Practice, practice, practice!

Yes, pace count does change as the terrain changes.

While it may be 69 paces for 100m on flat terrain, as you go up a steep incline, you will be taking a lot of shorter steps and your pace count increases. Downhill, its the other way around. Practice.

You should have a good compass and topo map with you as well. You can compare map distances with your pace count distances. Practice.

If possible, you should go with someone who is already comfortable with their pace count. Practice. This also helps you compare distances, and will help you get comfortable with your count.


US Army Field Manual 21-26, chp 5, para. 5-3 (Map Reading and Land Navigation):

2) Certain conditions affect your pace count in the field, and you must allow for them by making adjustments.

• (a) Slopes. Your pace will lengthen on a downslope and shorten on an upgrade. Keeping this in mind, if it normally takes you 120 paces to walk 100 meters, your pace count may increase to 130 or more when walking up a slope.
  (b) Winds. A head wind shortens the pace and a tail wind increases it.
  (c) Surfaces. Sand, gravel, mud, snow, and similar surface materials tend to shorten the pace.
  (d) Elements. Falling snow, rain, or ice cause the pace to be reduced in length.
  (e) Clothing. Excess clothing and boots with poor traction affect the pace length.
  (f) Visibility. Poor visibility, such as in fog, rain, or darkness, will shorten your pace.

Did I mention practice? <img src="images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />