MEPX
Chapter 5 of 10All chapters
  1. 1Reading a map
  2. 2Contours and terrain
  3. 3Grid references
  4. 4The compass
  5. 5Orienting and relocating
  6. 6Projections
  7. 7How satellite positioning works
  8. 8Where positioning fails
  9. 9Digital maps and routing
  10. 10Navigating in practice

Chapter 5 of 10

Orienting and relocating

Matching map to ground.

Setting the map

Turn the map until its north matches north on the ground. Everything then lies in the direction it appears, which removes most navigation mistakes.

  • Thumb the map at your position and move your thumb as you go.
  • Tick off features as you pass them so you always know the last certain point.

When lost

Stop. Work out the last place you were certain of, and how far you could have travelled since. Use visible features to take back bearings and cross them on the map.