How to use a compass and a card: easy instructions

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This instructions for using a compass and a card should be enough to make it easier for you to get started and give you self -confidence, to use the skills in the mountains for yourself

As a student, I was lucky enough to learn how to deal with compass and map. I then spent most of two decades to apply these basic skills in the British landscape without ever having them really tested.

I only found out how crucial these skills are at a white-out at the summit of the Scottish Ben Nevis during a winter mountaineering course. Fortunately (or rather thanks to the well -planned route of the course), we had spent the day before refreshing our navigation skills in a less enemy environment.

On the stony plateau of Great Britain's highest mountain, my team and I were able to navigate and avoid one of his notorious and fatal gorges from the mountain away and avoid.

It was an exciting day, but I was very grateful for the refresher day, which was built on what I learned as a school boy many years ago. These skills are even used under water when navigating - essentially the same rules apply.

How to use a compass and a card

Against this background, I wrote the following instructions for using a compass and a card. This should be enough to make it easier for you to get started and give you self -confidence for more adventurous expeditions.

Compass functions

The most important thing first, you have to know the different functions of the compass and their purpose.

wie-man-ein-kompass-und-kartendiagramm-benutzt

  • Base plate: the transparent plastic base.
  • Lünette / compass housing: the groove ring that encloses the compass needle. It usually has a marker every two degrees that covers 360 degrees, as well as the four main compass points (NSEW).
  • Compass pin: The red end of a compass always shows north. It floats on liquid so that it can turn freely.
  • Orientation / compass lines: The lines on the underside of the base plate.
  • Orientation arrow: Fastened inside the bezel / compass housing and aligned to the north.
  • Index line: basically fixed an extension of the direction of direction (7) and inside the outer edge.
  • Trip arrow: The large arrow at the end of the base plate.
  • Card and compass standards: 1: 25,000, 1: 50,000 and metric measuring device (known as Romer standards).

    • Find north

    North is north, isn't it? If only ...

    The following is not so important over short distances because it hardly makes a difference. However, there is a difference between the magnetic north on the compass and the lattice -shaped north on your map.

    This varies in different regions of the world. So be prepared depending on your location and the removal covered that this can affect your navigation.

    Diagramm der drei NordenOrder measurementThere are three different north!

    There are actually three different north!

  • True north: The geographical north (where the "North Pole" is located), which is defined by the rotation of the earth around its own axis.
  • Rasternord: The north, where the grid lines on their map show (top on the map).
  • Magnetic north: Your compass shows that. The magnetic north is slowly moving at variable speed.

    • The needle of her compass always shows to the Magnetic north. Information about this "magnetic declination" is usually printed on hiking cards such as Ordnance Surnance, which tell you how much you have to take into account.

    In most parts of the United Kingdom, the difference is approximately two degrees, so you should set your compass by turning the bezel against two degrees against clockwise. Maybe you would like to mark this point with adhesive tape or a marker.

    In some parts of the world, the difference can be up to 20 degrees. Make sure you know the magnetic declination in the area where you hike, and if your card does not contain it, get a better one!

    Wie benutzt man einen Kompass und eine Karte Frau, die einen Kompass betrachtetAnnatamila/ShutterstockKnowing how to deal with compass and map can save lives

    Use of a compass

    There are four main uses for a compass:

  • Your course: you know in which direction you are traveling.
  • Set the card: Align your card at your surroundings or orient it.
  • A bearing: Determine the direction in which a feature or a goal is related to your location.
  • Follow the bearing: Follow a straight line of movement.

    • Do you know your heading

  • Hold the compass in front of your chest so that the direction of direction points in the direction you drive.
  • Turn the bezel so that n is aligned with the red end of the compass needle.
  • The number (in degrees) on the edge of the bezel on the index line is your direction.

    • Determine the card

    You have to adjust the card with your compass and align it so that it corresponds to the surrounding landscape. This makes it easier to relate what you see on the map with what you see on the floor.

  • Place the card flat.
  • Place the compass at any point on the map.
  • Turn the card and compass until the needle on the compass matches the north-south grid lines on the map. The red end of the needle must point to the top of the card.

    • Nehmen einer KartenpeilungJessicahyde/ShutterstockKnow how to set the card and orient yourself

    Orient yourself

  • Find a feature on the map that you want to control.
  • Identify this feature on the floor.
  • Place the compass on the map so that the orientation lines on the compass tip match your route to the feature on the map.
  • Turn the bezel without moving the card or compass so that the orientation arrow on the map shows north - the number (in degree) on the edge of the bezel on the index line is the bearing that you have to follow.
  • Remove the compass from the card and keep it so that the direction of direction shows you directly from you.
  • Turn your body, including the compass, until the red end of the needle is within the orientation arrow.
  • The direction of travel should now point to the feature or the goal - this is the bearing that you will follow.

    • Follow a bearing

  • Follow the direction that is displayed by the direction of travel until you reach your feature or target.
  • Keep checking your bearing on the go by constantly checking your direction of direction.
  • If possible, identify the floor features that are in your direction of travel and on your card.

    • Video playlist

    This comprehensive series of Video by Ordnance Surnance about the use of a compass and a map and other aspects of navigation is one of the best I have seen.

    More resources

    • Beginner guidelines for using a compass, Ornance Survey
    • The ten foundations of the mountaineers
    • Rambler's UK navigation section
    • Fundamentals of the navigation (part of the series of rows for navigation)
    • Mining: The freedom of the hills
    • Navigation in the Mountains: The definitely Guide for Hill Walkers, Mountainers & Leaders is the official navigation book for all mountain training programs (Mountain Training Handbook)
    • Be an expert with a card and compass: the complete orientation skating manual

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