First Navigation Map and Compass

Introduction

This weeks exercise was the fulfillment and use of the navigation maps that were made in exercise 5. The class went to the Priory and were tasked to use a map and compass to find points around the Priory. Once the point was located the group used a punch card to mark that they had been there.

This navigation exercise helps one understand that technology will not always be readily available. To be able to use a map and a compass is a reliable skill.

Study Area/Course

The Priory is a large plot of land, roughly 112 acres, that was purchased by UW-Eau Claire in October 2011. The facility is used to house students, hold a daycare, and be used for educational purposes. The land is mostly wooded and this is where our group navigated. Each group had a separate area to navigate.

Methods

Figure 1: Morgan pointing towards an area that could be the direction of a point

The class was divided into 6 groups of 3 members. Each group had to use 2 maps chosen by the group. These maps were created for exercise 5. Group 3 had area 3 which were points 11-15. The starting point for the group was a gazebo on the back side of the Priory facility. The group received multiple maps and had to plot the points using reference grids that were on the map. Two sets of coordinates were given for each point. The coordinates were in both UTM and decimal degrees. Once the points were plotted the group used the compass and a map to go towards the direction of the point. The method of finding a point includes plotting line of direction and then using the compass to find north on the map. Once north is found turn the compass to find the degree of the point. This is called the azimuth, the direction of the point and travel. If a point is at the 280 degree mark place the arrow so that it is red in the shed. Keep the arrow in the degree area to find the point. To find the distance one uses a scale bar from a map.

Figure 2: One of the maps used for navigation

Figure 3: Lee quite pleased with finding one of the markers

Discussion

This method of finding direction was difficult at first to say the least. At first the group could not find the flag and accidentally stumbled upon flag 14. This flag was one of the points that needed to be found. The group decided that working backwards was the best option since the group was so close to the final flag at 15. The hardest part of the exercise was simple miscalculations. These simple problems caused the group to be far enough away from the flags not to find them

Conclusion

Using a map and compass seems archaic, but this exercise showed that it is a useful tool. Using these methods can be very beneficial.