Stupid Compass Question

“OK, Dumb question -
My hiking partner is an experienced hiker. So he always carries the maps and compass. However, I never learned how to use a compass correctly. Can anyone direct me to a FAQ on the web that explains how. I don't want to have to rely on my partner to read that thing.

Thanks in Advance.”

“Ever think of asking him? I wouldn't rely on somebodies crummy faq page for something like that! See if there's an in person course you could sign up for.”

“He explained it to me briefly once - but he rushed and confused me. Do you ever have one of those friends that always look over your shoulder and are like "No, No you are doing it wrong ..."

This is why I am looking for an alternate teaching method :).”

“Sounds like me and the wife. Just kidding, dear.”

“Get a copy of the Boy Scouts of America Orienteering Merit Badge book. Library often have these. They are also available at your local BSA Office. They are written for youngons so they are easy to understand.”

“First skill to learn:
Hold the compass in front of you with the big arrow (not the spinney needle) pointing away from you. That is the direction you are facing. End of lesson one.”

“Mtn Gal, Great idea! I've found a link to a tutorial which may prove to be useful. compass tutorial”

“I respectfully disagree with Ken. I am not a compass commando by any stretch of the imagination, but I can hold my own.

Punch in "compass" at yer favorite search engine -
that's what I did about 2 years ago...
there's a wealth of information out there in cyber space.

Search the TT threads for "The Eleventh Commandment" to read my personal testimony.
(or was it "Obey Thy Compass?)

Practice makes perfect.”

“Uh, seriously:

Get one or two books:
Maps & Compasses by Blanford / Be Expert With Map & Compass by Kjellstrom.

yeah, you'll kill a weekend reading and practicing, but at least you'll know what you're doing. . .”

“I got some stuff on my site SGT Rock's Hiking HQ

I haven't finished it yet, but it gives you a good idea about how to determine where you are, or how to get where you want to go.”

“Declination, The declination gets them every time. The declination changes everyday so those 20 year old topos are not too accurate.

Here is a site that will give you the correct declination by date. Link to Declination Page.”

“REI often has inexpensive mini-courses; you may want to do that for hands-on.

Otherwise, I've found a good book to be
Land Navigation Handbook by W.S. Kals, pub. Sierra Club Books. Gets pretty detailed towards the end, like competition and stuff, but is easy to read and follow otherwise.”

“When looking at the map, use your compass and orient the map wrt north...It doesn't have to be perfect. Hold the map and either spin your body or the map till it's oriented northward. Only then should yo begin to use the map.

It's also important to know where you are on that map, which means frequently looking at it.

When you have the map oriented correctly, and you know where you are, you can then figure where/which direction you want to go from the map and head in that direction on the ground.

If you an see around you, use surrounding topographic features you can see, and find them on the map, and this'll give you a close idea of where you are on the map.

Oh yeah...for heavens sake, use topographic maps (like a USGS 7.5 min Quadrangle).”

“1. But a compass

2. Read the instruction booklet.”

“Never use your Butt on a compass, it will never work right again.”

“Your butt or the compass?”

“Well, if your a man, your butt always works right. So I would say the compass.

As for women, I don't know.”

“I'm an Eagle scout, so I know compasses backwards and forewards. Trust me, it's easier to learn by doing then by explaining. Take your compass and just mess around taking bearings off of stuff in your yard.”

“A follow up to Mtn Gal's post...instead of the BSA Orienteering Merit Badge Book, (a good idea by itself), consider getting a copy of the Boy Scout Handbook. Has the basic compass / orienteering stuff, and a whole lot of the outdoor basics that ANYONE should know if they're out on the trail...”

“The BSA field guide is another lesser known book that goes into some more advanced stuff. It's a realy good resource too.”

“DM is right on. The Field Guide is MUCH better than the handbook, IF you can find it. Unfortunately BSA is downplaying it a bit. Too bad, it's one of the best overall resources available.”

“lol! Good question running girl.

Nice to know a man's butt always works right... (at least according to SGT ROck). Definition of what is "right" could be up for debate though... ! ;-)”

“I agree with burnt toast. Maps & Compasses Is a great starting point.

Now my wife says, "Give him a topp & compass and he can find his way--put him in a mall parking lot & he's lost. " She right & I started with Maps & Compasses.”

“You could contact spam and enlist. The army has an excellent land nav training program.”

“Army's system is called GPS. They're still working on the sun thing.”

“Actually trinity, i spent two days learning traditional orienteering skills,and a few minutes on gps. We depended on compasses for most of our needs and used a gps to verify.”

“Well hyper I hope you learned more than the 23 army ranger want-to-be I had the miss fortune to have spent last weekend with. Non came with a compass, only one could tell me how to find north using a stick and the sun. When it came to map reading, they knew what all the lines ment and could sure as hell find their way down the mt. Most of them will make good soldiers in time just like we all did.”

“Have you ever seen "the little black box" that the air force uses to verify GPS locations? It is basically a mass suspened on sensors that measure accelerations in 3d and can pinpoint location given an initial point. It's really rather neat.”