Identifying a feature

If somthing is obstructing your chosen route you will have to go around it without losing your bearing. If you can see across it there is no problem. Just take a bearing on some landmark on the other side and walk around until you reach it and continue on your journey. If you can’t see over the obstacle, then you will have no option but to go around it in a series of right angled legs to be certain you come back on line on the far side.

Back bearings Back bearings are useful if your destination goes out of view or becomes obscured by mist or cloud, but your point of departure is still visible.

To check you are still on your bearing simply point the compass at your point of departure and the southern end of the compass needle should cover the red orienting arrow in the compass dial if you are still on course.

If not, correct yourself by walking a little to the right or left until the needle lines up and then continue along your original bearing Identifying a feature - Magnetic to Grid The map does not need to be set - but by setting the map you may be able to identity the feature straight away.

Using your compass Stage 1 Calculate from the countryside the magnetic bearing between your position and the feature to be identified. To do this:a) Point the compass directly at the feature you wish to identify.

b) Turn the compass dial around until the red orienting arrow lies directly under the red end of the magnetic needle. (Put the red to bed) c) The magnetic bearing is given at the index marker where the direction of travel arrow meets the compass dial. d) Convert this magnetic bearing to a grid bearing by subtracting the Magnetic Variation. MAG TO GRID, GET RID