Field Activity 10: Navigation with Map and Compass

Introduction

In this weeks lab assignment we used the navigation maps created in Field Activity 3 to navigate through a course of 5 points at the UW-Eau Claire Priory created by our professor using only a compass and a copy of the maps we created. To successfully complete this lab we needed to orient ourselves so we could navigate from one point to the next. In groups of three students we were each assigned a different route to take as to challenge us to really test our navigation skills. We were in groups of three as it is necessary to have at least this many people to properly complete a distance-bearing navigation. The roles of each person are as follows: one will be needed to hold and use the compass, another to count paces and the final person to be the runner. 

Methods

Each group was first given the same starting point and a specific order in which we were to navigate the course. We were also given a list of point coordinates in decimal degrees which we plotted on the map which we created in Field Activity 3 (Fig. 1). When first creating the maps we were advised to create one which utilized decimal degrees and another which used lat/long to measure the UTM grids which were overlaid on all our maps.

(Fig. 1) This was the map we used primarily for our navigation. The other map we were given used lat/long which was of no use to us because we were given the navigation point locations in decimal degrees.

Once we had plotted the course points on our maps we were given instructions on how to properly use a compass from a fellow UWEC geography student, Zach Hilgendorf who is very knowledgeable when it comes to orienteering. He gave us instructions on how to properly conduct distance-bearing navigation to get from one point to another using only our maps and a compass. The first thing we were instructed to do was to assign roles for each of our 3 group members to one of the following jobs: bearing locator, runner and pace counter. 

The bearing locator's job is to use the compass to determine the direction that the runner should head in (Fig. 2). To find the bearing using the compass the edge must be lined up with the point where we were already located and the next desired location point. It's important to make sure that the travel arrow is pointed towards the direction you desired to go in. Also, the north arrow on the compass must be pointing towards true north according to our maps. After all of this is done the bearing can be determined using the bearing line, which when located means the compass can then be lifted off of the map. Next it is the person who was given the job of bearing locator to align the red north arrow up with the other red north arrow on the bezel which rotates. This is also known as putting "red in the shed". In order to start using the compass properly the direction of the travel arrow needs to be pointed towards the bearing of the location of your next destination. Now, it is the runner's job to move in the bearing direction as guided by the bearing locator to a landmark which can easily be navigated to. Next the pace counter will count the number of paces they are taking to determine the distance towards the point. Based on their pace they are able to determine approximately how far the destination point is to the beginning location. 

(Fig. 2) This is a compass similar to the one we used in this lab. The features which were mentioned throughout this lab are labeled here: 

1: base plate with ruler for measuring map scale, 2: rotating bezel, 3: rotating needle, 5: orienting arrow that is fixed on the rotating bezel and used to point north, 6: bearing line fixed on the base plate, 8: direction of travel arrow. 

Once our group had all of the points plotted and distances measured we made our way to the starting point, found our first bearing and headed into the Priory. It was difficult to navigate through the area because there were very tall thorn-covered plants and large trees which made it impossible to move in a straight line. It was very useful to have a third person in that situation though so we could maneuver around trees or thick areas of vegetation and still make sure we were going in the correct bearing direction. We found the first point quickly and then the second point took a bit longer because we had to navigate around a very steep slope which led to a valley rather than trying to go down and up it. It then became clear just how important it was in this lab to think critically and problem solve. It was much more difficult to make our way to the third point because that point was actually fairly close to the first point so we initially thought we were going in the wrong direction but once we checked our work we found we were correct and made our way to the third point. The fourth point proved to be difficult because we were forced down the steep slope and into the valley and then needed to make our way back up to get to the next point. The final point we navigated too we went past because we did not see it. Since we did not have pace measurements on either of our maps we struggled knowing how far we had traveled and how much further we needed to travel. 

Discussion

There were definitely some advantages and disadvantages to using the distance bearing technique in this lab activity. The first problem was our maps. We knew prior to making them in field activity 3 that we would only be given a compass alongside them to navigate a course of points however after completing the lab I could think of many changes I would have liked to make on the map which would have made the process much easier. For instance, we did not include our pace count on either of the maps which would have been extremely useful in calculating the distance from point to point. One benefit to our map was that it showed the entire area of the Priory rather than just the area of interest we were given. Since the entire navigation course was outside of the area of interest we were lucky that one of our maps had this area shown on a map. Also, other groups had problems because they had overlaid their legend on top of the map data and since we didn't know ahead of time where our navigation course would be within the Priory their legend ended up covering the entire course. This was not something I had thought of when creating my navigation map but it was something that was a very valuable learning point in this lab. 

Not only did we face difficulties with the maps but it was also tricky to make our way from point to point because of the very steep hills covered in loose soil and the thick foliage which was made up of primarily thorn-covered plants. We all seemed to agree that we should have dressed better, planning for the worst rather than expecting our paths to be "easy". 

Despite these problems we were able to navigate the course quite well. Our bearings were somewhat off but close enough that we were not more than 20 feet from each point so we were able to find them easily. 

Conclusion

This activity was very useful in learning how to properly conduct the distance bearing navigation technique. We had beautiful weather conditions and great instruction thanks to our instructors. It was very beneficial to learn how to navigate properly with only a map and a compass as most of us had not done so before. Despite the thorns which left us pretty cut up, we all managed to navigate the course with only a few problems.