Compass Work

[jarheadcatfan]

I suppose this fits in this category. Any of you practice and Map/Compass skills? Can you non-military shoot an azimuth? This is a skill I think most could use more practice in.

 

[45fan]

I went through all that back in the day, but I have to admit, my map&compass skills need polishing up. It would probably help if I looked into finding a military topo map of my AO, as that would be what I am most familiar with.

 

[flatlander]

Still pretty good. Use a GPS as back-up only.

Bob

 

[jeremy]

This is the UGGS Link for Topo Map Downloads now you just need to find a Print Shop to make it to Scale for you...

The USGS Store - One stop shop for all your maps, world, United States, state, wall decor, historic, planetary, topographic, trail, hiking, foreign, satellite, digital

 

[Stschil]

Thanks for posting that link, Jeremy! This is a tad bit easier than gettting my son to acquire them for me at Ft Cambell. Especially now, since he just shipped out to the sandbox for tour #4.

 

[Grizhicks]

Couple of suggestion:

Be An Expert with Map and Compass, by Bjorn Hjellstorm, about $8 at Amazon

Indian Crossroads Orienteering (https://sites.google.com/a/indyo.org/indiana-crossroads-orienteering/home)

Or do a search for orienteering clubs; most have beginning clinics from time to time, and also beginner courses.

Hope this helps, Greg

 

[westfork]

one might also look at a boy scout merit badge book for orienteering. that's where i learned how to do it. it's kind of like riding a bicycle once you learn the different things you can do with a decent compass and topo map.

 

[jeremy]

Thanks for posting that link, Jeremy! This is a tad bit easier than gettting my son to acquire them for me at Ft Cambell. Especially now, since he just shipped out to the sandbox for tour #4.

No problem!
I have TONS of links and info...

 

[Bigdee06]

No problem!
I have TONS of links and info...

That is a great link, if you haven't already would you post the other links in the sticky section of Survial and Disaster Prepardness section? I think it still have a little room on my external drive that needs to be filled with some more info.

 

[singlesix]

Join a Orienteering Club or do some events. I did this in H.S. and it helped me a lot during my Army days.

ICO

 

[Icarry2]

I keep this as part of my digital and paper library, not that I have forgotten but then I just haven't been hit on the head that hard yet..

FM 21-26 - Map Reading and Land Navigation - ENLISTED.INFO

You can find other good manuals, here US Army Manuals (Field/Training Manuals)

 

[mammynun]

I went through all that back in the day, but I have to admit, my map&compass skills need polishing up. It would probably help if I looked into finding a military topo map of my AO, as that would be what I am most familiar with.

MyTopo | Custom Topo Maps, Aerial Photos, Online Maps, and Map Software is great. You pick the location, size, and scale. They'll even waterproof it for you.

 

[miguel]

Couple of suggestion:

Be An Expert with Map and Compass, by Bjorn Hjellstorm, about $8 at Amazon

Indian Crossroads Orienteering (https://sites.google.com/a/indyo.org/indiana-crossroads-orienteering/home)

Or do a search for orienteering clubs; most have beginning clinics from time to time, and also beginner courses.

That's a good book, but be sure to get the printed edition, not the ebook. It comes with a sample map, which isn't included in the ebook version, although after several emails with the publisher (Wiley) they agreed to send me a copy. (which they roughly tore out of a printed copy...)

For anyone in central Indiana, ICO is having an event at Marott Park in Indianapolis, just north of Broad Ripple, on Saturday, June 11: 6/11/11 - Marott Park - ICO

 

[hooky]

I've been brushing up. My son and I will be headed to Yosemite for his 16th b-day and he's going to be doing all the navigating. I'll just be double checking his work.

 

[adam]

Here's a big question, who here knows their 100m pace count?

 

[jeremy]

Here's a big question, who here knows their 100m pace count?

More importantly how about your pace count across the different terrains?!

 

[adam]

More importantly how about your pace count across the different terrains?!

I've always figured mine out in a plowed field or woods, so that I cannot just strut my way through it.

 

[jeremy]

I've always figured mine out in a plowed field or woods, so that I cannot just strut my way through it.

That is alright until you come to grades, water crossings, or dense terrain...

 

[miguel]

That is in the last chapter of the book, so I'm still working on pace count.

I know you have to account for flat, incline and decline, but how do you approach different levels of slope? I mean, if a hill is a little steep versus really steep, +/- trees, grass, rocks, etc. Assume one needs to customize their slope factor based on the locale they are specifically going into?

Also, how is pace "valuable" versus just going from point to point? Not trying to be uppity with that question, I just don't comprehend its value yet.

 

[singlesix]

More importantly how about your pace count across the different terrains?!

If I am crossing terrain features than I don't worry about my pace count. I use the terrain features; i.e. 175m between the draws, etc.