Map and compass use is one of the most overlooked skill sets and a perishable one as well if not regularly practiced. Today we have GPS, cell phones, downloadable maps, etc but those don't mean anything if you don't know the basics of navigation. How to orient a map, triangulate to find your position, plot a course, use waypoints, take a bearing, shoot an azimuth, pace count, read a map, and more. These are the basics that every outdoorsman should know and practice with. GPS batteries can die, cell phones lose service and die, downloadable maps rely on batteries that, well die... You see the trend when you depend on technology to make up for lack of basic skills...
Some tools for navigation include:
Maps in either waterproof cases or laminated
Compasses with sighting mirror
Notebooks and pencils/pens
Light with a red lens for low ight signature.
Pace beads.
Map measuring tools such as ruler (the side of your compass will have a ruler for this), protractor, or even a piece of string.
Comments