Follow Us!
Archive for the ‘Map Reading/Land Navigation’ Category
Hand-held Outdoor GPS!
Hand Held GPS!
I have never been an advocate of having a Global Positioning System (GPS) as the primary source for outdoor/cross-country navigation. However, if working, I do think a GPS would be nice as a secondary confirmation, and reinforcement that you were using good sound Map Reading/Land Navigation skills.
Buying a GPS is like buying a car – you normally get what you pay for. But, before purchase, a person must know what’s available versus what your needs are. A GPS receiver can be purchased that will give you everything a topographical map, compass, and good Map Reading/Land Navigational skills will; but, it must be working, and it may be cost prohibitive.
A small, gray scale GPS receiver with no or limited mapping and other functions will cost $100+, while a top-of-the-line color receiver with topographic mapping, a touch screen display, and other advance procedures could cost as-much-as $600+. However, there are good GPS receivers that offer a good mix of these extremes for about $300; but, you must know WHAT YOU WANT!
Shopping On-line!
Convenient!
We have a tendency to shy-away from things that are unknown or we don’t understand. I for one went into the electronic age dragging my feet and screaming/hollering all the way. But, the more I got into it, the more I realized its true merits. This includes researching and shopping for things on the Internet. If your intent is to purchase a quality item at the lowest price, you should do your research on the Internet.
There are many Internet search engines (Google, Bing, etc.) that will help to simplify the buying process. They will assist in developing the data needed to determine product quality, as-well-as the information required for cost analysis. It has been my experience that prices on-line are normally a little cheaper than like items bought at the corner retail store. If it is a high dollar item you‘re purchasing, the tax savings alone could save you a bundle.
One of the nice things about shopping on-line is that the items are normally sent to your front door. Shopping for things like camping gear can be both fun and educational. If you are a show-me person, many times there will be video tapes/subject experts showing and further explaining the product.
Camping Gear Replacement Items!
Perfect!
I’m in the process of doing my end-of-season camping gear inventory. Inventory reflects that there are several items that need to be replaced. This includes a tent (4-5 person), a couple battery operated lanterns, and possibly a new 4-burner stove (propane). Total cost of these items will be several hundred dollars. However, being a prudent shopper, I want both quality and savings.
As Granddad used to say, there has got to be “method too this madness. You don’t go food shopping when you’re hungry”. The same principle applies when buying camping gear. You need to first determine exactly what you want as compared with the maximum price you can afford. This preliminary research can be done by going to a local sporting-goods store or referring to the respective Manufacturer’s website.
Experience has shown that bargains in camping gear can be obtained but you need to do some leg work. Once you have determined the item wanted (can afford) by Nomenclature (name), Manufacturer, and Model Number – you can go-out with confidence and buy the item needed. Whether it be a seasonal sale at the local sporting goods store or a reputable on-line shopping site, you are prepared to make item price comparisons. Make sure the prices compared include taxes/shipping and handling.
Outdoor Activities!
Having Fun!
Loving the outdoors is a learned concept. It normally starts at a very young age; therefore, parents do play an important role in forming that life-long relationship. However, certain factors may preclude this from happening – scarcity of time , general disinterest, lack of knowledge, or even a genuine concern about safety.
These are valid reasons for non-involvement but conversely, the participative positives far out-number the negatives. Leading a healthy and balanced life-style are crucial to longevity. Outdoor activities can help by reducing daily stress and tension; it further strengthens family bonds and provides a sense of accomplishment to all who participate. Some of the most popular outdoor activities include swimming, jogging, cycling, hiking, camping in a tent, and boating activities.
Suggest you discuss this with the family at the next opportunity, but don’t be surprised if there is resistance. The first step is always the hardest, and for some that will be turning off the television. Engaging in outdoor activities has no substitute for staying healthy and enjoying nature at the same time. HAVE FUN!
Family Contentment!
Good, Wholesome Activities!
Any experienced camping father will tell you that the most important ingredient to an enjoyable camping trip is to keep the wife and kids happy. Is this task age dependent, you darn right! However, over the years, I have found that all participants are fairly easy to satisfy when they are seeing, doing, and/or learning new things.
Do not take your family out and set them up at a camp-site without some organized activities. These activities should take the age of participants into consideration and be both educationally challenging and fun-filled. This can cover the spectrum of taking toddlers out on a camp-site show and tell – to – setting up a Land Navigation Course for rambunctious teenagers. Either activity would not be soon forgotten!
During this day and age of television, computer games, i-phones/i-pads and fast everything, it is important that we do not lose touch with the basic life essentials of clean air/water and a healthy environment.
It’s the Economy Stupid!
The Great Outdoors!
On the fourth Friday of each month, a group of us gather at “Mom’s Kitchen” for breakfast. The food is adequate but the dialogue, atmosphere, and camaraderie are priceless. Each time I go, I always come away with a reality check. This temperature reading normally focuses on one of two things: the US Economy or World Affairs.
This last breakfast, the conversation started with what we should/shouldn’t be doing in Libya but settled down to the US Economy, and how the high price of gas and other goods were going to force a change in summer vacation plans/camping trips; gone would be the 2-3 week trips to places not even pronounceable.
I suggested that a good camping trip doesn’t have to be an expensive venture. What is important, is that you find something that would be interesting and enjoyable for all participants. Website – USA.gov covers all 50 states and the District of Columbia. These respective tourism websites provide ideas for vacations and more. However, regardless of the WHO – WHAT – WHEN – WHERE, the camping trip will still need proper planning, preparation of camping gear and feasible transportation.
Directional Aids!
Identify & Movement to Landmark!
When navigating with a compass on a specific azimuth/direction, never walk with the compass in the open position. It’s not only hard on the compass, it further subjects it to possible damage ; plus, it’s not accurate when used this way.
It is better to identify an easily recognizable landmark on the azimuth/direction line of movement. These landmarks or steering marks can not be based on map study but rather what you see on the ground. They are singularly selected and progressively replaced as the march continues. They’re normally on or near the highest point along the azimuth/direction line, and you would navigate from one steering mark to the next. Considerations for a good steering mark would be:
- Easy to recognize as you progress forward based on color, size, and/or shape;
- The highest and furthest steering mark is normally the best. It should be continuously visible as you move forward.
- Steering marks at night should be based on unique shape not color (at night red appears black).
- During hours of limited visibility or when natural steering marks are not available, use situational imagination and expedience. Example: Send out a human (far as you can see): 1. direct them to azimuth line; 2. move to them; 3. repeat the process. It’s slow but workable.
There are binoculars and/or night vision devices that would simplify movement during the hours of limited visibility.
Navigate by Dead Reckoning!
No Room for Error!
Movement by Dead Reckoning consists of two basic, fundamental Map Reading/Land Navigation steps:
- The use of a protractor and graphic scales to determine the direction/azimuth and distance from one point to another on a map.
- Use of a compass and some means of measuring distance to apply this information on the ground.
Essentially, Dead Reckoning normally begins with the determination of a polar coordinate on the map and ends with the process of finding it on the ground. This process will require the knowledge and ability to apply advanced Map Reading/Land Navigation and Compass principles, techniques, and skills.
Map/Ground Comparison!
Movement by Map/Ground Comparison!
Movement by Terrain Association is quicker, less tedious, more forgiving and fun than is Dead Reckoning (dependent on previous location/computations). However, there will be times during movement by Terrain Association when you will need to stop and confirm your position through either plotted or estimated resection.
Errors made using Terrain Association can be corrected fairly easily because you are comparing what you see on the map with what you find on the ground. But, you must be ever mindful that a map is only a previous picture of the earth’s surface drawn to scale. It may or may not be totally representive of what you’ll find on the ground. Some features, especially man-made/influenced, will change with time.
- Matching the Terrain to the Map using Terrain Features: By observing the map’s contour lines, determine Major Terrain Features (hilltop, valley, ridge, depression, and saddle). From a vantage point, compare what you see on the map with what you should see on the ground.
- Compare Vegetation Depicted on the Map: But, be conscious/mindful that it can change overnight from natural accidents or man-made influences.
- Using the Hydrography: Use in-land bodies of water; their shapes, sizes, and direction of water flow.
- Man Made Features: This is an important part of Terrain Association. You should be familiar with the symbols used; consider the map’s age; but, most important, nothing is permanent – if it can be built, it can be torn down!
This method of ground movement will require not only knowledge but a competency in Map Reading, Compass, and Navigational Skills.
Map Orientation!
Map/Compass/Ground Orientation!
A needed preliminary step to map/ground association is to orient the map with the lay of the land. After orientation, if you plot your location on the map, and while doing it see a hill top 2000 yards to the northwest, you should be able to look up and see that same hill top to your right-front at 2000 yards.
The method used to orient the map with the ground depends on what you’re doing. If all you want is a quick analysis, determine north (compass) and point the top of your map in that direction, and map is generally oriented. But, if you’re intention is to determine/plot directions or azimuths on the map and accuracy is critical, the method used should be exact, deliberate and allow no errors:
- Place the map on a flat surface;
- Open compass and place it (straightedge) parallel with a North/South grid-line.
- Keeping the compass aligned, as directed above, carefully rotate the map/compass (together) until the magnetic arrow is below the fixed black index line of the compass (almost oriented);
- To further compensate for the small Grid/Magnetic (GM) angle change, rotate map and compass in the direction of the magnetic arrow in the declination diagram. Whether movement is right or left, rotate the map/compass that small amount (degree/mils) indicated by the G/M angle. The number of degrees/mils of rotation will be reflected under the fixed index line of the compass.
The map and compass are now oriented in accordance with map’s Declination Diagram.
Most Commented