How to use a map and compass

The intra-city Sydney ferry became visible in the distance as it skimmed the glassy surface of the sun-soaked river and formed a mess of foaming water in its wake. I cast a furtive glance at my fellow travellers (the majority of whom were approximately octogenarian and out to enjoy a day in the sun), before boarding the uncrowded vessel and parking myself in the plush comfort of a vacant seat.

Sometimes it’s not the destination but the journey, but - today, at least - it was; my short and uneventful trip terminated at Cockatoo Island and I disembarked alone while my new-found friends continued their journey into the distance. I bade them farewell in silence, steadied my sea legs, and set my mind to the task ahead - learning how to use a map and compass!

The island - located a hop, skip, and a jump from the sights of the Harbour city - is a landing pad for curious tourists, campers, wealthy yacht owners, and - strangely enough - classical music concert-goers. A place littered with industrial relics and the remains of its inglorious past as a penal establishment, it is today a well-maintained example of the city’s recent history and also a popular escape from the classroom for school students.

I passed through the old red-brick building that still stands outside the island’s ferry terminal and, my spirits lifted by the sunny day, set about finding my bearings.

How to navigate using a compass and map

The aim is to find your way from point A to point B by setting a bearing using the compass and map, and then following the bearing in the direction of your destination.

Parts of a compass:

Compass bezel/dial

The circle with degree markings that can be rotated

Baseplate

The flat, plastic surface upon which the compass sits

Direction-of-Travel Arrow

The arrow pointing to the ruler markings (e.g. mm)

Magnetized Needle

The need that sits within the compass dial painted red at one end 'N'

Orienting Lines

Parallel lines within the compass dial

Starting your journey:

• Arrive at the first map coordinate (whichever one you choose to begin with);

• Place the compass flat on the map and align the base plate edge so that it traces a straight line between point A and B (for example, location 1 and 2 on an orienteering map) - imagine you are drawing a straight line on the map between the two points. The direction of travel should point in the direction you plan to travel;

• Rotate the dial so that the orientating lines align with the vertical map lines - the north point of the dial should now be pointing north, in the same direction of north on the map;

• The number of degrees showing on the dial in the direction of travel (between 0 and 360 degrees) is your bearing (e.g. 220 degrees is pointing in the direction of travel);

• Put the map down and hold the compass in front of you with the direction of travel pointing forwards. Rotate your body on the spot until the compass needle is pointing the same way as the north point of the dial. The needle must align with the north point on the dial (at 0 degrees, or 'N' on the dial);

• Once the needle is lined up with the north point of the bezel, look up and walk in the direction you are facing. You can refer back to the compass as you walk to make sure the needle is still aligned with the ‘N’ on the bezel which will indicate you’re going the right way;

• Follow the direction of travel until you arrive at your destination.
  

How’d I go?

With the technical aspects of navigation mastered, I proceeded to travel between vaguely-worded map destinations (such as ‘E corner of Wall’, ‘W gate’) and admire the long-abandoned landmarks - all that remain of the industrious activity that once filled the island.

Despite a few sideways glances from staff and security who were curious about my quest, I successfully completed the course, and enjoyed practicing the skill of navigation in the outdoors with just my map and compass to guide me. While my day-trip was not exactly the stuff of an Arctic expedition, the feeling of self-reliance was invigorating and I highly recommend it.

Orienteering maps are widely available online, so ditch the smartphone for an arvo and give the map and

compass a go!