THIS is how to navigate using just a map

Watching videos or reading websites about land navigation you could be forgiven for thinking that Land Navigation is only about using a compass. Whilst being able to use a compass is very important in the real world most people will simply use a map to navigate and only use a compass if there is any doubt about their location of direction of travel.
In this video I’ll try and show how the majority of people navigate safely just using a map for the majority of time.

Links to the other videos mentioned
The Five D’s of navigation

Collecting and Catching features

How to take a compass bearing

[JPSUS]

Long live the waffle! Navigation videos are a dime a dozen, but practical advice delivered along with myriad reasons to spend more time outdoors is all too rare. It is the waffling that motivates us to put on our boots and head out. Please keep it up. Thank you.

[cw]

When I was in the US Navy I was stationed at Edzell Scotland. I found the ordnance survey maps to be absolutely fantastic. Great video.

[cthompson]

I'm a map nerd. I get as much enjoyment from reading the map as I do walking the route.

[DarkCoffee]

Since discovering your channel, you have rapidly become one of my favorites!

[annnnonnymous]

Being in the US and a fan of Vicar of Dibley I think I have earned an honorary basket of chips for getting your analogy. Ill be sure to treat myself. I enjoyed this video, its a really good way to easy the compass shy into not being map shy. Will definitely share this with my hiking partners so I dont have to be the primary or sole navigator all the time. Thanks!

[wtjpqxl]

So very true. I've been fell-running, day and night (head-torching), in all weathers, all year round, including many mountain marathons, for over 30 years. I've rarely needed to use my compass, except in 'pea-soupers' and dense fog/hill cloud, especially in flatter, feature-less terrain such as the Pennines, parts of the Howgills and Scotland, or eastern Lakes. Usually, you can spot at least one or two features, and if you've been paying attention since you've set-off, then you can usually work out where you are and where to head for next.

Occasionally, conditions even defeat a compass. 20 yrs ago, or so, walking from Garrigil up to Greg's hut (Crossfell) on a dark November night, along the corpse road, the hill fog was so dense and the sleet falling so wet, that even walking along the usually 'motor-way' obvious track proved a huge challenge. As we could barely see our feet, and the head torch's beam bounced off the wet gravel, we had to edge along, gingerly not even sure where the edges of the track were and where the stony fell began. No direct route using a compass was practical, as the track is very winding, and no-where to aim for, and consequently it was a complete 'shuffle-fest, ' to the extent we were worried we might walk straight pass the bothy in the night and hill cloud. Only a great familiarity with the track and a lot of luck got us there. Lesson: never, ever be complacent, even on a very well known route, in winter. Thank you for your vids. Extremely enjoyable.

[stpetie]

Always good information, advice and common sense. Add in a great waffle and and the video gets even better. Thanks again, Sir.

[daviddilley]

"navigationally challenged", sometimes; " geographically embarrassed", yeah, but never "lost" LOL

[k.chriscaldwell]

THE biggest reason people fail at orienteering is inattention to landmarks and terrain. If one is unwilling or unable to orientate using landmarks and terrain, a map and compass is near worthless.

[DrBenWiles]

When in an unknown city/town, i use a compass to orientate myself to be able to use the map as buildings can look the same and you can be disorientated easily when starting out (e.g. from a train station). You either get odd looks from people or knowing acknowledgement!

[Chiller]

Very interesting. I navigated the Colorado backcountry for several years when I was younger (1960’s-70’s) before I knew how to use a compass using only a topographical map. Not something I’d recommend but I paid attention to landmarks along my way and studied the map.

[MedicalHiker]

Great video. Dont ever stop the 'waffle', always learning stuff.

[PhilWaud]

I always enjoy your videos, thank you once again. You make a really good point here (of course). Ive been able to use a compass and read a map since being in the Boy Scouts as a young lad. The other week I woke up in a tent on Kinder Scout in ten foot visibility freezing fog. I took out my phone and loaded OSmaps, and looked at the route I had plotted, glanced up at where I was meant to go and set off. A couple of minutes later, I did the same thing. After an hour I had walked around in a huge circle. I did have a paper map and a compass and what I should have done is taken a bearing and followed that. Of course, I will do that in future, but this could have been a critical mistake that put me in bother.

[doughobbs]

as a caver its a great to see/hear you link the underworld with the topside.. we also use compasses underground at times by the way!

[jeremymanning]

Great video. I've been hiking and camping for over 50 years. I agree with everything you say in this video.
I normally only look at my map & compass once a day. This is to figure out my exact location and a heading for my days travel. I tend to let my eyes lead me rather than stick to any set trail.
Keep the great videos coming. 👍👍

[xionix]

Exquisite. I so loved your explanation of the chemistry, meteorology, geology, history, philosophy, and last but not least, geography of these phenomena. :P Always quality content.
P.S. If I ever take over the world, you're my top navigator. We'll party. lol

[davidsweeney]

Boss lad, V interesting, informative and great enthusiasm

[philippabaker]

I love this channel. The Waffle is very good information. I learned a lot from the chemistry talk. Keep it going.

[bentube]

I always like your stories, to go along with the training and the hiking. Thank you!

[rowanbrebner]

Mate I'm from New Zealand and we pretty much have followed the mother land Governmental wise, but when you said if you are from the UK, just think Vickar of Dibley, that put a smile on my face big time. As that show has played over here in NZ years ago. So you got me. Best dad advice ever.