Map and compass
Contents: Map and compass
Why use a map and compass?
Navigation courses
Online navigation resources
Books
Why use a map and compass?
This site’s focus is GPS technology and I don’t spend any time explaining how to navigate with a paper map and compass. However, if you’re new to navigating outdoors and topographic maps, or aren’t confident navigating with a paper map and compass, then you should acquire these skills.
Although a GPS unit makes a fantastic addition to your navigation toolkit it can’t replace a map and compass because…
- You must understand a topographic map to judge if a route is appropriate for your experience, fitness and the conditions you’ll encounter. When unforeseen circumstances force a change to your day, you must plan and navigate a safe route from scratch.
- GPS electronics can fail in many ways and being able to navigate all the time may be essential to stay safe. A waterproofed map and compass provide the most reliable navigation aids you can carry.
Don’t rely on benign weather forecasts to compensate for poor navigation skills. Even on a fine day, changing air can lower the clouds and make it impossible to find your way without navigation skills.
If you need to learn how to use a map and compass or would like to brush up rusty skills, then at the end of this page I’ve shared some useful resources.
“Every hill and mountain walker needs to learn how to interpret a map, and to navigate effectively using a map and compass, including in poor visibility”.
Mountaineering Scotland
No navigation aids are failsafe. Paper maps get blown off cliffs. Magnetic compasses can reverse polarity. However, in over 40 years of outdoor activity I’ve not yet had a map blow away or a compass fail. The electronic units I’ve used haven’t all been so reliable.
Don’t be tempted to head out into challenging terrain with only a smartphone or GPS unit for navigation. An unlucky drop onto a pointy rock or a flat battery will convert it to a paperweight when you really need it. Mountain rescue teams get many callouts to people who have relied solely on their smartphones or who don’t know how to use their map and compass.
Don’t rely on a single electronic navigation device. Have good backups.
If you head out armed with a waterproofed paper map, compass and a GPS device or two, coupled with the ability to use them then you’re very unlikely to get lost.
Outdoor centres around the country provide navigation courses that will teach you map and compass skills. They are a good place to learn. However, it’s not rocket science and you can teach yourself, learning the theory from books and online material.
Whichever method you opt for, build experience carefully. It takes confidence and practise to become competent. Bad conditions and thick fog can make map and compass work very hard. If you get off-route some work is needed to recover as they can’t show you where you are. A challenging winter day out in the Scottish highlands is best left until you’re competent.
Deep Gill, Sca Fell cliffs, Lake District, England.
Navigation courses
I’ve listed a few respected organisations here. The National Navigation Award Scheme website has a ‘Find a course’ section where you can search your area for NNAS course providers.
The National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS)
The British Mountaineering Council
Plas Y Brenin – National Outdoor Centre (North Wales)
Mountaineering Scotland
Glenmore Lodge – Scotland’s Outdoor Training Centre
Online navigation resources
Ordnance Survey
Map Reading Skills – Beginner’s Guides
Map Reading Skills – Advanced Guides
Download ‘From the beginner to the advanced map reader’
Learn how to map read with Steve Backshall and Ordnance Survey (videos)
Mountaineering Scotland
YouTube channel
Introduction to Navigation Webinar video – November 2020
Essential Skills Navigation
Mountaineering Ireland
YouTube channel
Hillwalking video playlist
Books
Ordered according to book sales. Best sellers at the top.
| Book name | Author | ISBN |
| Ultimate Navigation manual | Lyle Brotherton | 9780007424603 |
| Navigation: Techniques and skills for walkers | Pete Hawkins | 9781852844905 |
| Map Reading Skills An introduction to map reading and basic navigation. | Terry Marsh | 9780711749788 |
| Navigation for Walkers The Definitive Guide to Map Reading | Julian Tippett | 9781904207627 |
| Navigation in the Mountains: The Definitive Guide for Hill Walkers, Mountaineers & Leaders | Carlo Forte | 9780954151157 |