I've just recently been learning about navigation. I have looked at many, many online sites and by far you are the best!!! Thank you! Have you consider doing videos? There is a need for some good ones. ~ Karen

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Thanks for your ideas ! By the way I am from Nepal, you said that you love hiking and spend times in mountains, you are heartlh welcome in our country of mountains and hills.

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Greetings from Raymond, WA.
I have a compass with adjustable declination.  I looked up my location and I believe Raymond, WA. was 15 deg. Positive

Looking at my compass, I have no idea if I turn the bezel/adjustment Left or Right to get the 15 deg. adjustment.  can you give me a step by step to set my compass so it is adjusted for declination.  Also, do you have a favorite compass for field use?

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@Ron - Checking at NOAA, the magnetic declination for Raymond, WA is 15° 57' East.  That means the north compass needle is actually pointing about 16 degrees east rather than straight north.

The best I can do to explain declination and how to adjust your compass is on this page.
You'd twist your declination adjustment clockwise so the "orienting arrow" is 16 degrees clockwise (or to the right) from the North mark on the dial.
Now, when the north end of the compass needle is aligned with the orienting arrow, and the North mark on the dial is aligned with the direction-of-travel arrow, you will be facing north.
The parts of the compass are described on this page.

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Thanks for your great site.
I've been trying to locate an orienteering class near our cabin in the Sierra. Closest one is a couple of hours away so I bought a couple of books and have been studying.
You've made your info very easy to understand.
Trying to learn UTM also, Harrison maps are 1:63,360 scale. Why is there no tool for this scale map? I see 1:50,000 1:24000 etc but no 1:63,360.

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Greetings from Belarus (it’s between Poland and Russia). Thank you very much for your site. My son did radio direction finding  when he was 9 and developed a love for maps. Still missing his hobby, hopes to resume next year He is 12 now and he learns English at school and I think he will enjoy your site. The information is comprehensive and so easy to understand. I haven’t seen many sites of this kind, yet I think yours is the best – I found everything I was interested in and the information is such clear and concise. Thank you so much

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During Hurricane Florence this summer, many residents from Charleston and lower part of state of SC were evacuated because of storm.  Now FIRE in CA. Makes us realize just how real we may NEED TO KNOW HOW TO USE a map and compass. I am using these experiences to teach 3 nieces and nephews about their uses (for Christmas).   Ages are 13, 10, and 9.  Any suggestions for a Compass for each? & What about for their Dad & Mom?  Also, is the info on your website available in "Book" form and at what cost, or is it ok to print it?

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I just wanted to drop a line and tell you how much I enjoy your site, and was curious if you had a YouTube channel that also teaches map and compass skills?

Thanks, and keep up the good work with the site.

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@Chris - Thanks.  No youtube channel. :-(  I present navigation skills in-person so I really should record a few activities - we'll see.

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I have an existential question! I'm looking to buy a new compass and which one would be better? Baseplate or Mirror to use in the field. I'll plot the hike at home on a map, then bring the map and compass with me. I was thinking of a mirror one, and hesitating between the SILVA Expedition (not S, not 4) and the Suunto MC-2 (not global).

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@Diablo - Mirror compasses tend to be heavier and bulkier, and I've not found the benefit worth the weight.  But, then you'd also have a mirror for other uses.

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