22.4 Taking and Following a Bearing

Difficulty: Moderate · Time: about 2 hours of practice · Cost: $0 (compass above)

What you need

• Map and compass with declination set (Section 22.3)

Steps: from the map

1. Place the compass on the map with the edge connecting where you are to where you want to go, direction-of-travel arrow pointing toward the destination.
2. Turn the bezel until the orienting lines in the housing line up with the map’s north-south lines, with the orienting arrow pointing to map north.
3. Read the bearing at the index line.
4. Lift the compass, hold it level in front of you, and turn your whole body until the needle sits in the orienting arrow (“red in the shed”). The direction-of-travel arrow now points to your destination.

Steps: from the land

1. Point the direction-of-travel arrow at a landmark.
2. Turn the bezel until the needle sits in the orienting arrow.
3. Read the bearing at the index line.

Steps: following it

1. Pick a landmark on your bearing (a distinctive tree or rock) and walk to it.
2. Repeat with a new landmark. Don’t walk with your eyes on the compass.
3. Detour around obstacles by walking at right angles: count paces out, walk past the obstacle, and count the same paces back.

Safety

• Recheck your bearing at each landmark. Small errors grow.