Have you ever gone off-trail to relieve yourself and wondered what you would do if you got turned around? Maybe you need to get back to your vehicle before a thunderstorm rolls in but you aren’t sure you trust yourself to take an off-trail shortcut. This course teaches the off-trail map & compass skills needed for just such occasions.

Have you been telling yourself for years you would learn map & compass navigation but the opportunity never presented itself? This is your chance to learn it once and for all from Search and Rescue personnel. We’ll go over all the parts and features of the compass as well as becoming proficient with traveling along an azimuth (bearing) and feeling confident when navigating off-trail. Simplifying the way the skills are taught, focusing on correct compass stance form, training to a high accuracy when sighting landmarks, and overall simplification combined with proper technique repetition are what set this course apart. We’ll also dive into overall map reading, such as understanding all the symbols on a map, trail configurations, and reading contour lines like you’re reading a picture book. Students walk away with a level of confidence they did not think possible for their future adventures and now have the skills to get safely home even when… slightly misplaced.

A compass and a map will be provided for use during class if needed. More details provided after class registration.

Featured Topics:

Map reading including understanding contour lines

Orienteering techniques

Using a compass with a map

Compass use in the field