Thread: Navigation with compass and map

Originally Posted by Gibo

I do lots of circles mate Sit, scratch head, and do a bigger circle My compass, map and GPS gets me close enough to get where I'm going.

A week ago in the Kaimanawas I stayed at a clearing that was a 40 min bush bash to a river and on the other side was the track. Pretty simple. I stayed until 30 min of light was left put gps on and made a fast paced walk through bush to said river. I always underestimate how dark the bush gets when light is fading. I then thought of the consequences of that GPS failing and how good I would be at finding my way out via a compass in the dark. Id say I could do it, but not very quickly and not with complete confidence. Im gonna have to give the compass some more practice and put the GPS in my pack as a last resort. Leaving the GPS on in your jacket plotting your trail and navigating via a compass/map marking your course as you go would be a worth while exercise.