Route Finding and Navigation Freedom of the Hills

Route Finding and Navigation Freedom of the Hills Chapter 5

Route Finding determining the best path to take to reach your destination.

Get in the Know • Route finding begins at home • Everyone needs to know the route • Always be reassessing your rout

Where do we look to find routes? • Guide Books • Internet Sites • hikingproject. com • summitpost. org • bpbasecamp. freeforums. net • socalhiker. net • People who have been there • Clubs • Social Media • Businesses (REI, local shops, etc. )

Where do we look to find routes? • Maps • Hand Sketches • Forestry Map • Park Service Maps • Topographic Maps • Tom Harris Maps • Computer Software • Cell Phones

Navigation

What is a Map?

Map Legend Parts of a Map Name of Map Coordinates Map Scale Contour lines Declination Map Location Compass Rose Or North Arrow

Coordinates -Latitude & Longitude

Compasses

Parts of a Compass

Magnetic Declination • the difference of angle on the compass between Magnetic North and True North • This varies over years and based on your real location

Compass Adjustment Method

Following a Heading

Using a landmark

Questions? There is more, but I am probably out of time.

Intentional Offset 3 miles Which way do you turn? road 1 mile

You know to turn right! road Intentional Offset

You have missed! Now what? road Intentional Offset

You know to turn left, even if you miss by a lot. road Intentional Offset

I already have a GPS. Why do I need to learn to use a map and compass?

A GPS is a supplement for map and compass but not a replacement • requires batteries. • doesn’t work well in deep canyons or with heavy tree coverage. • can only guide you if you already have coordinates. • Many units can’t show terrain. • You must be moving to get a valid direction reading from most units.

Wagon Wheel Training Map clmrg. org/summerclass Week 3

Wagon Wheel Topo Map