Trying to understand how a map relates to what’s on the ground can be tricky. It requires the brain to do a lot of stuff that ...

Using a compass is an essential skill. It’s like having a mental roll of duct tape: You don’t know when you’re going to use it, and it might kick around unused for a long time, but when you ...

One of the basics of compass use is always using it with a map to know where you are. So, having it close at hand is essential, and the lanyard hole helps you do that. Basics of How to Read a ...

If you see a valley on your left, then the valley shows on the left on the map. You can do this by eye or with your compass. Using Land Features: Lay the map on the ground or hold it horizontally.

Following a GPX track is fine but it can feel a bit like being on autopilot. It allows you to switch off from properly reading the landscape. Having to carefully read a map, plot your route own ...

This is why basic compass and map skills are so important. "Using a map with a compass is a skill that a lot of most people probably don't possess anymore," Bieri said.

About seven months after the Army reintroduced land navigation to its Basic Leader Course, or BLC, half of the soldiers in that pilot program have failed the training.. BLC is a 22-day school for ...

Even with an endless list of navigational apps and gadgets, it’s best to be prepared with an old school compass. After all, apps can crash, phone batteries die, and service can get lost in remote ...