How To Use a Map & Compass, by L.L.Bean on YouTube. 9 min 16 s.
- Video length
- 9 min 16 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Lay the map flat and orient it roughly with the land around you. Match large features like lakes, ridges and trails to what you see.
Familiarize yourself with the compass parts. Find the baseplate, the direction of travel arrow, the rotating bezel, the magnetic needle and the orienting lines.
Check the declination for your area, printed in the map legend. It is the angle between true north and magnetic north, and you must account for it.
Place the compass on the map with the edge of the baseplate connecting your position to your target. Point the direction of travel arrow toward the target.
Turn the bezel until the orienting lines line up with the north-south grid lines on the map. Read the bearing number at the direction of travel arrow.
Adjust the bearing for declination by adding or subtracting the local value. Write the corrected number down so you do not forget it.
Hold the compass level in front of you and turn your body until the magnetic needle sits inside the orienting arrow. The direction of travel arrow now points to your bearing.
Pick a landmark along that line and walk to it. Recheck the compass at the landmark and repeat until you reach your destination.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep metal objects, phones and magnets away from the compass, as they can pull the needle off course.
Hold the compass flat and steady, and let the needle settle before you read it.
Practice on a short, familiar trail before relying on the compass in remote terrain.
Carry a paper map as backup and tell someone your route and expected return time.
Questions
What is declination and why does it matter?
Declination is the difference between true north on the map and magnetic north shown by the needle. If you ignore it, your bearing can be off by many degrees and you will drift off course.
Do I need a special compass?
A baseplate compass with a rotating bezel and orienting lines is enough. Avoid simple keychain compasses that lack a bezel for setting bearings.
How do I find my position on the map?
Use landmarks you can see, such as a lake or trail junction, and match them to the map. Taking two bearings from known points lets you pinpoint where you are.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
