It’s easy to see why: In clear skies, modern GPS receivers can determine a user’s location accurately and quickly with little to no user skill necessary.īut here’s the thing: GPS units are electronic, and electronics fail at the most inopportune times. With the advent of GPS, navigating by compass has become something of a lost art. More: Get unlost with our Backcountry Navigation course on Outside LEARN Below, we’ll cover both the basics and finer points of compass navigation. And even in the age of GPS and smartphones, the most dependable way to make sure that you stay on track is by carrying a map and compass and knowing how to use them. Learning how to use a map and compass is something all hikers and backpackers need to know.Įven experienced backpackers sometimes neglect their navigation skills, but when the trail peters out or is covered by snow, knowing how to blaze your own path is absolutely essential. The solution? Don’t get lost in the first place.

But when you’ve been walking in circles for hours and your day hike is stretching into an overnight, that saying is cold comfort. How to Find Your Bearings With a Compass.How to Find Your Location with a Compass.What are the Different Types of Compasses?.Join the class now and learn at your own pace. In our 7-part Backcountry Navigation course on Outside LEARN, you’ll learn everything you need to know to navigate on- and off-trail, from using GPS and digital maps to wayfinding the old-school way with a paper map and compass. Master the art of navigation, and you’ll never use your way again.

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How to use a compass