Map and Compass - The Art of Navigation

• Description
• Contents
• Introduction
• Sample Route
• Updates
• Reviews

Preface

This book has come as a result of working with the locationally confused for nearly two decades. I started working for the Peak National Park way back in the early 1980s as a young and keen teacher who, after a year in front of a blackboard, decided to work in the outdoors. Some of my responsibilities involved leading walking holidays and I well remember the first few where I felt that the guests had more experience than I and probably knew where we were better than I did! Imagine the horror when I found I had to lead a map and compass weekend. Yes, I had been through the entire scouting experience in my youth, but I had largely avoided the opportunity to learn anything useful. All I had were the rudiments of how to use a map and compass.

I read the few books I could find, constructed a few simple diagrams for handouts and overhead projection and sat back to await the fateful day. Participants duly arrived and after a filling meal, sat down to listen to my words of wisdom. Off I launched, slowly beginning to enjoy the process, realising that those in front of me were true beginners. All went well to start with until heard a voice from the back. ‘No, you don’t do it that way.’ My eyes fell on Donna, a seasonal lecturer at the centre who I’d just beaten to the full-time post. She proceeded to explain the process that I’d fumbled over. (18 years later she’s still putting me right – I married her!)

After that first embarrassment I got better, realising the best way to learn map and compass skills was to go out and do it, backing-up this practice by reading a good book. You’re holding the good book and throughout the following pages there will be plenty of opportunities for you to get out, enjoy a walk and practise your developing skills.

Enjoy yourself!

Pete Hawkins, 2003