Global Positioning Systems (GPS) rely on satellites to pinpoint specific spots on a map, which then translate to an area on the ground. Hunters, hikers, campers and the military to name a few, rely on GPS systems to find their way from one point to another, but what happens when satellites can no longer broadcast their signal to your device, can you find your way using common but possibly forgotten methods of land navigation?
Before electronics took over a person had to use a map to find their present location and to plot a course to another location. The military and others traveling off road used contours maps or sometimes referred to as topographical maps. The maps allow you to view the terrain by using contours lines drawn to represent changes in elevation.
One of the most accurate and reliable means of travel is by using a compass and a topographical map that allows you find your location and plot direction of travel. Using a map and compass, you can plot direction of travel and find specific locations by using a series of grid coordinates, and in some cases, you can plot within 10 meters.
Before you can plot directions and locations however, you must know how to use a compass. A compass will have an arrow that indicates north, south, east and west with a bezel that is numbered from zero to 380 degrees. Zero is true north with 180 degrees being south on the compass. Turn your body and the compass arrow will indicate direction. Using a contour map and a compass you can determine your location by intersecting three lines from visible landmarks. Find the landmarks on the map and lay the compass in the center of the map and draw a line from the landmark to true north or zero on the compass, do this with the two other landmarks. Remove the compass and where the lines intersect is your location.
Once identified on the map use your compass to get the bearings by placing your compass on the map and turning the map and compass until the arrow points to zero degrees. Pencil a line on the map from the landmark to the compass, do this with the other two landmarks, and once done, where the lines intersect is your location. Mark your coordinates by reading from left to right and marking the numbers that are along the margin of the map. For example, read from the bottom up to your location, which may be 86 and then across to 22 making your coordinates 8622. Using the additional numbers available you can determine your six or eight digit coordinates. For precision use a protractor and if one is not available estimate as best as you can when determining the six or eight digit location.
You can cache supplies then determine your present location and then note the eight digits coordinates for that location. Now you can move from your location to another without veering off course. To move from your location to another find the coordinates of the location you want to move to and then place the compass on the map and orientate the map and compass to true north. The needle will always point to true north, once this is done draw a line from where you want to go to where it intersects with your location then mark the degrees off the compass for example, the line may intersect with 180 degrees and then determine the direction by aligning the compass along the drawn line.
Protect your compass from false readings by keeping it away from metal objects when taking a reading. Looking down at the dial makes for easy reading of the dial. Hold the compass flat when using for best results.
Before electronics took over a person had to use a map to find their present location and to plot a course to another location. The military and others traveling off road used contours maps or sometimes referred to as topographical maps. The maps allow you to view the terrain by using contours lines drawn to represent changes in elevation.
One of the most accurate and reliable means of travel is by using a compass and a topographical map that allows you find your location and plot direction of travel. Using a map and compass, you can plot direction of travel and find specific locations by using a series of grid coordinates, and in some cases, you can plot within 10 meters.
Before you can plot directions and locations however, you must know how to use a compass. A compass will have an arrow that indicates north, south, east and west with a bezel that is numbered from zero to 380 degrees. Zero is true north with 180 degrees being south on the compass. Turn your body and the compass arrow will indicate direction. Using a contour map and a compass you can determine your location by intersecting three lines from visible landmarks. Find the landmarks on the map and lay the compass in the center of the map and draw a line from the landmark to true north or zero on the compass, do this with the two other landmarks. Remove the compass and where the lines intersect is your location.
Once identified on the map use your compass to get the bearings by placing your compass on the map and turning the map and compass until the arrow points to zero degrees. Pencil a line on the map from the landmark to the compass, do this with the other two landmarks, and once done, where the lines intersect is your location. Mark your coordinates by reading from left to right and marking the numbers that are along the margin of the map. For example, read from the bottom up to your location, which may be 86 and then across to 22 making your coordinates 8622. Using the additional numbers available you can determine your six or eight digit coordinates. For precision use a protractor and if one is not available estimate as best as you can when determining the six or eight digit location.
You can cache supplies then determine your present location and then note the eight digits coordinates for that location. Now you can move from your location to another without veering off course. To move from your location to another find the coordinates of the location you want to move to and then place the compass on the map and orientate the map and compass to true north. The needle will always point to true north, once this is done draw a line from where you want to go to where it intersects with your location then mark the degrees off the compass for example, the line may intersect with 180 degrees and then determine the direction by aligning the compass along the drawn line.
Protect your compass from false readings by keeping it away from metal objects when taking a reading. Looking down at the dial makes for easy reading of the dial. Hold the compass flat when using for best results.
About the Author:
Power outages can occur with little warning due to hurricanes, earthquakes or solar storms. Preppers need to be prepared to find their way without the use of electricity. Learn more about how to prepare for such disasters by visiting The Smart Preppers website.
