Orienting a Map

A map represents the real world. By orienting a map, you are positioning it so its North is actually pointing north. When you orient a map and know where you are on the map, you can look in a certain direction and see a real landmark and find it on the map.

Orienting, or aligning, the map is really easy with just 3 steps:

• Lay your map out on a relatively flat, smooth surface.
• Turn your declination-adjusted compass dial so due North is at the index pointer.
• Place your compass on your map with the edge of the baseplate parallel to the north-south meridians on the map. Notice the orienteering lines and direction-of-travel arrow are all parallel with the map lines.
• Turn the map and compass together until the compass needle is "boxed" in the orienting arrow (Red in the Shed).

Now, the map is oriented to the real world. If you know where you are on the map, you should be able to look in any direction and see the objects represented on the map in the same direction.

If you know where you are on your map, you can also orient your map by distant features. If you can see a known mountain in one direction and a lake off another way, then just lay the map out and turn it so the corresponding marks on the map align with the distant features.

Answer from previous page: Denmark, India, Germany. What is the most important thing to bring with you in case you get lost?   A deck of cards - as soon as you start playing solitaire, someone will find you and say "black six on red seven!"

Search Google News for more 'Lost Hiker' news items.

21 Feb 2021 - Multiple agencies respond to reports of a lost hiker on the Appalachian Trail

24 Feb 2021 - Lost hiker rescued on Mount Washington

01 Feb 2021 - Lost Hiker Rescued In Granada Hills

13 Feb 2021 - Missing Colorado hiker's dog found alive after 8 days as search suspended for man

18 Feb 2021 - Lost hiker with limited vision rescued

16 Feb 2021 - Lost Hiker Falls Into Frigid Waters Of Pinecrest Lake Luckily Rescued

12 Feb 2021 - Missing hiker's dog found alive eight days later, renewing hope for desperate family

22 Feb 2021 - Injured hiker rescued, airlifted from Appalachian Trail in Rockbridge Co.

11 Feb 2021 - Dog found on Peak to Peak renews hope for family of hiker missing in Boulder County

28 Feb 2021 - Man rescued off Grouse Grind after first saying he was lost near Squamish

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Comments:
 Aug 22, 2016 - Diego

Thankyou I finally understand what that means

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Oct 26, 2017 - Avery Steak

Now I know what it is used for thanks for the site

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