FUNDAMENTALS OF LAND NAVIGATION

LEARN MAP AND COMPASS SKILLS

A solid foundation in land navigation is essential for anyone who enjoys traveling in the backcountry, including hikers, hunters, peak baggers, mountaineers, skiers and splitboarders. This course teaches you how to confidently plan routes, interpret maps and use a compass to navigate and “stay found” in mountainous terrain. You will build skills through a mix of classroom instruction and hands-on field practice. The course concludes with a fun orienteering challenge where you race the clock and your classmates to find a series of waypoints. It is a great way to put your new skills to the test and see how much you have learned.

TOPICS COVERED

• Map symbols and scales

• Terrain features and contour lines

• MGRS and UTM grid systems

• Magnetic declination and how to apply it

• How to use a compass

• Intersection and resection techniques

• Tactics for terrain association and backcountry travel

COURSE DETAILS