Calibrating Your Compass
Calibrating your compass to your map is easier than it appears at first glance. You just need to take your time and walk through the steps. Don't worry, it will get easier! Let's get started.
1. To calibrate your compass to the map, you first need to find true north versus magnetic north. The needle of your compass will point to magnetic north, or the Earth's North Pole. The difference between true north and magnetic north is called the magnetic declination. This factor varies, depending where in the world you're located and, to some extent, by time. To find the magnetic declination of your riding area, visit www.ngdc.noaa.gov/seg/geomag/jsp/Declination.jsp and use the website's handy calculator.
This compass is aligned with the compass rose on the map and is oriented to true north. Note that the ring on the compass has been adjusted for a magnetic declination of about 16-degrees east and that the red needle of the compass is pointing toward magnetic north.
2. Magnetic declination is in degrees. For example, magnetic declination in Central Oregon is about 16 degrees east. To apply this number to your compass, simply rotate the ring on the compass clockwise 16 degrees. Now, ignore the N on your compass and treat this new point as true north.
3. Once you have north situated on your compass, place the compass over the compass rose on your map, making sure to line up true north on the rose with true north on your compass. Holding the compass over the map, rotate your body until the north end of the compass needle lines up with the original north on the compass. Now you and your map are in alignment, and you know which way is north.
Check Your Location
Parked? Check. Horses out of the trailer and quietly standing tied? Check, check.
Now, before you mount up, take a moment to figure out your location. In navigation, as in life, knowing where you're starting from is the best way to figure out how to get where you're going.
Get yourself, the map and your compass situated. Start by making sure your compass is adjusted to true north by magnetic "declination." (For more on declination and using your compass and map together, see the sidebar "Putting Compass to Paper" on page 46.)
"Take 10 minutes in your truck to look at the map and orient yourself," Jeff recommends. If the metal of the truck and trailer is pulling your compass needle, step away from your rig to get an accurate reading."
Landmarks, Sun & Time Factors
As you orient yourself to your surroundings, take time to study any landmarks, bodies of water, or roads you might encounter on your ride. Recognizing these features on the trail will help confirm your location. If, for example, you're riding in an area of several buttes, learn each butte's location and distinguishing features.
Of course, you also know that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west-always, with no exceptions. However, the times the sun rises and sets do change with the seasons and daylight savings time. Always check the time you're headed out against when you expect the sun to set to ensure you make it back before dark.
The sun's position in the sky and the time of day can also give you a very general idea of direction. However, if you're riding in a heavy overcast, this won't be a reliable navigational option.
Now, this is where a GPS unit comes in handy. A GPS can calculate your horse's average speed, a number you can use to deduce the distance you will cover in the time you plan to ride.
"Horses average between 2 and 6 miles per hour," says Backcountry Horsemen of America Executive Secretary Peg Greiwe. "Usually they're on the faster side when you're headed home."
GPS units currently range in price from $100 to $900, depending on their functions and capabilities. If you happen to have one, use your GPS to help calculate have much ground you've covered during your ride.
Before you get on, stow your map and compass somewhere that you can get to it while you're riding, preferably on you-either in a pocket or pack-but not on your horse.
"You have to decide who needs the map and compass more if you part ways, you or your horse," Greiwe points out.
You're the Navigator
The trail is where you'll put all your preparation and navigation skills to the test. Yes, you want to have fun when you're riding, but you also need to stay vigilant about where you're going, how fast you're moving, and how you're getting back to where you started.
Campbell and Greiwe both recommend trusting your compass over signage to figure out where you are and which direction you should head-especially in cases where the signage doesn't match your compass. It's not uncommon for vandals to move or completely remove signage on public trails.
And pay attention to your route! Sometimes we're so busy relaxing on the trail or pulling up the rear of the line that we forget to pay attention to where we're going, especially if a companion is leading the way.
Greiwe's sage advice is to always pay attention to landmarks along the trail to help you find your way back. With experience, you'll start recognizing the area and building your own mental map of the space.
"Anyone who has read Louis L'Amour's books knows he says to look at the trail behind you, because it's going to look different when you turn around and go back," Greiwe says.
"It goes back to being prepared," adds Campbell. "What if the rider who knows where you're at gets hurt and you have to help him out? Or, what if you get separated? You need to know where you are."
Stick to the Trail
When in doubt, stick to the trail. This is good advice whether you're exploring a new area or trying to find your way back to your rig after getting slightly lost. Cutting cross-country can save time if you're in a hurry and 100% sure of the direction you need to head. However, heading cross-country without your bearings can leave you even more lost and confused.
Instead, stick to well-worn trails. "You should see hoof prints and droppings," Peg says. On these trails, you're also more likely to run into a fellow trail user.
If you're definitely lost and come across a road, travel along the road.
"If you're on foot and lost, the wisdom is to wait for someone to find you," Jeff says. "On a horse, you can cover more ground and find a place where searchers are more likely to find you, like on a road. Of course, covering more ground means you can also get lost quicker."
However, if you keep these tips in mind and learn to use your compass and your map, you'll know exactly how to get home.
