Navigation Skills
Whether you plan to follow well-marked and well-maintained trails or back-country, it is a good idea to have some navigational skills. Being lost can be a very scary and could possibly lead dangerous situations. With some navigational skills, you can avoid getting lost or get back to your path quicker should you stray a bit.
As any experienced hiker will know, having some understanding of navigation or how to find your way is essential to having a safe hiking trip. Here are some tips to keep in mind on your next hiking journey will help make sure that you are picking up the art of navigation quickly:
Plan Your Course Ahead of Time
Always make a plan of action before embarking on your journey. Making a plan will save a lot of time circling with the map out, wondering where exactly you are and missing out on enjoying the natural environment at the same time. If it helps, use a brightly colored marker to draw the plans out so it is easy to see by flashlight if you need to at night.
Compass
Learn to use a compass; it is more helpful than you will ever know until left to your own devices. A compass is what really makes or breaks navigation. The compass will tell what direction you have been hiking in for the last hour, but be careful to read it correctly. Before setting out on your hike calibrate the compass so that it points to the magnetic North. Depending on your position on the globe, the “north” of the compass may be a little bit off.
Use a Topographic Map
A topographic map is very helpful as it will show the rise and fall of the terrain and also marks important landmarks that may not be found on other maps. With a topographic map you can be sure to find both natural and man-made landmarks easily. If you don’t know how to use a map now is the time to learn, it will come in handy out on the trail and can save you from getting lost.
Keep Track of Your Position
Using the topographic map, make frequent updates to your position on the map. Mark the map with an “x” with the position that you are at so that it is easy to find the last spot you were in if you do end up getting a little bit turned around. Learn how to determine where north is. If you are disorientated or lost try to determine where north is. Once you figure out where north is it will be easy to determine the general direction you should be heading in.
Pace
Pacing yourself is a skill that is picked up over time as you get to know your natural pace in certain settings. You will need to find the average speed that you go over an hour in normal conditions and then expand from there. Most people walk about 4 miles per hour, so this would be a good starting estimate of your speed until you know for sure how quickly you travel. Using your pace you can more easily find with a compass and map the exact location that you are in at any given moment.
Plan your course ahead of time, learn to use the map and compass to track your position and begin recognizing your pace; you are on your way to becoming a navigating pro.
