Map Reading and Navigation

map reading and navigationMap Reading and Navigation

The art of Navigation and Map Reading is an essential skill for those of us who want to do more in the outdoors. It’s also essential as part of becoming a qualified Mountain Leader (ML), where you’ll need to be proficient in micro navigation as well as night navigation.

We’ve an entire free navigation course below with more advanced modules to come on winter navigation, using technology, How to pass your ML Micronav and the Complete guide to Night Navigation.

Read below to find out why navigation skills are important on the hill, how to use a compass, how to read a map as well as more advanced skills like re-sectioningsetting the map and taking a bearing.

Navigation Skills 13 Resectioning

This is the classic map reading skill, where you can determine your location accurately by pinpointing two or three other features. Transit Lines – This is when a number of features will line up directly from one location. This will provide you with a perfect line – and you’ll be located somewhere along that line.

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Navigational Skills 5 All you wanted to know about Naismith’s Rule and Route Timing

Naismith’s rule, named after William W. Naismith, was devised in 1892 to estimate the time taken to cover distances in the mountains. He estimated that you: allow 1 hour per 5km walked and 1 hour for every 600m ascended. If you ever do a Mountain Leader or Navigation course, then you’ll have this drummed into

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Tranter’s Corrections?

Tranter’s corrections are often quoted, but seem to be based on a strange premise of what constitutes fitness. The table below then corrects your Naismith Time depending on your level of ‘fitness’. It also goes as far as saying that this walk’s too much for you slow coach. All well and good, but my fully

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5 Good reasons to get a GPS…

1 – It tells you where you are. You can switch it on, and simply find out your location. Most modern GPS devices will lock onto the satellites pretty quickly and provide you with a grid reference. Just make sure that your GPS is set to British National Grid and that you can transfer your grid

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