Here's a couple accounts on the value of backup navigation gear.

- I was running an orienteering course that had a remote start. You signed out from the main registration table then walked about 1 mile to a remote start point that had the electronic timing system start/finish. Before starting from the remote point, I needed to take off my wind shell so without thinking I laid down my map and thumb compass amongst the thick layer of fallen leaves. It's just for a couple of seconds, right? I stowed the jacket, retrieved my map... and could not find the compass. I spent over 10 minutes looking for it and it could not have been more than a couple feet from me, but it was gone forever in those leaves. Luckily I always bring a spare compass, so I soldiered on with it. Lesson learned.

- Today I read in this trip report (sorry, it's behind a paywall) about a team set to trek in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. They had a good, detailed map but:



They managed to complete their trip but suffered mightily by not being able to plan for the topography to come. The simple forest service map was just enough to get by.

I always trek with a spare map, but the usual application for it is as a gift to those I come across who have a poor map, or sometimes no map at all.

Ah yes.....FS maps! Years ago, you usually had the choice of USGS topos which either dated from the 1930s or more recent works from aerial photometry which did not show the trail system accurately at all. The FS maps at least showed the trails accurately and were often more useful than the topos. Generally you knew the country was rough enough that it would be uphill both ways...

... and we were grateful!

Speaking of compasses, what ones do you use? I like the old style Military one but would be willing to learn on a different one if there was a good reason...

For land navigation, especially in hilly country with distinguishing landmarks (why would you spend time anywhere else?), almost any compass, notably any of the models featuring a base plate, will do, especially if you are only navigating and not drawing a map.

Popular question on this forum over the years.

I carry the Suunto M-3D Leader Compass as my main compass. For backup, I carry the Suunto A-10 Compass

See these threads for a lot of compass info:

Compass Question

Recommendation for a decent compass

Button Compass -- Thoughts and Recommendations

Compasses

Back up Compass

Thank you for the information.

Yeah, maps are the unsung heros of navigation.

When I was young and dumb(er) I went on a trip through the Boundary Waters (northern MN) with a small group (3 canoes, 2 per canoe) and had a blast. It wasn't until maybe 5-10 years later that it dawned on my that only one person in the group knew the route and carried the map. I couldn't recall if I carried a compass with or not. Anyway, in hind sight that was really a risky move.

In my older years I've become kind of a map & compass geek. I think it was in one of my favorite books on the topic (The Essential Wilderness Navigator: How to Find Your Way in the Great Outdoors) I found some great advice. Something like ... the key way to not get lost is to always know where you are on the map. Makes sense.

I'll second the preference for the Suunto M3 Leader baseplate compass. Its my go-to compass. I only use compasses that have adjustable declination - set and forget. I purchased and tried a good Cammenga lensatic military style compass, but without adjustable declination I still prefer a good baseplate compass.

I have one of those fancy Brunton Eclipse mirrored compasses and like it a whole lot - great for sighting, but I and others have had problems with bubbles forming in the capsule. Each time they fixed/replaced them at not cost, so kudos to them. Brunton has a new line of compasses that I have no experience with. I like the company - they brought all production back to the US, but ...

In addition to using the map and compass together I strongly recommend folks learn to use the map and compass along with their GPS. know how to find the current magnetic declination (just Google it). Learn to use UTM coordinates (Maptools.com) on a map. Learn how to set the compass and GPS to use true north so the bearings match each other.

"In addition to using the map and compass together I strongly recommend folks learn to use the map and compass along with their GPS. know how to find the current magnetic declination, etc."

I agree completely with this. One additional skill - learn and use indicators in the night sky, like the North Star, Orion's Belt,etc. They are constant, and are not affected by ore deposits and other sources of local variation. Hopefully there won't be too many clouds.....

The more arrows in your quiver, the better off you are.

A similar thing happened to me on a climbing trip years ago. My companion consulted his compass and announced our heading - SSE. It was not yet dawn and I was referencing the North Star - we were heading due East. We were in lava flows (this was Picacho Orizaba, one of the big Mexican volcanoes) and I assume the compass was off because of iron content....