A compass is an amazing tool to have — and there is much that can be gleaned with a compass alone — but its value is amplified when used in conjunction with an accurate and detailed map. Insert any cliché you’d like (“goes together like…
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The colors and lines on a good wilderness topographic map can be overwhelming if you don’t have a lot of experience with map reading. There is so much information to process on these kinds of maps, and being in the backcountry, when you’re tired or…
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Probably one of the most difficult things for a compass user to understand and apply in a real-world situation is magnetic declination — because even if s/he understands the overarching concept, it’s critical to know how to actually deploy the technique to your wilderness navigation.…
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Very few people go anywhere these days without a smartphone. It’s gone so far as to replace the basics of a wristwatch for some people, who pull it out of their pockets whenever they need to check the time. And smartphones do so much more…
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Any wilderness tool is only valuable if the user knows how to maintain it and wield it properly and effectively. For example, a knife is no good if the blade is dull, nor is a tent going to do much good if you don’t know…
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We all possess some sense of direction, but amid the valleys and trees and, sometimes, in rain or snowstorms, it’s easy to get turned around. You need something more substantial to help you stay on course. Rarely is anything more practical — and more basic…
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There are a number of dependable navigational tools around us that can be fun to learn about and watch — and they may also help if your device is not getting accurate (or any) reception. These tools are in the sun, moon, stars, and even…
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Finding and interpreting the tracks and sign left by the passage of people or animals is enjoyable, regardless of where you go, and even if you do not go anywhere. A proper knowledge of the tracks around you can help keep you safe in the…
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Depending how far you are into the backcountry, a serious injury can be one of the most frightening experiences you can have. An injury puts you at a disadvantage both physically and mentally — it leaves you vulnerable in an area where vulnerability can have…
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It’s inevitable — if you spend as much time in the wilderness as most of us do, you’re going to get off trail or turned around somehow. Dare we use the “l” word: lost. Yes, it’ll happen at some point. Maybe you were admiring the…
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