Compass Navigation - How to Use a Map and Compass
 Do you know which hiking trail you should take and in which direction you should walk?
How do you "see" in mist and cloud or even in darkness? The answer is to learn compass navigation (that is, how to use a map and compass together).
A compass is an indispensable navigation tool that every hiker should carry and know how to use. Firstly remember that a compass always points to magnetic north and maps are printed with north at the top. See
Finding North
for more information.
How do I take a compass bearing using the map and then follow it on the ground from A to B? It is really quite easy!
Place the long edge of your compass so that it sits on a straight line from A to B on the map with the compass direction arrow pointing in the way you want to go i.e. to point B. Ignoring the compass needle turn the circular compass housing so that the lines on it are parallel with the grid lines on the map AND the red marker (not the needle) points north i.e. to the top of the map. Double check the two points above then take the compass off the map. Adjust for
Magnetic North.
Hold your compass flat with the direction arrow pointing away from you. Slowly move the whole compass until the needle aligns itself inside the red pointer on the compass housing. Your compass is then pointing at point B and that is the direction you follow.
Some additional points to remember on compass navigation! Provided you have correctly carried out the above points – always trust your compass. Practise points 1 to 7 above at home and on walks until you can navigate instinctively with the compass. Mist can be disorientating especially coming off the top of a mountain. My advice is to get into the habit of always checking your direction from every main summit. Occasionally place your compass on the map and "set" your map so that it points north. Landmarks can then be identified and help to confirm your position and direction. In mist and cloud you should not blindly follow the compass bearing from A to B without first checking the map to determine the nature of the land in between. There might be a cliff or a deep gulley in the way requiring you to walk around the obstacle by taking several compass bearings to intermediate points. In thick mist/cloud follow the compass bearing to a boulder or an isolated tree etc. that you can see and walk to it. Then follow your compass bearing to the next point in line and so on. This prevents you drifting off course. If the area is fairly featureless and you have a companion hiking with you – ask them to walk off in the general direction you want and then correct their course by shouting left or right etc. When they are nearly out of sight, because of the mist, stop them. Walk up to them, take another bearing and send them off again. Performed carefully this method works very well in practise. Keep your map in a waterproof map case such as made by Ortlieb.
Care of and tips on compasses:
Look after the compass and do not drop it or have it banging around in transit otherwise its magnetism could be affected. For the same reason do not store it near electronic devices such as cameras, GPS or mobile phones. Buy a good quality compass such as the Silva range so that needle settles down quickly when the compass is moved.We particularly like the Silva Eclipse 96 GPS with special scales for defining coordinates which are great for using with a GPS. The romer scale markings on the compass plate help you measure grid references accurately.
The compass below is a Silva Ranger 515 CL. Click on the image below for more details!
 
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