Orienteering without GPS

Each participant in the hike should have the skills of correct orientation and gradually gain experience in this area. In this article you will find some tips that will help you develop your skills in orienteering without GPS. A compass, a watch, and even the nature will be your guide and help you find the right path.

Sun and watches instead of compass

Through the “interaction” of the sun and watches, you can precisely determine the sides of the horizon. It is necessary to keep the watch in the horizontal position and spin it until the hour hand is directed towards the sun. After this you need to draw an imaginary line between the hour hand and the number “1”. Looking at the line that crosses this angle, we will find the south side.

Natural night lights and their role in the orienteering

Orienteering without GPS can be more difficult during the evening hours. In such cases, the natural night lights can help us. In late hours when it’s dark, you can determine the sides of the horizon with the help of the Pole star or the Moon. If you find the Ursa Major constellation with seven bright stars, you need to draw a line that connects two extreme stars, which complete the Big Dipper, and extend the line in the direction of wide crevice of the Dipper. Continue extending this line and count the distance between two stars five times. Having done this, you will see that at this point the imaginary line will meet the brightest star in this segment. In addition, this star is the last star of the “handle” of the Little Dipper. With its help, you can determine the sides of the horizon. If you stand facing north, the right side of the Pole star will be west, the left side – east, and south will be behind you.

Objects in the area

Objects found in nature can also make our task of orienteering without GPS easier. However, this method is less applicable, since it is less reliable, but these recommendations can also be useful:

1. The branches on the south side of a freestanding tree are lusher than on the north side
2. You can identify the sides of the horizon by the stump of a tree: growth rings are displaced to the north
3. Moss and lichen grow on the north side of tree barks and stones to avoid the rays of the sun
4. In spring, the layer of snow melts quickly and creates layered parts on the south side and hillsides
5. Fruits and berries get brighter colors from the south side
6. The flatter side of the ant hill faces south
7. You can be easily guided by churches if you know that the altar is built in the eastern part of the church, and the entrance is in the western part. The sundial is usually located on the southern wall of the church. If there is a cross at the top of the church, then its wings are directed from east to west

Compass navigation

Compass helps to accurately determine the sides of the horizon from any position. There are different types of compasses: school, marine, geological, military. In most cases, all types of compasses consist of a case, a dial, a magnetic needle, and a clamp.

To determine the cardinal points, you need to hold the compass in the palm of your hand, in a horizontal position, or on any flat surface. Then you need to open the clamp and wait until the movement of the needle stops. After that, you need to turn the case until the north end of the needle matches the 360 degree north pointer. Once you find the north side, it will be easier to find the rest.

The uninterrupted operation of the compass is due to the following factors:

1. In the evening, to better see the magnetic needle, you need to hold it under a bright light for 10-15 minutes.
2. During a thunderstorm, on mountains with high level of magnetism, compass may work with some inaccuracies, which can be experienced while climbing Mount Aragats.
3. During operation, the compass should be kept away from metal objects and columns with high electrical voltage.
4. After completing work with the compass, you need to press on the clamp.

Azimuth

Travelers must have a correct knowledge of which direction they will be heading. The angle between the projected vector and a reference vector on the reference plane is called the azimuth. Azimuth is measured in degrees, from 0 to 360. The 90 degree angle indicates east, 180 degrees – south, 270 degrees – west, and 0 or 360 degrees – north. To determine the azimuth of an object, you need to face the reference point and hold the compass so that the north end of the magnetic needle matches the north pointer on the dial. Then without losing the reference point, at eye level, you need to turn a special attachment with the front and rear sights, so that when you look through the rear sight at the front sight you can see the object you need. The compass needle should continue to point north. Next to the needle you will see the angle on the dial. This is the azimuth.

While moving, you need to hold the compass in your hands and check the accuracy of the direction every 50-100 steps so that the reference point does not disappear from the view. In case of poor visibility, in inaccessible parts of dense forests, one of the participants of the hike must guide the rest of the group, so that by taking them for “reference points”, it would be easier to simultaneously control the direction of movement.

Map navigation

Finally, the travelers should know how to use and navigate a map. They must have some knowledge and be familiar with conventional signs, determine the scale and types of reliefs. This knowledge will make the orienteering without GPS much easier.

Map can be navigated:

By the sides of the horizon or natural night lights

By the objects in the area

By the characteristic relief lines

By compass

The map can also be navigated by location. To do this, you need to put the horizontal sides of the map in a position that will coincide with the corresponding directions of the terrain. Then you need to find the location of the hike participants on the map, using the objects indicated on it. After determining the participant’s location, it is easier to use a topographic map, find any reference point, and move in the appropriate direction.

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