navigation management for hikers

Introduction

getting lost in the Australian bush is a major risk - everything tends to look the same and usually there is no mobile internet to help you when you most need it such as when injured or bitten by a snake
it is important to have a map and compass as well as smartphone or global positioning system (GPS) / global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), and recovery options such as carrying a satellite communicator or a registered Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) and to inform others of destination and expected return time prior to departure

Using a compass and map

get a good compass and a topographic map for the area you will be hiking in
know how to use the compass and map
- learn how to set a compass bearing to a visualised target so you can keep walking in a straight line to the target even if you lose sight of it
  - see Youtube tutorial
- learn how to position a map to true north based on the magnetic north of your compass and determine a bearing from the map to get to a desired destination
  - see Youtube tutorial
- learn how to use two recognisable and visible landscape features to triangulate your position on the map
  - see Youtube tutorial
see also: https://bushwalkingmanual.org.au/the-trip/practical-navigation/

how high is a mountain using an inclinometer on your compass?

take a measurement of the angle to the peak of the mountain from where you are, let this angle be alpha
walk z metres towards the mountain and take a second measurement of the angle to the peak and let this angle be beta
height in metres = z x tan alpha x tan beta / (tan beta - tan alpha)

compasses

most compasses are optimised for the hemisphere in which you will be to make it easier to adjust for magnetic north
- most Silva compasses are balanced for a specific region and are designated MN (north hemisphere), ME (Equatorial) and MS (southern hemisphere)
some compasses are global and can be used anywhere in the world
compasses can lose magnetism or reverse polarity if stored close to a microwave device (EPIRB, smartphone) or magnetic material such as Apple iPhone MagSafe, etc
compasses become inaccurate if used near other compasses, magnets, batteries, metallic objects, etc
most compasses with glow in the dark markings are phosphorescent and require initial light then last for some 4 hours, some military grade compasses use radioactive material and do not need to be primed by light and will glow continuously for around 7 years
some compasses have an adjustment screw to manage magnetic declination map error, others you need to adjust manually
some compasses are marked in 360 degrees and some are marked in the more precise 6400 mils (milliradians) which is what is used in the military for artillery purposes
some compasses are “lensatic” which means they use a magnifying glass set at 45deg angle to the compass to more accurately line up a bearing line
Silva compasses
- the base plate compasses utilise the Silva 1-2-3 navigation system
lensatic military compasses
- the tritium versions of thee are generally the best compasses for night time use
- these are used VERY differently to base plate or mirror compasses
- Cammenga Lensatic Tritium USGI Compass
  - $AU244
compasses with mirror sightings
- the mirror allows more accurate bearings to be taken (mainly an advantage in open terrain over long distances) but are heavier and more bulky
- SUUNTO MC-2G
  - global needle; clinometer; luminescent; adjustable declination easily adjusted with the adjustment key which is attached to the lanyard; nice sized viewing notch in the mirror;
  - $AU99-129
- Silva Expedition S
  - the new model has a Slope card and a Scale lanyard, and the new graphics contain a more distinct arrow and a more contemporary font
  - map-measuring scales in mm or inches, 1:25,000, 1:50,000 and GPS scales
  - can also map-measure 1:40,000
  - clinometer
  - luminous markings but none on the North needle limiting its utility at night; 86g;
  - $AU119
- Silva Ranger S
  - $AU74
other high quality compasses
- Expedition 54B 6400-6400/360 Military Compass
  - Expedition 54 is a unique compass featuring both an optical precision sighting system and a SILVA 1-2-3 SYSTEM compass in the same unit which is great for artillery purposes but probably unnecessary for hikers.
  - B designation = Beta illumination Tritium compound 80 mCi which lasts for 7.5 years (hence discounted models may be at end of life!) and is not light activated, whereas the Expedition 54 has a light activated luminous compound which illuminates up to 4 hours
  - Precision sighting scale: 1 / 20
  - Measuring scales on base plate: 1:25k, 1:50k, 1:40k, mm, inch
  - UTM position plotting scales (Romer scales): 1:25k, 1:50k, 1:40k
  - Accuracy: +/- 0.5 degree (8.9 mils)
  - Settling time from 90 degree angle to complete rest: 6 sec
  - IP68
  - no clinometer or declination adjustment
  - $AU399
- Expedition 4:
  - Accuracy: ± 1° (17.8 mils)
  - 4hrs illumination
  - UTM position plotting scales (Romer scales): 1:25k, 1:40k, 1:50k
  - Settling time from 90° angle to complete rest: 5 sec
  - 36g
  - $AU99
- Expedition:
  - luminous markings
  - clinometer
  - can map-measure 1:40,000
  - Scales: 1:25k, 1:40k, 1:50k, GPS scales, Lanyard; 1:25, / 1:50, mm, inch
  - slope card, scale lanyard
  - 50g
  - $AU69

Using a smartphone to navigate

bring a compass and topographic map as backup as well as an EPIRB or satellite communicator (see remote communication for campers and hikers) especially if you are going out of internet range
ensure you download maps for the area BEFORE going there as internet access is probably NOT available
- an alternative so that your points of interest are available offline is to create points of interest on Google and export these to apps like maps.me:
  - log into Google then go to Google maps and at top left corner select Your Places then the Maps tab and hit CREATE MAP at bottom
  - add points of interest to the map by clicking on add marker from top toolbar - you can have up to 10 layers with 2000 points on each
  - you can view these on Google maps on your phone's Google maps app by tapping on the Saved icon at the bottom
  - to use with other apps such as map.me:
    - on your desktop PC, open up one of your saved maps in Google maps then click on the 3 vertical dots at the top, select Export to KML/KMZ and click Download
    - email this file to yourself so you can now access on your phone and send it to your phone app such as maps.me and then the map with your points of interest should be available even without internet access
turn off WiFi and BlueTooth to conserve battery power
ensure you take a USB power pack as your smartphone battery will not last long with GPS running

Gary Ayton's camping and photography wiki

Table of Contents

navigation management for hikers

Introduction

Using a compass and map

how high is a mountain using an inclinometer on your compass?

compasses

Using a smartphone to navigate