1. MAP AND COMPASS
Learning the Basics

2. MAP AND COMPASS Topographic Maps
Where things are and how to get to them
Describe the shape of the land
Define and locate natural and man made features
Distance between two places
Direction from one point to another
A topographic map tells you where things are and how to get to them, whether you’re hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, or just interested in the world around you. These maps describe the shape of the land. They define and locate natural and man made features like woodlands, waterways, important buildings, and bridges. They show the distance from one point to another.
DIRECTIONS
North is toward the top of most maps. The bottom is south, the left side is west, and the right side is east. A map often will have a true-north arrow in its margin.
DISTANCES
Bar scales can be used for measuring feet, meters, and miles on a map.
SCALE
The scale of a map compares its size to the size of the area it represents. A map scale shown in the margin as 1:24,000 means one unit of distance on that map (an inch, for example) equals 24,000 like units of distance on the ground (24,000 inches in this example).
DATE
A map’s date tells when it was drawn or last revised. An older map will not show new buildings, roads, trails, or other changes on that land.

3. MAP AND COMPASS TOPOGRAPHIC MAP SYMBOLS Primary highway
Overpass - Underpass
Secondary highway
Buildings
Light-duty road
School -- church
Woodland
Unimproved road
Trail
Orchard
TOPOGRAPHIC MAP SYMBOLS
Most topographic maps are multicolored, and each color has a special meaning. In general, Black is used to show man-made features; railroads, buildings, trails, boundaries, locations names. Blue indicates water; streams, marshes, lakes. Green areas are covered with forests or shrubs, while white stands for open country of meadows, talus slopes, beaches, and alpine tundra. Red is reserved for improved roads and for grid lines and numbers that, when used with a compass, can improve the accuracy of your navigation.
Railroad: single track
Scrub
Railroad: double track
Well water – spring
Bridge
Rapids
Tunnel
March (swamp)
Footbridge
Falls

4. MAP AND COMPASS Map Problem
ANSWER
4. At I. Because I is scrub woods. U is an orchard
Problem
5. Which trail would you take – J or K? Why?
PROBLEM
6. Which is the easier way to reach P – Trail L or M? Why?
ANSWER
6. The closer contour lines of M show a steeper climb.
PROBLEM
4. Where would you most likely find firewood – I or U? Why?
ANSWER
5. K. J goes through a swamp.
PROBLEM
3.Would you cross the river at G or H? Why?
PROBLEM
1. For local information or in case of emergency would you go to B, C, or D? Why?
It’s July. Let’s suppose you’re starting a hike at A and heading for Q.
ANSWER
3. Use the footbridge at G. H is a railroad bridge.
ANSWER
1. C has telephone lines next to it. B is a school and probably closed in summer. D is a cemetery.
PROBLEM
2.The Wahootchee River flows NW to SE. To paddle downstream, would it be safer to launch canoes at E or F. Why?
ANSWER
2. Launch them at F. The map shows rapids between E and F.
MAP PROBLEM
For local information or in case of emergency would you go to B, C, or D. Why? Ans: C. Telephone lines next to it. B is a school and probably closed in summer. D is a cemetery.
The Wahootchee River flows NW to SE. To paddle downstream, would it be safer to launch canoes at E or F. Why? Ans: Launch them at F. The map shows rapids between E and F.
Would you cross the river at G or H? Why? Ans: Use the footbridge at G. H is a railroad bridge.
Where would you most likely find firewood – I or U? Why? Ans: At I. Because I is scrub woods. U is an orchard.
Which Trail would you take – J or K? Why? Ans: K. J goes through a swamp.
Which is the easier way to reach P – Trail L or M? Why? Ans: The closer contour lines of M show a steeper climb.

5. Direction of Travel Arrow Orienting Arrow and fluorescent dots
MAP AND COMPASS
Direction of Travel Arrow
Magnifying Glass
Dial or Graduation ring
Bearing
Index
In the early 1940’s, world famous orienteer Björn Kjellström, founder of Silva, Inc. in North America, worked with the Boy Scouts of America, as well as a variety of orienteering clubs to promote map and compass use in overnight backpacking, dayhiking, hunting and orienteering.
Tungsten Steel needle with friction free sapphire jeweled bearing.
Liquid filled capsule, with permanently clear anti-static liquid dampening, stops the needle in less that 4 seconds.
Ultrasonically welded, waterproof. Ergonomic and comfortable, hand contoured base plate is distortion-free so you see map details clearly.
Red orienting arrow for a “Red to North Red” needle match quickly gives the right direction.
USGS map scale.
Non-radioactive luminous points.
Direction of travel arrow.
Magnifying lens for viewing map details.
Declination correction scale.
Rotating dial with Index Line sets the course.
2° Graduations.
Guaranteed to function accurately in temperatures from -40°F to +140°F.
Compass needle – Red points North
Orienting Arrow and fluorescent dots
North-south lines or orienting lines

6. THE SYLVA SYSTEM – Easy as 1-2-3
MAP AND COMPASS
THE SYLVA SYSTEM – Easy as 1-2-3
Point the baseplate to your destination
Point the baseplate to your destination – Orient the map to north and place your compass on the map with the edge along the desired line of travel.

7. THE SYLVA SYSTEM – Easy as 1-2-3
MAP AND COMPASS
THE SYLVA SYSTEM – Easy as 1-2-3
Set Compass Heading
Set Compass Heading -- Turn the compass Dial until “N” points to the North on your map. Your direction in degrees is read at the Index Line on the Dial.

8. THE SYLVA SYSTEM – Easy as 1-2-3
MAP AND COMPASS
THE SYLVA SYSTEM – Easy as 1-2-3
Follow Your Heading
Follow Your Heading – Remove the compass from the map and hold it level, so the Magnetic Needle is free to turn. Turn your body until the red end of the Needle aligns with the Orienting Arrow and “N” on the Dial. Using the Direction of Travel Arrow, sight a distant landmark and move to it. Repeat this process until you reach your destination.

9. MAP AND COMPASS