1. Navigation Using map & compass

2. Cardinal Directions There are four cardinal points on a compass: There are four cardinal points on a compass: North, South, East, and West. North, South, East, and West. When reading a map and giving other people directions, you need to avoid using the words ‘left’ and ‘right’ as these are relative directions and differ depending on your location When reading a map and giving other people directions, you need to avoid using the words ‘left’ and ‘right’ as these are relative directions and differ depending on your location Cardinal points are constant Cardinal points are constant

3. Parts of a Compass

4. Scales These help measure distance on a map These help measure distance on a map A common scale for USGS topographic maps is 1:24,000, but this isn’t always the case – so check. A common scale for USGS topographic maps is 1:24,000, but this isn’t always the case – so check. If your compass and map scales don’t match, most orienteering compasses have centimeter and inch scales. If your compass and map scales don’t match, most orienteering compasses have centimeter and inch scales.

5. Direction of Travel This is an arrow that is marked on the baseplate. It guides the direction of travel while following a bearing in the field. This is an arrow that is marked on the baseplate. It guides the direction of travel while following a bearing in the field.

6. Orienting Arrow The orienting arrow is marked on the bottom of the housing and rotates with the housing. The orienting arrow is marked on the bottom of the housing and rotates with the housing. It allows the baseplate to be aligned relative to the magnetic needle. It allows the baseplate to be aligned relative to the magnetic needle. To take a basic field bearing, the housing is turned until the orienting arrow and the magnetic needle are aligned. (Red in the Shed) To take a basic field bearing, the housing is turned until the orienting arrow and the magnetic needle are aligned. (Red in the Shed) These two elements are then kept in alignment while following the bearing. These two elements are then kept in alignment while following the bearing.

7. Declination Scale Declination is the difference, in angle of degree, between magnetic north and true north. Declination is the difference, in angle of degree, between magnetic north and true north. The declination scale makes it easier to adjust for this difference. The declination scale makes it easier to adjust for this difference. More advanced orienteering compasses often have an adjustable declination scale that can be set, usually by way of a tiny screw on the bottom of the compass. More advanced orienteering compasses often have an adjustable declination scale that can be set, usually by way of a tiny screw on the bottom of the compass.

8. Dial The dial is part of the housing and is marked in two degree increments. The dial is part of the housing and is marked in two degree increments. When the dial is rotated, the orienting arrow, declination scale and orienting lines also rotate as part of the housing. When the dial is rotated, the orienting arrow, declination scale and orienting lines also rotate as part of the housing.

9. Index Line/Bearing Marker This is where a bearing is read. A bearing is an angle relative to true north (true bearing), or magnetic north (magnetic bearing). This is where a bearing is read. A bearing is an angle relative to true north (true bearing), or magnetic north (magnetic bearing).

10. Magnetic Needle A magnetic strip of metal that is on a pivot in the center of the housing. The north end is usually painted red, while the other end is often white or black. A magnetic strip of metal that is on a pivot in the center of the housing. The north end is usually painted red, while the other end is often white or black.

11. Orienting Lines These lines are marked on the bottom of the housing and rotate with it, the same as the orienting arrow. These lines are marked on the bottom of the housing and rotate with it, the same as the orienting arrow. They are also often called meridian lines and north-south lines. They are also often called meridian lines and north-south lines. When taking a bearing from a map, the orienting lines are aligned with the north-south map grid lines. When taking a bearing from a map, the orienting lines are aligned with the north-south map grid lines.

12. Housing A liquid filled capsule that contains the magnetic needle. A liquid filled capsule that contains the magnetic needle. Orienting lines are etched on the bottom of the housing, and the dial is fixed to the top of the housing. Orienting lines are etched on the bottom of the housing, and the dial is fixed to the top of the housing. The liquid helps dampen the needle movement, making it easier to get a more accurate reading. The liquid helps dampen the needle movement, making it easier to get a more accurate reading.

13. Base Plate The base plate is used to taking bearing on a map. The base plate is used to taking bearing on a map. The edge is placed between two points and the orienting lines and dial act as a protractor to give the bearing. The edge is placed between two points and the orienting lines and dial act as a protractor to give the bearing. The base plate is marked with scales, direction of travel arrow and index line. The base plate is marked with scales, direction of travel arrow and index line.

14. True North vs. Magnetic North The difference between the magnetic north pole and the geographic north pole is called magnetic declination. The difference between the magnetic north pole and the geographic north pole is called magnetic declination.

15. Magnetic Declination In the polar regions declination is very large and there is a phenomenon known as magnetic dip (the field lines begin pointing downwards towards the center of Earth) so navigation by compass becomes increasingly problematic. In the polar regions declination is very large and there is a phenomenon known as magnetic dip (the field lines begin pointing downwards towards the center of Earth) so navigation by compass becomes increasingly problematic. Magnetic declination varies both from place to place, and with the passage of time as earths magnetic fields shift. Magnetic declination varies both from place to place, and with the passage of time as earths magnetic fields shift. As a traveller cruises the east coast of the United States, for example, the declination varies from 20 degrees west (in Maine) to zero (in Florida), to 10 degrees east (in Texas) As a traveller cruises the east coast of the United States, for example, the declination varies from 20 degrees west (in Maine) to zero (in Florida), to 10 degrees east (in Texas) Meaning a compass adjusted at the beginning of the journey would have a true north error of over 30 degrees if not adjusted for the changing declination. Meaning a compass adjusted at the beginning of the journey would have a true north error of over 30 degrees if not adjusted for the changing declination.

16. Declination Cont’d If the compass at your place is pointing clockwise with respect to the True North, declination is positive or EAST If the compass at your place is pointing clockwise with respect to the True North, declination is positive or EAST

17. Declination Cont’d If the compass at your place is pointing counter- clockwise with respect to the True North, declination is negative or WEST If the compass at your place is pointing counter- clockwise with respect to the True North, declination is negative or WEST In Fredericton we have a negative declination of 17 degrees. In Fredericton we have a negative declination of 17 degrees. This means we must adjust our compasses accordingly to find an accurate bearing. (17 degrees WEST) This means we must adjust our compasses accordingly to find an accurate bearing. (17 degrees WEST)