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Teva Tip 21 - Learning to Use a Compass
The compass is an incredible tool that few outdoors people know how to use effectively. And, with the availability of GPS (Global Positioning
Satellite) units, fewer and fewer people are learning to use compasses. They definitely get my vote. Not long ago I was hiking across the mountains of the Wind River Range in Wyoming. I had a
compass and my GPS unit. Wouldn't you know it? The GPS went on the blink. It was at the same time that the WorldTradeCenter was destroyed and I don't know whether satellite feed was stopped or
whether it was just my unit. We were in a place without trails, at 11,500 feet. Later we would learn that all aircraft had been grounded and, had we gotten ourselves lost, rangers would have had to come
look for us by foot.
Learn the most basic way to use your compass and it could save you a lot of unnecessary trouble. First, look at your compass and see where the red part
of the needle is pointing. The red side always points north (at least in the Northern Hemisphere). There is usually an outside ring that can be turned. Turn it until the "N", or north, is in
alignment with the red part of the needle. Fact that way. You are now facing north. It will show as 0 degrees. Look on the compass for east. It will be 90 degrees to the right.
South will be 180 degrees or directly behind you and west will be at 270 degrees to your left. With a compass, it is impossible to lose the four directions.
Now, practice walking in a square by just using your compass. Go to a large field or wooded area. Mark your starting point with a rock or
stick. Walk 20 paces directly north. Do not look up. Look only at your feet. Use your compass to turn 90 degrees to the right and walk 20 paces. Turn 90 degrees to the right and walk
another 20 paces. Finally, make one more turn and walk 20 paces. See how close you come to arriving back at your starting point. Practice by increasing the number of paces.
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