Map and compass skills

**Oscar Wilde** · 05-18-2012, 11:59 PM

Originally Posted by myakka62

.... I think I need to practice going through the woods

It's a different world than walking the pavement. Sometime when your walking, take notice of how far above the ground you raise your foot to take the next step. Not much really, a 1/4 of an inch? Some folks just clear enough to keep from dragging their feet. In the woods you'll be doing some high steppin by comparison .... and you'll get some excellent conditioning.

O.W.

**dalewick** · 05-19-2012, 01:18 AM

Oscar, Hope this makes sence to everyone. Even after all these years I break things down military style.

Sun, watch and stars method for navigation.

I’ll try to explain these methods as simply as possible for anyone that’s not familiar with them. I’ll start with the daytime method of sun and watch. This method is more accurate the farther away from the equator you are. Where ever you’re at you know that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Knowing this, as long as you have an analog watch (with hands) and the correct time, for that timezone, you can get fairly accurate compass directions. In the northern hemisphere hold your watch horizontally and point the hour hand at the sun. Imagine a line bisecting the hour hand (90 degrees and 270 degrees). This gives you your North South line. If you have any confusion as to which end is north, just remember the sun comes up in the east and sets in the west. With this information, knowledge of where you’re at and where you want to go, you can figure a general azimuth and go.

Using the stars is only possible with a clear enough sky to see the necessary constellations or the North Star (Polaris). To find the North Star draw an imaginary line from the bottom star of the big dipper to the top star in the dipper of the big dipper and beyond. Cross sect this line with a line coming from the center star of the constellation Cassiopeia and the star that crosses both lines is Polaris. Once you have north, use it the same as with the watch method to figure your direction of travel. As long as you can figure the 4 directions of the compass and imagine the degree points in the compass. It works very well. If you have a paper or plastic compass showing the actual degrees on it this can be a very accurate orienteering method. Add a map and the knowledge of where your starting from and you can go anywhere in the world.

I didn’t touch on the star method for the southern hemisphere as it is more drawn out and uses the Southern Cross. If I told you everything, what would you have to research.

Hope this made sense.

Dale

**Griptilian** · 05-22-2012, 08:40 AM

They (U.S. Army) sure drilled that in our heads about maps, compasses, landmarks, etc. Hard to find one of those old Army compasses that I used while I served. 71-76.

**Oscar Wilde** · 05-22-2012, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by dalewick

Hope this makes sense to everyone....

Thanks for the lesson Dale. It makes perfect sense to me .... now to find a reliable watch with sweeping hands.

O.W.

**Applejack** · 05-24-2012, 02:35 PM

OK, I have been working with learning to use the compass, but the one my husband has is hard to see as it is old and the glass top on it has yellowed. I have looked at some but was wondering if there was one that is better than some I've seen.
Applejack

**Oscar Wilde** · 05-24-2012, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by Applejack

.... the one my husband has is hard to see as it is old and the glass top on it has yellowed.

Applejack

Here is a page of some that are worthwhile. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...ywords=Compass

O.W.

**Applejack** · 05-24-2012, 06:29 PM

Thanks O.W. I found one that looks like an easy one to use and ordered it. Also ordered some waterproof matches and fire starters for good prices. this was a great site.
Applejack

**hminus** · 05-26-2012, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by dalewick

O.W., I can if anybody wants. It's actually a fairly simple skill set. Learned it a few moons ago. I think it is in both the army's orienteering and survival FM's. Chapter 18 in FM 21-76 if I remember correctly. If there is any real interest I can start a new thread or try an article. Let me know.

We have a few articles on the main page - http://www.survivalmagazine.org/cate...nd-navigation/. We could use some more..