Map Reading/use of a compass?

[Burt]

Hi everyone,
Does anyone know of any info online regarding using a simple map & compass? I have experience in using one, albeit a while ago and I am quite rusty! I cant seem to find anything anywhere near in depth.The places i looked can only tell you how to do a six figure grid....need a bit more.

Are there any military handbooks about?

Cheers All.

[g4ghb]

what you need is Eric Langmuir's mountaincraft and leadership or Peter Croft's Mountain Navigation mate!


hope this helps!

[Shewie]

Yeah I agree with Graham - Eric Langmuirs mountaincraft and leadership is an absolute must for anybody spending time outdoors. It`s well written and full of useful and practical information.

[match]

There's a good extract from 'The baclkpackers' field manual' by Richard Curtis available online at Prineton University:

http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/manual/mapcompass.shtml

Part 1 is about map reading - 2 and 3 are about compasses and compass-map combinations.

Ideal for brushing up on these skills!

[SMARTY]

You could try to track down an orienteering club near you for some face to face advice / tuiton.

[Chopper]

Are there any military handbooks about?

Cheers All.

I used to teach navigation to Scouts and their leaders, you would be suprised how many scout leaders cant navigate to save their lives, anyway I thought that I would brush up on the mils system as I had not used it for a while, so after searching the web for hours and found nothing I contacted my local Army barracks and asked if I could take a look at their manual, the very nice Staff Sargent actually lent this manual to me for four weeks, it comprised of FIVE A4 lever arch files cramed full of the relevenat info needed to teach this to an absolute beginner. Talk about confusing

The moral of this story is, stick to the suggested web site and forget the Military manuals.

[British Red]

Hi everyone,
Does anyone know of any info online regarding using a simple map & compass? I have experience in using one, albeit a while ago and I am quite rusty! I cant seem to find anything anywhere near in depth.The places i looked can only tell you how to do a six figure grid....need a bit more.

Are there any military handbooks about?

Cheers All.

Ordanance survey do a reasonably priced CD ROM interactive tutorial. It comes with a map and you get practical things to try out and quiz's etc. Not everything but a good place to start

[hawsome34]

I have a few books covering navigation, as I used them in my previous job a great deal.

Eric Langmuirs Mountain Craft is very good, but there is a better book with more detail and description.

The book is called 'Map and Compass' (The art of Navigation) by Pete Hawkins. It is published by Cicerone. And retails @ £12 usually. To give you an idea of the content here are the chapter titles

1. Why Learn to navigate
2. Introducing the map
3. Map Detail
4. Grid Lines and References
5. Understanding Contours
6. Planning your Walks
7. Introducing the Compass
8. What do we mean by a Bearing
9. Walking with your Compass
10. Timing, Pacing and Other Techniques
11. On Getting Lost
12. Rain, Mist and Darkness
13. Navigating Abroad
14. GPS and Other technology
15. Further Practice

Each Chapter starts basic and goes into depth.

I would definately recommend this book to anybody who wants to gain, test or pass on skills in a methodical way.

You can find it much cheaper on Amazon last i looked it was from £6.94

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...294487-6727041

Good Luck, any questions fire away mate.

[rich59]

Burt,

I have another thought. Put "map compass quiz" into google and pick and choose the quizes that are at your level. That will focus you on what you need to know and you could then do some searches to find the answers.

[Burt]

Cheers all,
Appreciate the help, I will try the freebie links first, then think about the book. The orienteering has sparked my interest, ages since I did any but I seem to remember enjoying it! (I might have a job finding an organisation in the flatlands though).

[Burt]

Thanks Richard I'll do that!

[redcollective]

I second the recommendation for the Pete Hawkins book. It's simple, very well illustrated, and covers the important stuff.

After reading it, you can take your compass to your local hill, with a copy of your relevant OS map and the book in a plastic bag, and practice hitting points selected off the map, like the corners of fences and sheep enclosures, that sort of thing.

[Siecroz]

Hi Burt

How in depth do you want to go?? Being a Staff Sergeant Instructor (cadets) myself I train and assess Map & Compass/Navigation on a regular basis. Copies of the Map & Compass manuals that were reffered too are sat in a box down in the cellar.

I might be able to sort something out for you

[KenC]

I was on the "Silva" website not too long ago, and I seem to remember really simple step-by-step (inc. diagrams) instructions for taking bearings etc.

Ken.

[Adi]

Here is a link you could try http://www.learn-orienteering.org/old/ It covers the basics.

Forget the books it is best to go out with someone who has experience in navigation and have them teach you. You will learn much more that way.

[BorderReiver]

I've got an interactive CD "The Art of Outdoor Navigation" that you are welcome to borrow.

[gordy1]

The Silva website has some handy videos to download

[Alchemist]

I have some stuff on my computer if you want me to attach it to an email.
It is fairly detailed but it doesnt cover absolutely everything a book will.
I think it will help clear up the rust.

[Burt]

Yeh you can attach to an e-mail, I have bordereiver's CD, but the more the merrier!

Cheers

Burt

[miniac]

you could try www.ordnancesurvey.gov.uk

I have used stuff from there to help teach explorer scouts