| By: Rick
Fowler NO GPS? USE MAPS AND
A COMPASS TO FIND YOUR WAY ON THE TRAILS
With the opening day of rifle season and winter
approaching for many who relish in the outdoors
a GPS (global positioning system) is a fundamental
piece of equipment similar to first aid kits, matches
etc. However, there are many others who don’t have
these handy devices at our disposal. Yet, there
are maps and compasses which may assist snowmobiler's
and ATV riders from getting lost.
Sometimes, getting lost for a few riders might
be constituted as the inconvenience of arriving
later then usual. More often though it can be a
very serious and dangerous situation if cold, injury
or mechanical failure prohibits a rider from making
it back. Therefore it is essential for ATV riders
and snowmobiler's to carry a compass and map if
their emergency kit contains no GPS.
Ideally, topographic maps are best since they
“show the land in three dimensions: north-south,
east-west, and elevation. In addition, they can
warn you of steep areas, valleys and/or ridges.”
This type of map can also advise the rider of the
number of degrees between magnetic north (where
the compass arrow is), and true north (where the
North Pole is). These degrees are called the ‘angle
of declination’ but it varies everywhere in the
world so you must know therefore, this particular
area.
So how do riders use the compass and map? There
are 5 basic steps to follow to get an accurate idea
of where you’re at and how to get back:
- Place the map/compass on a flat surface
but away from any metal objects.
- This is then followed by placing the compass
on the map so that the NORTH-SOUTH line on the
compass dial is parallel with the map arrow
on the vertical lines on the map.
- Turn the map and compass as one unit until
the arrow moves away from North on the compass
at the proper angle of declination which is
indicated on the specific map of the area you’re
in.
- If you know your location on the map line
up a visible landmark with its map symbol, after
the map and compass are oriented.
- If you do not know your position on the
map, but know you are along a certain line like
a ridge, river, or trail you can figure out
where you are along that line. Now orient the
map to the North using the compass (steps 2&3).
Now take a bearing on some landmark which you
can positively identify. *The line of this bearing
will intersect the trail or ridge where you
are located. The point of intersection is your
location.
Maps and compasses can and should be an integral
part of an ATV riders survival pack. In this age
of hi-tech gadgets most of which rely on batteries,
simple orienteering skills might save your life.
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