Thread: Map and compass techniques

I am so bad that I think my compass is lying to me when looking at the GPS Its a mind fuck that its the other way around. Have started leaving the gps in my pack

Originally Posted by Gibo

I am so bad that I think my compass is lying to me when looking at the GPS Its a mind fuck that its the other way around. Have started leaving the gps in my pack

These wise words from my father always see me right...

1. The compass is right
2. The map is right
3. You are wrong

Doubt the doubt and trust your tools.

Originally Posted by Shooter

These wise words from my father always see me right...

1. The compass is right
.

Wise words alright... but move the compass around a bit to ensure nothing is causing a local deviation... Proximity to magnetic fields from phones/GPS/Iron sand concentrations/guns/head lamp batteries, any old iron... etc.

Originally Posted by LBD

Wise words alright... but move the compass around a bit to ensure nothing is causing a local deviation... Proximity to magnetic fields from phones/GPS/Iron sand concentrations/guns/head lamp batteries, any old iron... etc.

Good point LBD and ensure the compass is level and the needle is able to swing freely.

Originally Posted by Shooter

These wise words from my father always see me right...

1. The compass is right
2. The map is right
3. You are wrong

Doubt the doubt and trust your tools.

Them's wise words alright

I've had plenty of times that my inbuilt navigational sense has been at odds with the tools -invariably the tools have been right.

Points I've noticed about my own estimations
1/ At the end of the day when I'm tired, I tend to underestimate how far away camp is - I'm buggered and I'm willing myself to be closer to my food and bed than I actually am.
2/ When I've been moving in slow careful stalking mode I overestimate how far I've travelled. If I stalk up a spur or stream from the main valley I'm always shocked as to how quickly I get back to the start point once I've switched back to tramping mode.

When what the tools are indicating to you is a suprise the question to ask is How have I screwed this up? rather than What is wrong with this bl**dy compass? !
Ignore your ego - it tends to talk Sh*t