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Compasses
If you love hiking, then chances are you also like
heading off into the backcountry, away from all the
hustle and bustle of modern life. To do that
successfully, at some point you will need to use some
sort of navigational aid. It could be a map, a compass,
a GPS unit or a combination of all three. So how can you
make sure you navigate your way successfully using these
tools?
Getting lost is one of the worst things that can happen
to an outdoor enthusiast. One minute you're enjoying
yourself hiking, hunting, orienteering, climbing or
camping, and before you know it, you have no idea where
you are. That's why it's so important to learn how to
navigate successfully. And although a GPS unit can be
good, the best way to navigate without having to rely on
satellite reception or power is using a compass.
Learning to navigate successfully can save your life,
especially if you like to hike and climb in some of the
more remote areas.
One on the most important things about navigation using
a compass is that it's not something you should only
start to do once you realize you're lost. In fact, you
should constantly be referring back to your compass to
make sure you're heading in the right direction. If you
do that, your chances of not getting lost in the first
place are considerably higher.
It's also a good idea to learn how to navigate
successfully using a compass long before you head off
into the backcountry. It's a bit too late to start
trying to figure out what to do once you're already
lost. There are plenty of classes and clubs where you
can learn how to use a compass properly, so take the
time to learn the basics. Any good navigation class will
also teach you how to read maps properly, and how to use
them together with a compass properly so that you don't
get lost.
There are a few other basics to remember when navigating
using a compass. Firstly, trust your compass. Forget
your instincts - if they were that good, you wouldn't
have gotten lost in the first place. Secondly, orient
your map to the landscape. This means that you should
find north using your compass, and then turn the map so
that north on the map points in the same direction. This
really helps make it easy for you to identify features
on the map in the landscape around you.
Finally, make sure you understand about declination.
This is definitely something you will probably only
learn about in a navigation class! Basically, it's the
difference between true north and magnetic north. It can
make a huge difference when you're navigating using a
compass, so find out about it and make sure you
understand how to apply it in various situations. Most
GPS systems allow for declination, but again, don't rely
on your GPS to find your way. You must be able to
navigate for yourself.
Traveling in the backcountry, soaking up the isolation
of nature, can be a truly wonderful experience. It can
also be a nightmare if you're not prepared, and don't
know how to navigate with a compass. Spend some time
learning the basic skills of navigation, and your next
backcountry experience will be the exciting adventure
you're hoping for.
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