Land Navigation

The Great Outdoors: Our Favorite Moments in Nature

Anatomy of a lensatic compass

- Case cover

- Sight wire

- Index Line

- Bezel Indicator

- Bezel

- Dial

- Graduated Scale

- Case

- Lens Bracket

- Lens

- Sight Grove

- Lanyard Hole

- Thumb Hook

Anatomy of an orienteering compass

- Travel arrow

- Magnifier

- Index line

- Dial

- Declination marks

- Orienteering arrow

- Orienteering lines

- Magnetic needle

- Bezel

Improvised compasses

- Magnetize a needle by dragging a magnet across it several times in the same direction each pass. Put the needle on a leaf and float the leaf in a puddle. The needle will point north/south.

Land Navigation Tips

Setting the orienteering arrow/bezel indicator with a map

Calculating your stride Distance can be calculated by counting strides while walking.

Setting the orienteering arrow/bezel indicator with a map

- Locate the start and destination points on the map

- Place the scale of the compass between the points with the direction of travel arrow or case cover in toward the destination.

- Rotate the dial so that the orienteering arrow or bezel indicator is pointing toward magnetic north on the map.

- When at the starting point, line the north needle up with the orienteering arrow or bezel indicator and travel in the direction of the direction of travel arrow or sight wire.

Finding direction with a sundial

Calculating your stride Distance can be calculated by counting strides while walking.

Setting the orienteering arrow/bezel indicator with a map

- Plunge an arm-length stick into the ground so that it is firmly planted

- Mark the tip of the shadow with a small rock.

- After a 15-minute wait, mark the new location of the tip of the shadow.

- Place a stick between these two locations

- Where the first shadow was marked will point West, and the second shadow will point East.

- The side the stick plunged into the ground is on will be south

Calculating your stride Distance can be calculated by counting strides while walking.

To do this you must know what your stride is. To calculate your stride measure out a distance of 100 meters on flat clear ground and mark the start and finish of that distance. Stand about 100 meters away from the starting point and begin walking toward the starting point. Once the starting point is reached count every other step taken until the finish mark is reached (eg. count every time you step with the right foot). Repeat this exercise several times. You should get the same count every time this exercise is repeated. You now know how many strides you take in 100 meters.

Land Navigation

The Great Outdoors: Our Favorite Moments in Nature

Land Navigation Tips

Setting the orienteering arrow/bezel indicator with a map

Calculating your stride Distance can be calculated by counting strides while walking.

Setting the orienteering arrow/bezel indicator with a map

Finding direction with a sundial

Calculating your stride Distance can be calculated by counting strides while walking.

Setting the orienteering arrow/bezel indicator with a map

Calculating your stride Distance can be calculated by counting strides while walking.

Calculating your stride Distance can be calculated by counting strides while walking.

Calculating your stride Distance can be calculated by counting strides while walking.

Stay on track

Topographical Map

Topographical Map

Topographical Map

Navigation Skills

Topographical Map

Topographical Map