[at-l] Map & Compass Work

[icw39@ncfreedom.net (Clark Wright)]

The ONE time I used my compass on the AT last year was early on, and for
my trouble, I got lost for 30 minutes.  This happened at a road
crossing, and before my stupid brain had figured out that when the ALDHA
guide [for NOBOs] says go "east" 1/2 mile to a country store, that means
turn RIGHT no matter what your "real" direction is! :)  I, being unsure
of where I was and by myself, took the time to pull out my trusty boy
scout compass and, of course, turned "east;" 30 minutes later, I finally
figured out that - in this particular case, "east" per the guidebook
meant "west" per my compass - and, darn it, yes if I was still bothering
to carry a map this would not have happened.  But, on the other hand, I
would not have met that friendly couple in the Chevy Blazer who drove me
around and chatted about our common profession - can you actually
imagine that I got some real trail magic from a fellow lawyer!? :)

hike on,

thru-thinker

Shane Steinkamp wrote:
> 
> > Confession:  although I've had some basic
> > instruction, I don't think I ever
> > "got it" on the map & compass bit.
> 
> > How have you learned to use a compass?  Is there
> > a best way to learn?  All
> > suggestions welcome.
> 
> Joan,
> 
> For a very long time my trail name was (and supposedly still
> is, even though I haven't used it for a long time),
> "Navigator".
> 
> The best way to learn is by doing.
> 
> The hardest thing to teach people (ergo the hardest thing to
> learn) is that the MAP is NOT the TERRITORY!  The map is
> only a metaphor.  People get into a lot of trouble because
> they point to a spot on a map and say, "I am right here."
> In reality, you shouldn't think of yourself as on the map.
> Rather you should think of yourself as in the territory.
> While it is a subtle distinction, it's worth thinking about.
> Don't hike the map: hike the territory.
> 
> A compass is a device that has one purpose and one purpose
> only:  To point to magnetic north.  True north and magnetic
> north are not the same thing, so if your map is marked with
> both, be sure of that you are looking at.  Once the compass
> points north, you can use that reference to orient the map.
> Once you have oriented the map, you can observe how the map
> relates to the territory.  Then, using the marks on the
> compass, compute your course.  I think that exactly how to
> do this would be beyond the scope of email, so try these
> resources:
> 
> http://www.learn-orienteering.org/
> 
> If you really want to go crazy over navigation, go here:
> 
> http://williams.best.vwh.net/avform.htm#Intro
> 
> I'll also go so far as to give advice:  There are four
> elements in navigation:  The compass, the map, the
> territory, and you.  Always believe the territory, and
> always believe the compass.  You and the map can be wrong.
> (Well, sometimes the compass can be wrong, but you won't
> experience that problem on the AT...)  The territory is
> never wrong.  If you see a mountain, then that's where it
> is.  (Except for a mirage, which you won't experience on the
> AT...)
> 
> If you are hiking near either pole, and you follow a
> straight line course based on the compass, you will spiral
> in towards the pole.  (Never had this problem myself...)
> 
> Compasses can be wonderful things, they can also break.  You
> should be sure to learn to determine your course without
> one.  Both during the day and at night, both in clear skies
> and overcast.  I always carry a small spare, just because
> I'm paranoid...
> 
> Hope this helps...
> 
> Shane
> 
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