That is a good exercise, but it is difficult to execute on land. Terrain with brush that is head high will not allow one to usually walk in anything like a straight line, but trying it will certainly show some of the problems.

On water, it is a different story. Just add night or fog and you have great conditions for this exercise. A compass is many times more useful on the water, compared to a good many terrestrial environments.

Now that is a very comprehensive listing. Thank you.

Blake

http://dallassierraclub.org/calendar.htm?c=out

Mar 14 (Wed) Wilderness Navigation Class - Part 1
Learn the fundamentals of finding your way in the wilderness in this two evening class. Among the subjects covered are: purchasing maps, how to read maps, how not to get lost, what to do if you do get lost, GPS, different kinds of compasses, and how to use your compass. If you have a compass, bring it to the class. If you don't have one, we will show you what to look for when you purchase one. The class will be held at the Dallas REI store (second floor program room). 4515 LBJ Freeway, north side, between Midway and Welch. This two-night class (second night March 15) will start promptly at 6:30 PM and will finish at about 8:45 PM. The fee for the class is $15 for Sierra Club members and $20 for non-members (CASH or CHECK ONLY). No reservations are necessary; just show up. Contact: Bill Greer 972-964-1781(h)

Mar 15 (Thu) Wilderness Navigation Class - Part 2
This is the second night a two part class. See the class listing above (March 14) for details. Contact: Bill Greer 972-964-1781(h)

Update: I checked the online catalog. The Central Library, Dallas, has two available copies of Be Expert With Map & Compass by Bjorn Hjellstrom. What I did not check is the days the Central Library is open. Most likely the earliest day I can make it back is Friday.

Jeanette Isabelle

You do need the right terrain and vegetation. I usually do it in certain parts of the desert, where local bushes grow above eye level, but there is reasonable room to walk between them. A landscpae dotted with occasional trees would also work fine. You need enough brush cover to obscure your original starting point.

In principle, it can also be done on a perfectly flat field. Just place a quarter on the grass where you start, and see how close you come to the coin when you get back to "Home". It's just a matter of having no visible ladmarks near the startign point that will allow you to (subsconsciously) cheat :-)

cheers,
pete2

That is something I was wanting to address later, once I learn enough to know this is something I want to pursue further. What compass do I get? Doug Ritter and John McCann seem to recommend Suunto.

I am not broke but I have to watch my money. I do not want to buy a basic orienteering compass and later buy another compass if this turns out something I want to pursue. On the other hand I do not want to buy a higher-end compass only to find out this is something I do not want to pursue further.

As you can see, I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Do I need an adjustable or a fixed declination correction scale in Texas?

Jeanette Isabelle

if I were to suffer your "ordeal," I would cheat like mad - taking an accurate compass bearing, relating to some sort of generally visible landmark in the distance ( mountain, tall tree, grain elevator- you name it), and then marching off, probably counting paces to handle the distance covered.

I know of no desert, at least here in North America, that fortunately isn't replete with all kinds of terrain features - at a very minimum, distant mountain ranges..

The Suunto Partner A-10 is a good general purpose compass that runs for about $13-14. I have a Brunton 9020G which I have used for awhile & it has served me well. It is also a good general purpose compass in the same price range, either one would be a good choice.

Orienteering can be done with a simple baseplate & capsule (Silva style) compass. That's how it started.

I've never tried walking a heading (never had reason to and probably wouldn't do it very well). I've steered a heading at sea, flown a heading in aircraft but when I'm out in the wilds I use orienteering-style navigation where the compass gives information but isn't a slavishly followed means of holding heading. I use catch features and topo visualization mostly.

I've assembled and taught a small land navigation instruction module for folks taking an aviation archeology course. We want them to stay found while looking for wrecks and feel that rudimentary navigation has to be covered.

JeanetteIsabelle shoot me a PM with your email and I'll email you my powerpoint.

You definitely want an adjustable scale. In fact, I think that is the only type that is generally available. After all, you hopefully will be fortunate enough to leave DFW someday. In addition, declination is not a constant. It changes continually, although the change is measured in fractions of a degree per year and is typically inconsequential.

I really should apologize for the snarky comment about Dallas-Fort Worth. I spent way too much of my childhood in Dallas. Happiness was Big D in my rearview mirror.