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.

20 Jul 2021 - Lost hiker relies on ingenuity, 40

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10 Jul 2021 - Hiker lost in Beartooth Mountains likely dead, say family and rescuers

18 Jul 2021 - Navy helicopter crashes while searching for a hiker lost in California mountains

20 Jul 2021 - Navy helicopter searching for lost California hiker crashes, all rescued

01 Jul 2021 - VB first responders locate lost hiker in First Landing State Park

15 Jul 2021 - Lost Hiker In Santa Clarita Rescued By Helicopter

15 Jul 2021 - Lost hiker rescued by Davis County SAR

30 Jun 2021 - EXCLUSIVE

19 Jul 2021 - Hiker hospitalized for severe dehydration after being lost on trail for 2 days

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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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