Practical Compass & Map Reading Skills

Map Reading & Navigation 1.Recap - Last Weeks Session Preparatory Map Skills 2.The Ordinance Survey National Grid 3.Practical Compass & Map Reading Skills The Compass Practical Map Reading & Navigating

Recap on Last Weeks Session Preparatory Map Skills What is a map? What are the Different Symbols? Which Direction am I Going? What is Scale? What are Grid Lines & How do Grid References Work? How do we Measure Distance? How are Hills & Mountains Shown on Maps?

Recap on Last Weeks Session The National Grid Consists of a grid across the country that is progressively broken down into smaller squares The overall grid comprises into 5X5 500 Km squares with each square defined by a single letter reference (A to Z). Each 500Km square is split into 5X5 100 Km squares with each square defined by a two letter reference. Each 100Km square is split into 100X100 1Km squares with each square defined by a four figure numeric map reference.

Compass Skills What does a compass look like?

Compass Skills 1.True North –The notional direction of the North Pole 2.Grid North –Direction of the maps North / South grid lines. –Grid lines are exact 1 Km squares therefore N / S grid lines across a map will not point to the same place. –Not lines of longitude. 3.Magnetic North –The direction a compass needle will point. –It does not point to the North Pole but somewhere north of Hudson Bay in Canada. –Magnetic north moving East by 1 deg every 6 years. 4.Magnetic Variation –The difference between grid North & magnetic North at any point on the map. –This will vary depending on where you are. North Points

Compass Skills Step 1 Align the direction of travel arrow with the orienting arrow. Step 2 Lay the compass on the map with direction arrow / orienting pointing to the top of the map with the long edge lined up with the North South grid Lines. Step 3 Rotate the map & the compass together until the magnetic needle sits over the red orienting arrow. The Map is Now Set Setting a Map

Compass Skills Taking a Bearing Step 1 Find the two points on the map that you want to travel from and to. Line up your compass edge between the two points, so that your direction-of-travel arrow is pointing to your destination Step 1 Find the two points on the map that you want to travel from and to. Line up your compass edge between the two points, so that your direction-of-travel arrow is pointing to your destination Step 1 Line up your compass edge between the two points, so that your direction-of-travel arrow is pointing to your destination. Step 2 Rotate the compass housing until the orienting lines in the centre are pointing to the top of your map Step 3 Now read the bearing at the bottom of the direction-of-travel arrow, at the index line

Practical Map Reading & Navigating Skills Key Map Reading Skills: Transferring information gleaned from the map to the ground and vice versa Locating your position from a map Determining a geographical direction & direction of travel Checking the direction of a path Identifying features in the countryside from a map Locating features marked on a map in the country side

Practical Map Reading & Navigating Skills Navigating Tools Handrails Linear features you can follow, including paths, streams, ridges, walls etc. Tick Features Features that you pass or cross for example a bridge, farm buildings, ponds, boundary walls etc. Catchments Tick point where a decision has to be taken on direction, for example a path junction Overshoots Recognisable & distinct feature that indicates that you have gone beyond a catchment point. Contour lines The most important tool when navigating using a map. Can be used as tick features, catchments & overshoots.

Practical Map Reading & Navigating Skills Route description: Cross bridge – 1 Follow edge of enclosure – 2 Head for the boulders – 3 Follow top of escarpment – 4 Ascend the ridge 5 Reach trig point on summit - 6 Navigating Tools - Handrail & Tick Features

Practical Map Reading & Navigating Skills Navigating a Route Split a route into legs Legs can be as short as a hundred metres or as long as several kilometres – depending on terrain. For each leg convert map details into information that enable you to navigate on the ground. A good way to do this is identify five things about each leg. ‘The Five D’s’

Practical Map Reading & Navigating Skills 1.Destination – what will it look like when you reach the end. 2.Description – describe the leg using handrails & tick features. 3.Distance / Duration – how long will it take –How do you measure distance on the ground? 4.Direction – in which direction do you need to walk. 5.Dangers – are there any navigational or physical dangers enroute Navigating a Route –The Five D’s

Practical Map Reading & Navigating Skills Navigating a Route – Forming a Strategy Before walking a leg map readers identify the 5 D’s. The rest of the group are briefed on the relevant information – usually limited to what you are going to see & when you will see it. At the end of the leg repeat the process & form a new strategy. You must always have a strategy At all times the entire team must know: What you are expecting to pass, cross or see. When are you are expecting to pass, cross or see it.