Navigation Skills for Walkers, Hikers and Ramblers

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- Aspect of Slope

Taking a bearing on the fall-line of a slope is a useful method of identifying which side of a hill you are on.

1. Stand facing downhill – the way a ball would roll if set away down the hill.

2. Point your compass in the direction of the fall-line – i.e. with direction of travel indicator pointing downhill.

3. Rotate the compass housing so that the arrow lines up with the pointer of the compass needle.

4. For accuracy deduct the magnetic variation (currently approx 3 degrees) by rotating the compass housing. (eg 90 degrees becomes 87 degrees).

By studying the map and knowing roughly where you are, a slope with the same approximate direction can usually be quickly identified.

For additional accuracy, place the compass on the map so that the lines on the compass housing are parallel with the blue gridlines on the map.

Orientate or Set the Map by rotating it until the red end of the needle and the red pointer on the compass coincide.

The compass should now be pointing down your slope and the long edge of the compass will indicate which slope you are on. It won't, however tell you whereabouts on the slope you are - for that you will need to take a couple of Back Bearings.

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