It’s easy to forget how much you know about wilderness navigation until you’re lost in the woods. You’ll find yourself trying to remember how to use a compass, or what your last reference point was.
That’s why we’ve created this handy list of tips and tricks for getting from beginner hiker to expert navigator. We’ll show you how to create a backup plan, use a map, use GPS units effectively and more!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Wilderness navigation is an essential skill for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts. |
| Using tools such as maps, compasses, and GPS devices can help navigate through natural environments. |
| Avoid common mistakes such as not carrying the right maps or equipment and checking bearings regularly. |
| Improve your skills by practicing, being familiar with the area, and joining a navigation group to learn from experienced navigators. |
| Wilderness navigation offers exciting experiences, but safety should always be a priority. |
Learn the Basics
Before you start navigating (or even hiking) in the wilderness, it’s important to have a good understanding of the basics.
A compass is one of the most essential tools for navigation. It helps you determine where north is and provides direction when you’re lost or trying to find your way back home.
The first step to using a compass is learning how to hold it properly and read its markings without any confusion or frustration. Once you’ve mastered that skill, you’ll be ready for some real-world navigation situations!
Navigating through the wilderness requires more than just a sense of direction. Make sure to learn the basics and avoid common mistakes by checking out our guide on wilderness navigation – the ultimate survival skill.
Create a Backup Plan
When you’re hiking alone, it’s important to have a backup plan. You should always know where your emergency kit is and make sure you have enough water and food for yourself.
It’s also good to have a first aid kit on hand you never know when an accident may happen! And finally, having a way to start a fire is crucial in case something goes wrong.
There are several things that you should do before heading out into the wilderness:
Create an itinerary with specific points of interest along the way so that if anything happens to prevent you from making it there by yourself (like getting lost), someone else can find them easily when looking for clues about where they went after receiving no response from them after 24 hours of searching time has passed since last contact being made with another person who knew what was going on (in this case me).
At this point there were two options: return home immediately; or continue trying until eventually reaching some sort of conclusion as far as whether this mission would succeed or fail without any input from anyone else involved except myself – which would mean giving up all hope on ever finding out what happened during those missing years between 2006-2011 since no one else knows anything about them either.”
Backup Plan Strategies and Tools
| Strategies | Tools |
|---|---|
| Have a communication plan with family and friends in case of emergency | Mobile phones, walkie-talkies |
| Keep important documents secure and easily accessible | Safes, fireproof document bags |
| Create digital backups of important files | External hard drives, cloud storage services (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox) |
| Know evacuation routes and emergency shelters in the area | AAA Roadside Assistance, FEMA mobile app |
| Have backup power sources for important devices | Generators, solar chargers |
Establish a Communication Plan
Before you head out on the trail, you should have a plan in place for communication. That means thinking about how you’re going to communicate with each other if things go wrong or someone becomes separated from the group.
You might think it’s enough to just have everyone know that they can call 911 and/or their parents if they get lost or injured, but that’s not always true.
For example, if there are multiple adults who are hiking together (say a family), they may be more comfortable reaching out to one another first before calling 911 and this is entirely fine!
The best way to set up your communication plan is by creating an emergency contact list: who needs to be contacted right away in case of emergency? Who would need help getting back on track if they got lost? What do they want done with their pets?
This can all go into your phone so when something does happen and people start panicking, it’s easy for others around them who aren’t as panicked yet (ie: children) will be able to see what steps need taking next without having any kind of memory loss about what happened earlier in time due solely on panic itself causing confusion within rational thought processes which makes sense since we’re all human beings after all.
Nothing beats the experience of navigating the wilderness using a map and compass. Are you unsure how to use one? Check out our guide on how to use a map and compass like a pro and get ready to explore more terrains.
Use a Compass
This is a very useful tool and you should learn how to use it. A compass is an instrument that allows us to find our direction in the wilderness by using the Earth’s magnetic field. It helps us determine where we are (direction) and where we want to go (distance).
Compass basics
The first step for using a compass correctly is learning how to orientate it correctly with respect to the map. This means lining up your map so that top of your map matches with top of your compass housing or lense as closely as possible.
Compass rose shows cardinal direction: north, south, east and west from 0 degrees (red) through 90 degrees (white).
To find true north take away declination from magnetic north on your compass rose — this gives you true north
Choosing a Compass for Wilderness Navigation
| Compass | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| Baseplate Compass | Inexpensive, easy to use, features a straight edge | Suunto A-10, Silva Starter 1-2-3 |
| Lensatic Compass | Durable, accurate, features a sighting lens | Cammenga Phosphorescent Lensatic |
| Thumb Compass | Lightweight, hands-free use, compact | Moscompass Model 3, Sun Company Wrist Map |
Navigate with a Map
A map is a representation of the real world. It shows you where features like roads and rivers are, but it also shows you how to get from one place to another. If you get lost in the woods, looking at a map can help you figure out how to get back on track.
Maps use symbols to represent objects and features in the real world. For example, forests can be represented by green dots on maps; lakes can be represented by blue triangles; cities may be represented by red circles with lines around them; and so on.
A symbol doesn’t necessarily mean what it looks like; for example, a square could represent a city or an airport depending on what information is included with it (e.g., “city” or “airport”).
Maps have been standardized so that everyone understands what each symbol stands for when they look at them!
This means that if someone else made their own version of your favorite hiking trail map they would probably draw exactly what yours did–and if they didn’t then they’d probably tell me all about it because I’m always looking out for new ideas
Don’t let mistakes ruin your outdoor adventure. Knowing the most common navigation errors can save you from unpleasant and unwanted situations, learn how to avoid them by checking out our guide on the top 10 wilderness navigation mistakes to avoid.
Never Leave Base Camp without a Trail Map and Compass
Never leave base camp without a map and compass. If you don’t have a map, you can’t navigate, and if you don’t know how to use a compass, learn! Maps are available at all visitor centers and ranger stations for free.
If these options aren’t available to you, there are plenty of websites that offer topographic trail maps.
A good compass is an essential piece of equipment but is just one tool among many that make up a complete navigation system—you should always carry more than one item when exploring the wilderness.
You might think it’s unnecessary to carry such an old-fashioned item as your trusty printout or laminated copy of Google Earth’s satellite view on your hike through the woods (or perhaps even just around town), but unless there’s an app for that in which case I’m sure it would work fine too).
Must-Have Navigation Gear for Base Camp
| Item | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| Topographic Maps | Detailed, shows terrain and key points of interest | National Geographic, US Geological Survey |
| Compass | Accurate, durable, easy to use | Brunton, Suunto |
| GPS Device | Rugged, reliable, easy to read | Garmin, Magellan |
| Altimeter | Measures altitude, convenient during elevation changes | Casio, Sun Company |
| Emergency Beacon | Sends distress signals, essential for a safety net | SPOT Gen4, Garmin inReach |
Know How to Use a GPS Unit
You might be wondering: what’s the difference between a compass and a GPS unit? A compass will show you where north is, and how far away from it you are. It also has a magnetic needle that points in that direction when held level.
A GPS unit (Global Positioning System), on the other hand, finds your location by calculating how long it takes signals from various satellites to reach your device and tells you where they are in relation to yourself.
This can be useful if there’s no land feature nearby like a mountain peak or lake shoreline where one can find their bearings with a compass; otherwise, it is still crucial for navigation because without an accurate map of one’s surroundings these modern devices cannot know exactly where one is at any given moment using just satellite signals alone (no matter how sophisticated).
If using both together then it’s important not only having two separate pieces of equipment but knowing how each works individually so as not confuse them with each other when trying something new!
Navigating through the wilderness can be challenging for both beginners and experienced hikers. Gain some expert tips and techniques on wilderness navigation and avoid getting lost by reading our guide on expert tips for wilderness navigation.
Know Where You Are at All Times
Having a clear idea of where you are at all times is essential to wilderness navigation. There are many ways to do this, but the most basic method is with a map and compass.
Simple navigation tools like maps and compasses can be very effective in helping you find your way around new areas, but they’re not always easy to use.
If you’ve never used one before or don’t know how to read one properly, it could take some getting used to before you feel comfortable using them in the wilds.
That said, if done properly and with care (especially if there are others around who have experience), these methods will serve you well on your next trip into nature!
Practice Navigation in Inclement Weather Conditions
It’s important to practice your navigation skills in a variety of conditions. You should be able to navigate with or without GPS, and in an urban or wilderness setting. Here are some ways you can do this:
Practice with a partner. This can be done with someone who is experienced, or even just another beginner who wants to learn as well! The point here is that you need to trust your partner, so it might not work out if they don’t know what they’re doing yet either—but still worth trying out regardless!
Use only map and compass (or trail map and compass). Make sure that the person leading the way knows exactly where they want everyone else to go—and then when people get lost/confused/etc., figure out how quickly each person gets back on track based on their individual strengths/weaknesses (remembering also not everyone has equal experience).
Some ideas include: A) Hiking through dense woods during summer months when there’s no foliage around; B) Following animal tracks through open fields where visibility isn’t hindered by trees; C) Navigating through city streets at night time after dark because there are street lights everywhere which makes it easier for us humans’ eyesight capabilities.”
The wilderness holds fascinating experiences for hikers and adventurers. Make sure you are prepared to explore and enjoy by checking out our guide on 10 tips for navigating the wilderness like a pro, and never let being a beginner hold you back from the adventure of a lifetime.
Take Test Runs on Your Hiking Trails before You Go for the Real Deal
Test runs are a great way to practice navigation in inclement weather conditions, or even at night. You’ll know what it feels like to travel through these areas, and you will be able to confidently plan your route for the day.
If you have friends that hike often, consider inviting them along on these test runs. You can learn from each other’s mistakes as well as share stories about how far you got before getting lost!
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
You may be thinking, “What’s the big deal?” But having a firm grasp of your surroundings is critical to safe navigation.
When you are lost or injured, being aware of your surroundings can help keep you alive and safe when faced with unexpected challenges.
It’s easy to get so caught up in what you’re doing that you become oblivious to everything else around you.
This attention deficit can lead people into dangerous situations by making them unaware of potential hazards. Being aware of your surroundings means being able to anticipate potential threats and take charge in potentially dangerous situations that arise unexpectedly.
Always Find Three Points of Reference Along Your Route
One of the most important things you can do to be successful at wilderness navigation is to always have three points of reference along your route.
A point of reference is an identifiable object, landmark or feature that you can use as a guide in helping find your way back.
In order to find three points of reference along your route and ensure that you don’t get lost, there are some things that must be kept in mind:
Always know where you are at all times. This means being able-minded enough to identify certain features on the ground so as not to get confused and frustrated with “what was there before?” type questions later on down the line after walking some distance from where you were starting out from.
Identify these points early on just so they become second nature when heading out into unfamiliar territory for longer periods of time than usual (more than two days).
You don’t want these points getting lost amongst all other thoughts running through your head while trying hard not get lost this time around!
Conclusion
So, there you have it. A comprehensive guide to wilderness navigation that will help you get the most out of your next trip into the wilderness.
Remember, practice makes perfect! The more you practice these skills before embarking on an actual hike, the better off you’ll be when things go wrong (and they will).
If you follow all of our tips and tricks above and maybe even add a few more of your own then I promise: You’ll be ready for anything!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you learn more about wilderness navigation:
Woodbadge Orienteering PDF: A comprehensive guide that covers the basics of orienteering and wilderness navigation.
Miss Adventure Pants: Wilderness Navigation Techniques: A detailed blog post that provides tips and techniques for navigation in the wilderness.
Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures: Wilderness Navigation: An informative guide that covers wilderness navigation techniques for hikers, skiers, and climbers.
FAQs
What is wilderness navigation?
Wilderness navigation refers to the art of orienteering or reading terrain features and using tools such as maps, compasses, and GPS devices to navigate through natural environments such as forests, deserts, and mountains.
Why is wilderness navigation important?
Wilderness navigation is important for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers to find their way, avoid getting lost, and stay safe while exploring the wilderness.
What are some essential tools for wilderness navigation?
Some essential tools for wilderness navigation include maps, compasses, GPS devices, altimeters, and topographic maps.
What are some common mistakes to avoid in wilderness navigation?
Some of the most common mistakes to avoid in wilderness navigation include not carrying the right maps or equipment, not orienting the map correctly, not checking your bearings regularly, and not taking into account terrain features.
How can I improve my wilderness navigation skills?
Improving your wilderness navigation skills requires practice, familiarity with the area you will be exploring, and the use of the correct tools. Take the time to learn how to use a compass and read a map, practice your navigation skills in different terrains, and consider taking a course or joining a navigation group to learn from experienced navigators.
Hi! I’m Hellen James, and I am the founder of Unified Survival. I have a deep passion for the wilderness and everything that goes along with it. I’ve been hiking since I was a child, and I grew up camping in state parks all over the country. But it wasn’t until recently that I learned how to survive in the wilderness.