{"id":1223,"date":"2019-11-25T11:25:02","date_gmt":"2019-11-25T18:25:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/?p=1223"},"modified":"2020-04-17T10:29:17","modified_gmt":"2020-04-17T16:29:17","slug":"map-and-compass-backcountry-basics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/map-and-compass-backcountry-basics\/","title":{"rendered":"Map and Compass Backcountry Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Escaping the crowds and adventuring into the depths of the backcountry beholds countless rewards during all seasons. Whether you\u2019re searching for a choice basecamp, untouched lines, or new routes with unique objectives, the backcountry is all about getting out and getting the f*** away. To do so, carrying a map and compass is necessary for backcountry explorers. But it\u2019s not enough to just <\/span>carry<\/span><\/em> these items… Without knowing how to use them, they are as useless as if you left them in the car. Whether this info is brand new to you, or you\u2019re looking to reacquaint yourself with the skills, let\u2019s go over a few map and compass backcountry basics.<\/span><\/p>\n

READING A MAP<\/h4>\n

I may be a bit of a geography geek, but maps are friggin\u2019 awesome – they’re a 2-D way to illustrate a 3-D world! At first, all the squiggle lines may seem daunting but once you understand basic concepts, the world will soon be your skiing oyster.<\/p>\n

SCALE:<\/b> For starters, we want to check the scale of our maps. This is key for backcountry travel because when 1 inch equals 1 mile on a certain map scale, 1 inch can equal 10 miles on another map scale. Neither you nor your partner will be happy with that route if you weren\u2019t prepared for it.  So what is the map scale for your planned adventure region? There should be a scale somewhere on your map that looks something like 1:24000, which means one inch equals 24,000 inches in reality. A large scale, such as 1:50000 means the map covers a vaster area and probably contains less detail. There should also be a representative scale to help visualize real-world distances. Using the edge of your compass, you can obtain rough estimates about hiking distances based on the maps\u2019 scale.<\/span><\/p>\n

CONTOUR LINES: <\/b>These are the fingerprint-looking squiggle lines on your topographical map. What a contour is trying to demonstrate is the 3D terrain in a 2D medium (i.e. paper.) The closer together the lines appear, the steeper the terrain. Contrarily, more spaced out lines signify more moderate terrain. Think of it like you were heliskiing and looking down at the towering points from above; what do they look like from this bird’s eye view? This is what the contour lines demonstrate.
\nHere is a great visual of the concept provided by REI:<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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Visual contour concept provided by REI, steep vs gentle slopes topo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While studying your map, you\u2019ll likely see some contour lines are bolded with numbers. These are known as <\/span>Index Contour Lines<\/span><\/strong>. An Index Contour Line occurs every fifth line and provides elevation readings. The change in elevation from one contour line to the next will be consistent within the same map. Most maps will have either a 40-or-80-foot <\/span>contour interval. <\/span><\/strong>For example, if your map has an 80-foot interval, between each contour line there are 80 vertical feet between the next closest line. Your map legend should list the contour interval. <\/span><\/p>\n

If you see contour lines with little tick markers around them, check the elevation numbers. Most likely, this is a depression. <\/span><\/p>\n

Blue lines indicate water, such as rivers, streams or lakes. However, maps do not reflect seasonal change. Thus, there is always a chance those streams or creeks can be dried up depending on the time of year you\u2019re adventuring. <\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to contour lines, take a moment to familiarize yourself with your maps\u2019 legend. Each map will use unique icons to communicate important features. Some common icons are campsite locations, bathrooms, trailheads, and ranger stations. Knowing what amenities are around and available comes in handy when planning an adventure. Where are you sleeping? Where is a water source? Where is the nearest exit in case of emergency? All these answers can be found with a detailed map.<\/p>\n

To practice identifying geographical features, from peaks to ridgelines, open meadows to deep valleys, I suggest practicing in a familiar area. Buy a map, go somewhere you know well and look at how the region is reflected on the map. Now, let\u2019s talk about the next piece of our puzzle – the compass!<\/p>\n

COMPASS ANATOMY<\/b><\/h4>\n

Thank goodness for REI\u2019s graphic design wizards, because I doubt I could create this visual to help with explaining the anatomy. Thank you, REI! The image below helps to easily identify various parts of the compass:<\/p>\n

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REI compass anatomy basics.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

RULERS: <\/span><\/strong>Along the sides, are rulers in various measurement units. These are useful for translating scale on a map to the actual distance of the route.<\/span><\/p>\n

DIRECTION OF TRAVEL ARROW:<\/span><\/strong> This small arrow is critical for taking and following bearings. Make sure it is always pointing in the direction of travel, both on and off the map.<\/span><\/p>\n

BASEPLATE: <\/span><\/strong>The clear, plastic body of your compass. It is clear so that you can see the details of your map below and has at least one straight edge for taking and marking bearings.<\/span><\/p>\n

ROTATING BEZEL: <\/span><\/strong>Also known as the \u201cazimuth ring,\u201d this rotating dial is marked with 360-degrees. A quick cheat is 0 = North, 90 = East, 180 = South, and 270 = West.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, let\u2019s focus specifically on what\u2019s going on near and inside the rotating bezel:<\/span><\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

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REI compass anatomy needle housing details.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

INDEX LINE: <\/span><\/strong>Located directly above the bezel, this is also called a \u201cred bearing here\u201d mark. This marker is useful for reading a bearing.<\/span><\/p>\n

ORIENTING ARROW: <\/span><\/strong>Also referred to as \u201cthe Shed,” this outline is used to orient the bezel. The shape exactly fits the magnetized needle. <\/span><\/p>\n

MAGNETIZED NEEDLE:<\/span><\/strong> The end of the arrow that points to the magnetic pole and is usually red or red-and-white. You may hear me later refer to his as \u201cRed Fred\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

ORIENTING LINES: <\/span><\/strong>These parallel lines rotate with the bezel. When correctly aligned with the north-south lines on a map, it also aligns the orienting arrow with north. Pro tip: pay attention that north on your bezel is pointing to north on your map when lining everything up!<\/span><\/p>\n

DECLINATION ADJUSTMENT: <\/span><\/strong>If your compass doesn\u2019t have the option to adjust declination, you can compensate for the difference between true north versus magnetic north using a few extra steps <\/span>outlined in this REI blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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TRUE NORTH VS MAGNETIC NORTH <\/b><\/h4>\n

So reading that last part of the compass anatomy, you may be thinking \u201cWait, what the hell is declination anyways?\u201d Glad you asked! But, be warned, I\u2019m no scientist so my definition may not be super in-depth. Basically, declination is the degree of difference between True North and Magnetic North based upon your geographical location. As you change location from east to west, so does your declination. This is because what we think of as the top of the globe is our \u201ctrue north.\u201d However, where your compass\u2019 magnetized needle points is a result of the Earth\u2019s magnetic fields and its core elements. These fluctuate in complicated ways and ultimately create a \u201cmagnetic north.\u201d Fortunately, most modern maps have calculated declinations easily identified in the legend. You should see a black arrow labeled TN (true north) and a separate arrow splitting off labeled MN (magnetic north). Whatever degree is listed between is your declination.  <\/span><\/p>\n

Keep in mind, magnetic north shifts throughout the years. Therefore, it is important to have a current map with an up-to-date declination degree. Sorry, no weathered pirate maps to buried treasure allowed! <\/span>Once you know the declination of your region, you can adjust the declination on your map to easily navigate with accuracy.  If you are unfamiliar with how to adjust the declination on your compass, do a quick Google search for a video tutorial of your specific compass brand.<\/span><\/p>\n

PROPER COMPASS POSTURE <\/b><\/h4>\n

Fun fact: most compasses have liquid inside them. Thus, if you tilt the compass in any particular direction, it will slightly alter the direction in which the magnetized needle points. Therefore, it is important to practice proper compass posture! These are the basics:<\/span><\/p>\n