How to use a map and a
compass to locate yourself

As a wilderness backpacker you need to know how to use a map and a compass to find your actually position. Cross-bearing is the technique you can use to locate your position by plotting intersecting lines from two distant points on the ground that you can also identify on your map.


These are the steps you need to do:

1. Identify at least two features in the terrain which you could also locate on the map. For example, a high area.

2. Take a field bearing to one of the features.

3. Put the compass on the map with the long edge of the base plate intersecting the sighted feature. Turn the entire compass, keeping the sighted feature of a position half way along the edge of the base plate, until the compass orienting lines at the bottom of the housing are parallel with the meridian lines on the map. Ensure the orienting arrow points North on the map.

4. Draw a line, without moving the compass, along the edge of the base plate intersecting the sighted feature on the map. Your position is somewhere along this line.

5. To establish your position along this line, repeat the same procedure 2-4, using another feature.

6.You will find your exact position where the two lines cross. For greatest accuracy, select features which are approximately 90 degrees apart from your position.

Return from "How to use a map and a compass..."
to "Learn how to use a compass"

Back to: Wilderness backpacking homepage