07-01-2013, 11:34 AM
Nice video, should help a lotta people getting started.
Having that basic knowledge of direction will help orient yourself if lost.
Any compass will point "north" for you, so dont blow a lotta $$ right away.
The next big hurdle is understanding geography... reading a map!
Its how to answer "where am I? & where do I wanna go?"
Forget attempting topography lines on a USGS map in the wilderness-
Start with a basic street map layout at first and orient yourself about town.
Learn major landmarks, associate them with directions: N-E-S-W
The big church to the north, gas station on west, etc...
Practice driving with direction "headed east to get to the highway"
Once you are comfortable with that, then try venturing into a wooded park.
Use a generic map of the park to show the roads and park boundaries.
Things get different when its JUST the compass guiding you out...
Least this way you know you cant get dangerously lost?
Topography takes time- its a map of the elevation of the land (3D references on paper)
With that level of orienteering, you can find natural landmarks in the wilderness.
Start slow and buddy up with someone who knows?
It can be a lotta fun!
Having that basic knowledge of direction will help orient yourself if lost.
Any compass will point "north" for you, so dont blow a lotta $$ right away.
The next big hurdle is understanding geography... reading a map!
Its how to answer "where am I? & where do I wanna go?"
Forget attempting topography lines on a USGS map in the wilderness-
Start with a basic street map layout at first and orient yourself about town.
Learn major landmarks, associate them with directions: N-E-S-W
The big church to the north, gas station on west, etc...
Practice driving with direction "headed east to get to the highway"
Once you are comfortable with that, then try venturing into a wooded park.
Use a generic map of the park to show the roads and park boundaries.
Things get different when its JUST the compass guiding you out...
Least this way you know you cant get dangerously lost?
Topography takes time- its a map of the elevation of the land (3D references on paper)
With that level of orienteering, you can find natural landmarks in the wilderness.
Start slow and buddy up with someone who knows?
It can be a lotta fun!