Map and Compass - The Art of Navigation

Guidebook on the art of navigation from first stages to GPS. For everyone from the complete novice to the experienced hillwalker. Explanations on the different type of tools available to help in finding your way. Fully illustrated with the author’s own photographs and OS and other mapping. Appendices outlining further practice techniques and useful sources of information.

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