Place the compass on the map so that either of the edges or one of the long lines of the base plate is touching both your starting point and finishing. May 20, 2019 interested in improving your navigation skills. Mar 05, 20 this is a lesson on map and compass navigation declination and finding map bearing. Part 1 basic land navigation on point preparedness. Everyone should know how to navigate with a map and compass, but surprisingly few can. However, if you are preparing for a camping trip, a compass is an absolute necessity, one. Amc map and compass course section hikers backpacking blog. Outdoor navigation with map and compass this manual can serve as. Online army study guide land navigation map reading. Then identify your current location and the location you want to reach on the map.
These devices have a mirror that flips up over the compass which. Amc map and compass class at harvard cabin in new hampshire. Maps a map is a two dimensional representation of an area of land, as if you were looking at it from above. Land navigation with a compass high country supply. Now turn your body so your compass looks like this. Once youve mastered orienting a map to the field using a compass, you can now use that map to reach a destination thats out of your sight. Weve teamed up with steve backshall to record a series of videos to remind you of the basics and help you feel confident with your map. Align edge of compass base plate and ns edge of map.
An instructional manual for personal development of your outdoor navigation skills, using map and compass, and 2. Map reading is an essential skill for any explorer or outdoor enthusiast. Backcountry navigation using the map, compass, gps and altimeter to find your way maps planimetric and topographic maps. Many teachers may want to have younger students draw maps of the classroom and plot particular objects on those maps. Important serviceability checks are outlined below. Land navigation handbook marine barracks washington, dc. Map area map series scale 1 inch 1 centimeter approximate name represents represents square miles puerto rico 7. Pdf be expert with map and compass download full pdf book. Take the time to go through this course at your own pace. Armywide implementation a mandatory core of critical map reading and land navigation tasks and a list of electives will be provided to each. The geospatial pdf extension has been around for a while now it came in with the pdf 1. Joe comuzzi and i taught the amcs map and compass course again last weekend at harvard cabin in pinkham notch, a 2day class which combines a morning of instruction with two hikes to practice offtrail compass and navigation skills. Jan 09, 2017 this navigation tutorial will explain how to use a topographic map with a compass. A ranger at tower a would see smoke in the distance and take a bearing to it on his compass.
Navigation is one of the ten essentials and most outdoor speople take a compass with them on every adventure. Youll need a compass and pencil to do some of the problems. A comparison scale of 1 to 2000 feet means that 1 one inch on the map is proportioned to 2000 feet on the ground. This videos purpose is to be a one stop shop to all of the basics you need to understand land navigation. What are the basic colors of a map, and what does each color represent. While entire books have been written about navigating with a compass, every compass. Goal to be fully versed and practiced in land navigation using a topographic map, magnetic compass, and a gps. How to do land navigation at basic training everything you need to know to pass. Innovative training devices and materials are being developed for use in the institution, rotc regions, and the field. Geological survey usgs fact sheet 03501 march 2001 part of a 7.
Bst infantry skills employ a map and compass us marine. The goal of orientation is to determine that precise point on the surface of the earth were you stand. These instructions are on the outer edges of the map and. If youre planning on using a map and compass to navigate through the bush, we highly recommend picking up a sighting compass also known as a prismatic or hand compass. Introduction to land navigation 201 correct grid azimuth. But at some point in time, outdoor enthusiast or not, youll want to be able to fi. During this field outing, well help you see three dimensions of the land in the two dimensions of a topographic map by teaching you how to read contour lines, landmarks and other map features.
Week five in our sixweek blog series on map reading skills focuses on the compass. This sheet covers the basic techniques and information needed to navigate using a map and a compass. Redbrown the colors red and brown are combined to identify cultural features, all relief. In todays modern world basic map and compass navigation are being replaced by the convenience gps, however when these miracles of technology fail its best to have a basic navigation skill set to fall back on. Sep 30, 2014 amc map and compass class at harvard cabin in new hampshire. Essentials this sheet covers the basic techniques and information needed to navigate using a map and a compass. Many people carry compasses without knowing how to use them. Below, well cover both the basics and finer points of compass navigation. Use a back azimuth if you need to verify you are still on your desired direction of travel. Hold map and compass together and turn until the compasss magnetic needle aligns with the compasss orienteering arrow red on red. To orient a map using a compass, first turn the compass dial so north is aligned with the direction of travel. How to do land navigation at basic training everything. Effects of errors, corrections and geometry in navigation.
The difference is referred to as the magnetic declination, which is discussed in chapter 4, using a. You use a compass to take a bearing to the distant object from two separate locations, find those two locations on a map, draw a line along each bearing taken, and where the lines intersect is where the distant object is located. Mar 10, 2014 map and compass navigation the basics posted on march 10, 2014 march 10, 2014 by treelinebackpacker everyone should know how to navigate with a map and compass, but surprisingly few can. It should take between three and eight hours to complete. A topographic map shows details of a portion of the earths surface drawn to scale. This selfstudy course was prepared specifically to introduce you to the basics of map interpretation, compass use, and familiarize you with the united states geological survey usgs topographic maps, and planimetric maps. Well also talk about magnetic north, true north, and magnetic variation. Basic mastery of the tools of land navigation map, compass, and protractor is absolutely necessary in order to ensure our success. During this field outing, well help you see three dimensions of the land in the two dimensions. Map and compass navigation the basics treelinebackpacker. Upper valley wilderness response team supporting the sar. Apr 08, 2020 and even in the age of gps and smartphones, the most reliable way to make sure that you stay on track is by using a map and compass.
This is a lesson on map and compass navigation declination and finding map bearing. Compass basics a compass is one of the most basic navigation tools any hiker can own. Learning how to use a compass is a basic skill, something everyone should know. Apr 24, 2017 once youve mastered orienting a map to the field using a compass, you can now use that map to reach a destination thats out of your sight. In other words, an oriented may will have the top part of the map pointing true north, and the right side pointing east. Supporting the search and rescue needs of nh and vt since 1995. Outdoor navigation with map and compass whatcom county. We hope youve enjoyed our guide on how to use a map and compass, and youll never lose your way again. In todays modern world basic map and compass navigation are being replaced by the convenience gps, however when these miracles of technology fail its best to have. Todays digital reliance on gps navigation has all but relegated compass and map use to hardcore outdoor enthusiasts, orienteering clubs, and geography buffs. Trigonometry in navigation, timedistance formulas and triangulation. First learn about maps, next the compass, then combine the two as outlined in this manual. Gps navigation with pdf maps on smartphones section hikers.
In this lesson this lesson is devoted to two of the most basic tools. Thats why a magnetized compass and a paper map and the navigational knowhow to use themare part of the ten essentials. Gps devices are great, but they can break, get lost, or easily be hampered by weather conditions, making basic map and compass skills essential for anyone who spends time outdoors. This tutorial will provide you with knowledge of map reading and the use of a compass and gps.
How to use a compass the most important piece of gear to help you find your way. A leaders guide for group instruction of outdoor navigation skills, with exercises and games that help make map and compass training a fun and sporting experience. These numbers give you a numerical angle of direction, or. It needs no batteries, works with any map, and even works without a map. Alright, so everyone knows a few fundamentals of navigation north is always up, the sun rises in the east, and compasses usually point towards magnetic north. Forest fire lookout towers used triangulation to locate spot fires. Those who explored and mapped out our great nation had no gps, only the maps they made and a compass to guide them. Thats why a magnetized compass and a paper mapand the navigational knowhow to use themare part of the ten essentials. And even in the age of gps and smartphones, the most reliable way to make sure that you stay on track is by using a map and compass. Most compass es are marked with the four cardinal pointsnorth, east, south, and westbut some are marked additionally with the number of degrees in a circle 360.
Nov 26, 2015 week five in our sixweek blog series on map reading skills focuses on the compass. What is the field manual for map reading and land navigation. On a lensatic compass there are two rings, an outer black ring and an inner red ring, what are they used for. Using a compass and a map posted on august 22, 2014. A great course for individuals new to navigating with a compass. Our map and compass course will introduce you to the techniques and tools essential for wilderness navigation. Tracking present locationdetermining distancesense of directionhow to read a topographic map terrain and map associationspatial skillsplanning safe, practical routesand more navigational skills.
Orienting a map is the process to correctly align it relative to the local surrounds. Jan 08, 2018 those who explored and mapped out our great nation had no gps, only the maps they made and a compass to guide them. In land navigation, an azimuth is defined as a horizontal angle measured clockwise from a north base line or meridian. Inspecting a compass part 1 basic land navigation compasses are delicate instruments and should be cared for accordingly. Be expert with map and compass available for download and read online in other formats. This single line was not enough information to locate the fire.
The classic map and compass navigation guiderevised for the age of gps. Usually a graphic scale is a line marked off on a map indicating so many inches or millimeters equal so many feet, kilometers, chains, or miles on the ground. How to use a compass navigating with a map and compass. There are three areas to focus on when learning to put these timetested navigation tools together. Orienteering as a tool to teach map reading and compass skills. Triangulation is the process of pinpointing the location of something by taking bearings to it from two remote points. Finding your campsite, a spectacular viewpoint or your way back out of the wilderness wont always be simple tasks. If you place your protractor down incorrectly on your map, the. Orient the map with the terrain, using the technique already described. Finding your way without map or compass gatty, harold on. How to read and use topographical maps, and how to use a compass. Land navigation skills importance many emergency situations will not become survival situations if you do not become lost. Black indicates cultural manmade features such as buildings and roads, surveyed spot elevations, and all labels.
A compass is one of the most basic navigation tools any hiker can own. Also, make sure the 0 or 360degree mark of your protractor is toward the top or north of your map, and make sure the 90degree mark is toward the right or east of your map. When you have eliminated the javascript, whatever remains must be an empty page. Take this quiz and see how much you and your scouts know about wilderness navigation. A detailed inspection is required when first obtaining and using a compass. In this era of technological gadgets, when everyone has a gps or a smartphone with navigation apps on it, you might think that an oldschool, basic compass is no longer needed. Apr 15, 2020 we hope youve enjoyed our guide on how to use a map and compass, and youll never lose your way again.
Importance land navigation is a skillset which takes time and practice in order to become proficient and confident. How to navigate by map and compass appalachian mountain club. Download pdf version download flashcards online flashcards email to a friend. Land navigation wit h a compass by terry haider can you find yourself on a map with a compass, or without, by looking at a map. There are many different types, but those used for navigation are drawn to scale. Tracking present locationdetermining distancesense of directionhow to read a topographic map terrain and map associationspatial skillsplanning safe, practical routesand more navigational skillsthe best way to learn land navigation is to get dirt time, that is, get out there with a map and compass.
Since maps are oriented towards true north, youll find life much simpler if the. Compass basics understanding and adjusting for declination orienting a map for north reference traveling to a target backstops, handrails and aiming off topo map basics pace counting finding yourself utm coordinate system using gps with a map. Download pdf be expert with map and compass book full free. Basic land navigation southeast missouri state university. Planimetric maps show the earths surface in a flat perspective topographic maps provide a third dimension all modern maps. Caltopo maps loaded on avenza on an iphone 7 plus has become my standard with map and compass backup, of course. Orientating a map using the lensatic compass 31 using a lensatic compass to. Information on wilderness navigation using map and compass.
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