Orienteering by hand?

[kilby]

I want to better learn, and teach my kids, orienteering. Like with an actual compass and stuff. Anybody else into it? Should I just start with a YouTube video and go outside? What about the actual compass? Anything to consider there?

 

[kilby]

Google is my friend:

6 Best Orienteering Compass For 2024 - (Reviews & Buying Guide)

If you get lost on a trail, and you don’t have cell service or your GPS device dies, a best orienteering compass might be the things that ensure you make it home safe.

flipoutdoor.com

 

[grubworm]

check out this link...its army training manual used in infantry school
ive used similar techniques navigating underwater with few landmarks and it works...you will def need the right map to use

http://rvrotc.org/Orienteering%20HandbookRVRHS.PDF

 

[trail_runn4r]

I want to better learn, and teach my kids, orienteering. Like with an actual compass and stuff. Anybody else into it? Should I just start with a YouTube video and go outside? What about the actual compass? Anything to consider there?

I'm sure a quick google search will provide videos, articles, books etc on it. Interesting topic, I don't know much about it other then using a compass and look at the sun :D

 

[DevilDodge]

My son is 7. We have done a few orienteering courses.

Last year I took him to a class provided by our state park.

It was entry level and showed how easy it is to get started.

I bought my son a compass at Wal-Mart and printed the maps for him.

We already had to change his stride for measurements as he is growing fast.

The easiest thing to do is go buy orange cones, or one of the baseball plate set at dollar tree.

Set up a small course. Say over a 25 yard area. Make it bring you right back to were you started.

Start in a flat spot that you can actually see them

Then go bigger to include the topography so you can not see them.

Orienteering at the challenging level ia actually a race.

Orienteering USA - Find your way!

Orienteering is the sport of navigation—often held in unfamiliar terrain—using a map and compass. Practice your navigation skills with one of our events!

orienteeringusa.org

Orienteering | Department of Conservation and Natural Resources| Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

<p>Called “the art of map and compass reading,” this recreational activity dates back more than 100 years by using “low-tech” tools to navigate the landscape.</p> <p> </p> <p>Often set as a timed challenge, orienteering is a fun way to exercise and build wilderness survival skills.</p>

www.dcnr.pa.gov

 

[DevilDodge]

Wish you were not so far away @kilby my son and I would love to help setup a course and show you how to enjoy it.

It is a good time. Look into geocaching also.

 

[Sparksalot]

Orienteering is a valuable skill to have, and is a fun thing on its own. A basic $20 Suunto compass will work fine to get started. I still have mine after 25 years.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Always a good skill. I am no expert but my father first started showing me. Then I used the army infantry manual. Then sort of on my own of youtube.

Maybe I should hit an REI or state park course. You always pick something up.

As for the compass? I bought a Silva Ranger Type 15 CL back in the 1980's. Friggin GREAT compass but they dont make them anymore. Closest thing to that today is the Silva Ranger CL, but I heard the manufacturer and quality is less. Maybe the Brunton Tru Arc15, or Suunto MC-2G or M-3D.

A good way to find north if you are going to stay at one site for a couple hours is use a couple sticks and draw a line between the tips of the shadows from hour zero to hour 2. And a line 90 degrees from that is north-south

 

[MuckSavage]

If you have an REI store local to you, check their bulletin board or website. They have classes on orienteering

 

[kilby]

Orienteering is a valuable skill to have, and is a fun thing on its own. A basic $20 Suunto compass will work fine to get started. I still have mine after 25 years.

Rad! I just ordered a Suunto, but kind of like bikes and watches I can envision an N+1 scenario with these tools.

 

[kilby]

Always a good skill. I am no expert but my father first started showing me. Then I used the army infantry manual. Then sort of on my own of youtube.

Maybe I should hit an REI or state park course. You always pick something up.

As for the compass? I bought a Silva Ranger Type 15 CL back in the 1980's. Friggin GREAT compass but they dont make them anymore. Closest thing to that today is the Silva Ranger CL, but I heard the manufacturer and quality is less. Maybe the Brunton Tru Arc15, or Suunto MC-2G or M-3D.

A good way to find north if you are going to stay at one site for a couple hours is use a couple sticks and draw a line between the tips of the shadows from hour zero to hour 2. And a line 90 degrees from that is north-south

Yeah the stick shadows would be a cool visualization for realtime. We do a lot of stargazing at night, and I've shown the kids how to use the big dipper to find the north star.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Yeah the stick shadows would be a cool visualization for realtime. We do a lot of stargazing at night, and I've shown the kids how to use the big dipper to find the north star.

Funny how everyone expects the North Star to be this bright shining light, when in reality, Polaris has a magnitude hovering around 2.

 

[kilby]

Funny how everyone expects the North Star to be this bright shining light, when in reality, Polaris has a magnitude hovering around 2.

Yeah some darker nights, you REALLY have to look for it. When it has a lot of competition. Maybe we need a thread on telescopes!

 

[Sparksalot]

Yeah some darker nights, you REALLY have to look for it. When it has a lot of competition. Maybe we need a thread on telescopes!

There is a thread about stargazing. I think telescopes are in there too.

 

[DevilDodge]

The hardest part is making the correct adjustment for magnetic north from true north.

If you are setting up a course to learn. Set up one that goes follows magnetic north 25 paces then east 25 paces then south 25 paces. Then west 25 paces.

Then begin to go to degrees and more paces. All in a flat view area.

Then go to topography so you can hide the marker from view.

Maps and compasses are so much fun.

You can draw them very easy. And they can be found even easier. With a computer you can print it right off for your location.

The links I provided will take you to courses. Most states have some permanent ones. Our state parks (pre covid) would set up temporary ones twice a year.

I have been wanting to get into orienteering the sport more...just not enough time

 

[DevilDodge]

Another source to watch is the REBELLE RALLY

they have been showing some technique training lately also.

It is vehicle based...but it is the same principals.

It is obviously for women, but their blogs and Facebook page give links to training.

Home - Rebelle Rally

2025 REBELLE RALLY OCTOBER 8 – 18, 2025 Days Hours Minutes Seconds REGISTER NOW The Rebelle Rally is the first women’s off-road navigation rally raid in the United States. 10th Edition – October 8-18, 2025 Blending the love of driving with the ultimate challenge of precise navigation, the...

www.rebellerally.com

 

[M Rose]

This subject matter is whole school year of information... I taught Land Navigation in the Army. (Referenced in the manuals above.). I held (if not hold) the fastest Land Nav time (and score) at the Fort Bliss WLC Land Nav Course. 39/40 points in under an hour... I ran through the corse and the compass stayed in my pocket most of the time.
To get good at it you have to practice. You need a good lensetatic compass... and a detailed topographic map of the area you want to practice in.

 

[NotGumby]

As well as the Army’s Land Nav manual, I would recommend picking up a copy of Harold Gatty‘s Finding your Way Without Map or Compass.

 

[Ubiety]

I want to better learn, and teach my kids, orienteering. Like with an actual compass and stuff. Anybody else into it? Should I just start with a YouTube video and go outside? What about the actual compass? Anything to consider there?

Excellent thread! Thank you! Have been wanting to get back to the manual processes for a while now.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

The hardest part is making the correct adjustment for magnetic north from true north.

On this all else depends. This declination adjustment changes a degree every 5 years or so. So, what I had my compass set to in 1985 is not going to be accurate today. I think in the Northeast we are already at about 20 degrees of declination, with true north being more west.

If this is not set, then no matter how accurate your work and math, you will be way off. If you walked 10 miles in a straight line, but were off course by only 1 degree, you would be something like a thousand feet off the mark. Clearly you should take new bearings more often than 10 miles, but it's just an example. An error of 5 degrees puts you off by almost 5,000 feet - that amounts to nearly a mile!
So make sure your declination is properly set