is) even if you're staying on a known and established trail. Some things you can do include following your position on the map, identifying landmarks, comparing how something looks on the map vs. reality, understanding the contour lines on the map vs. what you see and identifying what looks like safe passage for some places you're not going.
The skill base is different based on the terrain and visibility (think flat, dense forest vs. sub-alpine) so you have to practice in differing situations. |
| The mil makes a chart called an EVC. Escape and Evasion Chart. If you get one and have a compass it has instructions how to find north and use the compass with the chart. Also has food for the local area and water sources along with dangerous animals. It is made of a water-proof material that is great for an emergency shelter or a moisture barrier to sleep on. Folds up and fits in a flight suit pocket or other small area. Great addition to any BOB. |