Good luck!

Kevin,
I wouldn't put a fire steel that close to a compass.It would through off the compass from the iron content in it....

BOATMAN
John

good point; I'll have to check the two together first. thanks!

OK, with pace counting, one would need one's hands free, correct? One would need to manipulate the beads as one counted off which requires free hands. Kind of a bummer if you like to use trekking poles.

HJ

On a normal recreation hike or backpack, the last thing I want to do is count paces. On "business" occasions where I have counted, I use whatever objects are at hand - usually pebbles or pennies - to keep track. Realistically, i simply resort to my GPS - the newer units are more accurate than my pacing. The last time I counted paces in earnest was underground in a cave.

I'd also add around horses or for that matter any livestock. I'm a big fan of neck lanyards and always wear one with a whisle and small flashlight but ALWAYS with a break-a-way.

I use poles or a staff, but the beads are used off trail; in dead reckoning in featurless terrain or thicker bushwhacks until you can reach a catching feature like a trail, power lines, river etc. at that time I've tucked the poles away for the most part. I've used them on trail at times and just reach with pole in hand to slide a bead. I love GPS, but i don't rely on GPS, period.

I'm on a button compass kick lately; added a 25mm liquid filled button compass to my side by side paracord ranger beads