Mikes Navigation Tips for Beginners

It is essential for mountain walking to use good quality topographical maps and more importantly, have the ability to interpret them! These maps are essential to any navigators tool box.

WHAT ARE TOPOGRAPHICAL MAPS
Topographical maps are a representation of what the land looks like on the ground and feature landmarks, contours, steams, boundaries and distances. As a general rule, the larger scale maps show more detail than smaller ones, however, for an overall representation of the land you will be hiking, it is wise to carry both types. The two maps mainly used throughout the UK & Europe are 1:25, 000 and 1:50, 000 scales.

The 1:25, 000 scale map shows a lot more detail and therefore excellent for when off the beaten track and doing micro navigation with fences and boundaries being detailed. If it is a bright sunny day however, it is likely that only a 1:50, 000 type would be needed to get an overall picture of the land.

It is always a good idea to practice with BOTH types of map though, so when visibility becomes poor and conditions deteriorate, you have the necessary skills to navigate from the more detailed map ensuring a good route back to safety.

Remember – always study your maps carefully and take time to check the map keys (symbols & signs) as this will save you a lot of time in the long run.

Orientate your map until it is set with the land but if out in bad weather, you may wish to set it by compass also so you have two checks. You can then use the appropriate one following the key symbols & signs. Before you commence your journey, you should line your map up with the land on the ground so you know exactly where you are and where you want to go.

SO, HOW DO YOU LINE UP?

It is a good idea to commit to memory "D.D.T.T."
Direction, Distance, Time, Terrain.
This is a simple way to remember the correct order to do things. I will talk further over time about all of these methods, but shall start with Direction for now.

DIRECTION

A compass is a very important tool in any navigators’ box, necessary to take bearings and to determine the correct direction you are taking and to plan effectively & safely your route on your map. It is strongly advised that you study navigational books and get used to working with the compass at every possible opportunity. Navigational courses are also an excellent way of learning and practicing the art of compass use. You can never have too much practice!

Start with lining your compass on the map at point A (where you are) to B (where you want to go). Align the orientation lines accordingly on your compass housing to the north-south grid lines on the map. The best way to remember north & south on any map is by looking at names, places & peaks printed. The top of the letters always point north so the bottom must face south – simple as that! Always ensure your orientation lines point north. If by mistake you point south (known as a back bearing), you will realise that your compass is telling you to walk in the opposite direction to what you want!

OK, so you have now set the compass to your direction of travel. Always allow for the Earths natural magnetic field when setting your compass for full accuracy (I will cover this in more detail later). You now remove the compass from the map, rotate it so that the north needle and the orienting arrow are aligned and then proceed following the direction of the travel arrow.

So for now, I have provided a basic outline on direction, but please keep reading those books and practice taking bearings whenever possible!

Take care & good route finding!

- mike-

For more information on our tours simply click on the tours button or click on the navigating links above and at the bottom of this page.

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