Navigating with a Compass

Surely many of us have seen several explorers using their maps, cartographic charts, compasses, or simply the sun or the stars to orient themselves in the middle of nature and avoid getting lost. Well, today we will show you how to orient yourself in the middle of nowhere using a compass. If you often go on adventures in the forest, countryside, mountains, or other environments, this post is for you.

 Photo: Profisica.cl

First of all, we must know the instrument we are going to use, the compass. To begin with, not all compasses are the same in shape and size, but they do have a magnetized needle that points towards the earth's magnetic field. The main elements of a compass are:

• The direction arrow is the arrow on the base plate that points outward from the compass.
• The bezel is the dial surrounding the cover and shows the 360 degrees of a circle.
• The magnetic needle is the needle that rotates inside the cover.
• The North arrow is the non-magnetized arrow inside the cover.
• The North-South lines are the lines arranged parallel to the North arrow.

 Photo: Wikihow

Second important item, how to hold the compass correctly. Place the compass completely flat on the palm of your hand and bring it close to your chest. If you are traveling, that is the correct way to hold the compass. If you are going to check your location on a map, place the map on a flat surface and place the compass on it to get a more accurate location.

 Photo: Wikihow

Third point, difference between True North and Magnetic North. The main difference is that true north indicates the point where all the earth's longitudinal lines meet, that is, the North Pole. Magnetic north refers to the inclination of the magnetic field, the difference between both 'norths' is approximately 1 degree (In Peru). Unfortunately, due to magnetism, the compass points to magnetic north and not true north.

Photo: Wikihow

Always remember to use reference points to accurately follow the trajectory of the direction arrow, look at the arrow, then focus on a distant object like a tree, a mountain, an antenna, and use them as a guide. How to know where you are? Choose 3 distinctive marks that you can see, preferably locate them with the greatest possible distance around your field of vision. Point the direction arrow towards the first mark. The magnetic needle should turn to one side. Now turn the bezel until the North-South lines align with the north end of the magnetic needle. Once aligned, they will tell you where the direction arrow is pointing.

Photo: Wikihow

Locate the direction of the mark on the map. Place the map on a flat surface and then place the compass on the map so that the North arrow points to the true North of the map. Now, position the compass so that its edge passes through the mark on the map, making sure the North arrow continues to point in the same direction (to the North).

Photo: imagizer-cv.imageshack.

Triangulate your position. Draw a line along the edge of the compass that passes through your approximate position. This is the first of three lines you must make to find your exact position by forming a triangle with all the lines. Repeat this process with the other two marks. When you finish, you will have 3 lines forming a triangle on the map. Your position is within that triangle.

Now go on an adventure with complete safety and put these adventure tips into practice.

 

See also:

• 10 applications every traveler needs.
• How to prepare for your next adventure
• 10 useful tips for all your trips
• 8 tips for Adventure photographers