Thread: Hello, and any tips to gain bush confidence?

here is a really simple old school method...find a backstop/catch feature...a track is ideal...a big stream is ok too....start on it..head off on one compass direction say south....hunt away for a time,then turn either east or west depending on wind for however long then turn and head north...KNOWING yo uwill strike the track or stream.

just need to look carefully at map and dont go past end of catch feature...
in MOST places in NZ.... water will lead out of the bush if yo ufollow it downstream far enough....
a GPS is a game changer but it doesnt replace map n compass skills.
the topo map apps on cellphone are awesome... BUT just like GPS.... open your paper map,really try hard to work out where you are. be honest,try to get your co ordinates...then ask GPS/phone to check...and you will be surprised how close you are,with a little bit of practise.

cloudy or misty days suck my confidence navigation wise...I use compass far more when no sun to keep eye on..funny I dont notice Im doing it till its not there.