Anybody got a map? Land Navigation is Still Cool in the Digital Era (Beginner Orienteering)

OVERVIEW

Have you ever wanted to learn to navigate solely with a map, compass, and your wits? There’s something about finding your way with a compass that’s impossibly satisfying. In this no-GPS-allowed trip, I’ll be teaching the basics of map-and-compass navigation as we practice land nav on a custom-made orienteering course on our beloved O’Hill.

This is a beginner friendly trip, so you don’t need to know anything about navigation in order to sign up. If you already know some land nav and want a bit of easy practice, feel free to sign up too.

Since this trip is all about navigation, the focus will be on solidifying various navigation skills and techniques including: shooting a bearing, following a bearing, pacing, reading topography, using features, aiming off, etc. I’ll also cover topics such as the difference between baseplate, lensatic, and hybrid compasses and when you might use each.

Since this is a fairly small course, you can expect to walk about 3-5 miles max.

Gear to Bring
– Compass (or let me know if I need to check one out of the gear room for you)
– Appropriate clothing for the weather
– Footwear that will allow you to walk a few miles
– Water/snack if needed

I’ll be setting up the course ahead of time, providing maps, and can check out a compass if you ask me to in the questionnaire.

Note that the meeting location is the Kellog bus stop.