Learning map reading / navigation
Discussion
Having done a bit of walking over the last couple of years I am keen to learn the dark art of map reading myself rather than relying on friends. Where would be the best place to start? I am about to sign up to a short course at the local college, four hours in the classroom then two walks on Dartmoor for £46.00, does this sound like a good starting point?
I have also seen a coule of books on the subject, not sure they'd be as good as an instructor though, maybe good as well as?
The course requires a 1/25000 map of Dartmoor & a compass, they have recommended a Silva Type 3.
I have also seen a coule of books on the subject, not sure they'd be as good as an instructor though, maybe good as well as?
The course requires a 1/25000 map of Dartmoor & a compass, they have recommended a Silva Type 3.
Rather late to this but:-
I brought the OS Map OL28 for Dartmoor online at there website at the weekend and it came with a very detailed booklet. Map Reading (From the beginner to the advanced map reader) and deals with stuff like translating map symbols to navigating in bad conditions.
PDF here:
http://www.ordnancesurveyleisure.co.uk/docs/map-re...
I brought the OS Map OL28 for Dartmoor online at there website at the weekend and it came with a very detailed booklet. Map Reading (From the beginner to the advanced map reader) and deals with stuff like translating map symbols to navigating in bad conditions.
PDF here:
http://www.ordnancesurveyleisure.co.uk/docs/map-re...
TheHeretic said:
LordHaveMurci said:
Many thanks for that.
I signed up to a course at Exeter College but it was cancelled due to people getting lost!
EFAI signed up to a course at Exeter College but it was cancelled due to people getting lost!
"Mountaincraft and Leadership" by Eric Langmuir has pretty much been the bible for the outdoors for the last twenty years. Loads cheap form the marketplace too....
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mountaincraft-Leadership-E...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mountaincraft-Leadership-E...
Years ago (nearly 20 years!) I used to teach navigation to kids at an outdoor pursuits centre in the Lake District. We found that "learning on the job" got better results than classroom work although we'd do the principles of compass usage in the grounds around the centre first.
I guess you've got a few options:
1. A college course if you can find one with enough people.
2. Finding a willing, knowledgable friend to help teach you.
3. Book learning then applying the knowledge yourself.
I'd go for 2 and/or 3 over 1. The Mountaincraft and Leadership book linked above is good and the basic principles of compass work are relatively easy to pick up, then just need practice.
Once you have a bit of experience a map becomes far more than a flat piece of paper - it allows you to picture the landscape you expect to see and be confident in your route choices based on matching the folds of the land to the contours and features marked on the map. 1:25000 scale is better for learning than 1:50000 as it has details like field walls which really help.
I guess you've got a few options:
1. A college course if you can find one with enough people.
2. Finding a willing, knowledgable friend to help teach you.
3. Book learning then applying the knowledge yourself.
I'd go for 2 and/or 3 over 1. The Mountaincraft and Leadership book linked above is good and the basic principles of compass work are relatively easy to pick up, then just need practice.
Once you have a bit of experience a map becomes far more than a flat piece of paper - it allows you to picture the landscape you expect to see and be confident in your route choices based on matching the folds of the land to the contours and features marked on the map. 1:25000 scale is better for learning than 1:50000 as it has details like field walls which really help.
I see you're in Devon, could you e-mail ring/contact a cadet instructor/TA Permanent Staff member/Oakehampton Battle Camp and ask about jumping in on some practical lessons or get advice from them.
I'm in Brecon Beacons until Feb 13 if you're down this way get in touch, I'm in the hills quite a bit.
I'm in Brecon Beacons until Feb 13 if you're down this way get in touch, I'm in the hills quite a bit.
996 sps said:
I see you're in Devon, could you e-mail ring/contact a cadet instructor/TA Permanent Staff member/Oakehampton Battle Camp and ask about jumping in on some practical lessons or get advice from them.
I'm in Brecon Beacons until Feb 13 if you're down this way get in touch, I'm in the hills quite a bit.
Did some walking in the Brecons a few months ago I'm in Brecon Beacons until Feb 13 if you're down this way get in touch, I'm in the hills quite a bit.
Thanks for the help, a mate has now offered some help so I'll see that goes.
LordHaveMurci said:
TheHeretic said:
LordHaveMurci said:
Many thanks for that.
I signed up to a course at Exeter College but it was cancelled due to people getting lost!
EFAI signed up to a course at Exeter College but it was cancelled due to people getting lost!
Kermit power said:
I'd have been bloody annoyed if they actually let me turn up on the night (as I assume they did, if you knew someone else had a map of Bath with them) before telling me it was cancelled due to numbers. Surely they must've known that in advance?
On the night the instructor was expecting four people, only three turned up. He carried on but did say that he expected the course to be cancelled as they usually have 10-12 on the course.On the upside, we had an hour or so instruction of the basics for nothing
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