Mountaineering Navigation Skills - Outdoor Navigation

Using Maps When you are in the outdoors, nothing can be more frustrating than finding yourself lost in an unfamiliar location. It is therefore important to bring a map with you. But what use would it be if you don't know how to read and interpret the legends there? This section will show you how. Compass Navigation More often than not, it is not enough just to bring a map when hiking. It is especially the case when you are in an unfamiliar area. You would then need a compass to determine your exact location on the map and to be able to move from one point to another. This section will teach you how to use your compass and many more. GPS Navigation Nowadays, there is a more technologically advanced device to find out your location compared to the compass. The Global Positioning System or GPS is developed by the military that is now being used by civilians especially by backpackers like you. Familiarize yourself with this wonderful technology and make your navigation easier. Finding North Before the invention of compasses, humans already have a means of finding their way. Though it's less accurate than a compass, finding the North star can give you an idea of the general direction that you should take when traveling at night. But how about during daytime when there are no stars? This section will deal with that too. Determining your Altitude Contour maps indicate the altitude of a particular area in the map. By knowing your current altitude, you will be able to narrow down your possible location on the map. This section lists ways by which you can do so like with the help of your altimeter or the GPS. Click on the section title or icon for more information.