Newbie question

[spickus]

I'm just getting familiar with a compass and have been reading how to use them. All the directions I find state that to find your course from a map to place your compass on the map between two points and align the orienting lines with the map grid lines. Most compasses have either an arrow or red lines to indicate north like this:

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/6457/compass.gif

How do you do that with a compass like this:

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/9881/1889841.jpg

There is no arrow or 'red end' to indicate north.

[skinewmexico]

The green arrow is north. You just have to set that kind of compass beside the area of interest and eyeball it. Or buy a different compass.

[spickus]

Yes, the green arrow points north just like every other compass. What do the two parallel black lines do and how do I use them? Why do they not indicate north like other compasses?

[Spokes]

Yep, green arrow is magnetic North. Use the outer compass body edge as your orienting line and adjust the bezel to align your direction of travel arrow.

[spickus]

So as I'm walking and get turned around, how do prevent myself from walking 180 degrees from my intended heading? Which end of the two parallel lines do "Put the red in the shed"?

[Wise Old Owl]

West and East line up in the parallel lines. OK Try this, align the green arrow and the moving arrow by rotating the bezel and the base is now the general direction of travel. The Bezel is the "memory" so when you look at it again you can align it up again without having to remember the degrees. Both compasses are used the same the other face plate is from an orienteering compass with a sight. Let me ponder on this for a better answer.

Lots of compasses have unique useage lines for bearing off and other features that have been forgotten.

[Spokes]

So as I'm walking and get turned around, how do prevent myself from walking 180 degrees from my intended heading? Which end of the two parallel lines do "Put the red in the shed"?

Use the Silva 1-2-3 System .

[spickus]

Thank you Wise Old Owl. I didn't see the difference between the two until you pointed out that the parallel lines on the lensatic always orient east and west while the orienteering compass always points north. I got stuck on 'boxing' the needle and was determined to treat the two the same. Why does the lensatic have parallel lines running east and west?

[Wise Old Owl]

Lots of compasses have unique useage lines for bearing off and other features that have been forgotten. My guess is that that would make walking direction taking for E/W less of a chore.

Review this area:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyQ02bN4H-c

[10-K]

I've found learning map and compass skills from books and other printed material pretty confusing...

Tonight the Asheville REI has an intro to map and compass that I'm going to and this Saturday at the Sugarlands Visitor's Center in GSMNP there is an 8 hour beginner class on topomap reading and compass skills that I'm going to. I bet I learn more in these 2 classes than I've been able to teach myself in the last 2 years.....

[hiker1217]

Hey, is there anyone that can send me maps from Harpers Ferry south
around 100 miles. Looking for a freebie.
Thanks

[Wise Old Owl]

I've found learning map and compass skills from books and other printed material pretty confusing...

Tonight the Asheville REI has an intro to map and compass that I'm going to and this Saturday at the Sugarlands Visitor's Center in GSMNP there is an 8 hour beginner class on topomap reading and compass skills that I'm going to. I bet I learn more in these 2 classes than I've been able to teach myself in the last 2 years.....

The U-Tube above is worth checking out and there are other suggestions on the right after that finishes.

[Wise Old Owl]

Hey, is there anyone that can send me maps from Harpers Ferry south
around 100 miles. Looking for a freebie.
Thanks

loads of suggestions - have you tried Google Earth and uploading the KML?


how about this! Make your own map

http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site...active_Map.htm

[Mags]

Best online link IMO:
http://www.learn-orienteering.org/old/

[IronGutsTommy]

yeah the 1 2 3 method spokes mentioned works well. where the 3 lines intersect, "you are here"

[10-K]

Went to the REI class on map and topo reading last night. It was pretty good actually. Basic as basic could be - I knew about 95% of what we were taught but what was good about it for me was that I got to ask a couple of really stupid questions I've always want to ask someone which helped me out tremendously.

Looking forward to the all day class this Saturday.

[mudhead]

If you didn't feel you could ask those questions here, then this website has lost utility.

[10-K]

I needed a definiitive answer. If you ask a question here you'll get 20 different conflicting opinions.

That's part of what I love about this place BTW.

[leaftye]

I should force myself to practice orienteering this fall & winter. I get the ideas, but I'm very slow to apply them. Reading and watching videos about it isn't nearly enough. If I was stressed, my current level of proficiency would drop to nothing. I experienced this earlier this year when I walked in circles for a couple of hours until I forced myself to go in the general direction I knew I had to go. In that case, it would put me on a ridge I couldn't mistake.

If you didn't feel you could ask those questions here, then this website has lost utility.

It has gone negative lately. I guess the approaching end of nobo thru hiking season is making people grumpy. There are a couple members that seem to do little more than tell people they suck and they're going to fail.

[Spokes]

Best online link IMO:
http://www.learn-orienteering.org/old/

Mags, there is some good info there but lots of dead links too!