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Route Planning and Navigation - Coggle Diagram
Route Planning and Navigation
Pre-Planning
Check and save multiple long term forecasts before leaving
Choose a route that is easy to navigate/not get lost on, rather than the shortest or easiest one
Make time estimates
Plan where you want to end up, and safe places to stop if you cannot make it there
Consider seasonal changes that may slow your trip i.e. snow
Be less ambitious if taking a new group
Resources
Maps/Charts
Coordinate systems
Lat/Longitude
Lines based off the distance from the prime meridian and the quator
Measured in hours/minutes/seconds
UTM: Universal Transverse Mercator
Grid system in metric laid out over the earth
Divided into 60 zones separated by 6 degrees of longitude
UPS: Universal Polar Stereograph
Like UTM, uses a metric grid
unlike UTM, UPS covers the polar regions
Conversion site
LINK
Charts
Provide information about depths, shorelines, tide predictions, obstructions in the water, and navigational aids like buoys.
Charts are very similar to maps, however, the major difference is that they are used to navigate on the water rather than on land. Nautical charts also have a certain level of legal standing and authority
Only show land detail that you can see from the water
Maps
Topo lines
One of the most important features of maps. Used to judge changes in elevation throughout terrain and thereby be able to clearly identify terrain features
Each line is set at a specific elevation and does not vary
Lines are placed at a set interval of elevation. i.e. every 50 feet
Can be used to just slope angle. The closer lines are together, the steeper the terrain; the further apart they are, the flatter the terrain
Having a paper map is always necessary, and on longer more remote trips having two maps split between your party can be vital
Trails and other markings
On most maps, local trail systems, roads, and even herd paths are displayed
Marked paths are not always there, or maybe just not clear enough. On the flip side, sometimes trails exist that are not marked on the map.
Be sure that your map is updated. If you can't update it for whatever reason or no new map is available, be aware that it may not be reliable, take everything with a grain of salt.
Natural features generally do not change, but sometimes the survey of them was incorrect and can lead to inaccuracies
In some maps, other features are marked, such as designated camp sites, lean-tos, privies, bridges,
Smaller topo intervals give more detail but can become hard to read. Larger intervals allow for a much larger map but can hide some deceptive terrain features. This is also true for the size and scale of a map.
Coordinate grids can make for very easy and fast distance estimation, but will lack in accuracy
All maps are oriented to true north, they should have a note on them as for what the magnetic declination is for the area
Orienting the map so that it points in your direction of travel can make a huge difference in understanding your position
Compass
Features
Glow in the dark strip to navigate at night
Rotating bezel
Index line marks bearing
Direction of arrow shows which direction you need to go when the needle is in the housing
Has a red and black arrow for North and south respectively
Floats on liquids so it can rotate freely
Surrounded by a dial with 0-360
Magnetic Needle
Comes with rope (idiot leash) so you don't lose it, and can be useful for measuring longer distances
Transparent baseplate
Contains direction of travel lines
Orienting Lines
Useful for comparing map and compass
Rulers, used to measure distance on the map
Nearby devices can interfere with needle accuracy
Check it often and keep in mind the general direction you are travelling
Be aware of the difference between true and magnetic north
True north- universally accepted northern point, the North Pole
Magnetic north- The northernmost point of earth's magnetic field. Does not remain stationary
Magnetic declination
The difference between true and magnetic North
Add to your bearing for going from map to land, subtract for going from land to map
GPS
Incredibly accurate satellite locating system
Requires an expensive device to be useful
Can mark locations to return to
May need to find an opening so it has a straight shot at the sky
Cell Phone
Many mapping services are available online and many of them can be downloaded in advance for when you are going into an area with no cell reception
Gaia
Fat Map
Google Maps
All Trails
Mountain Project
Don't make this your only method of navigation, mainly because you rely on batteries and once it dies you will have no navigation
Most cell phones have a compass built in. It will likely not be very reliable, but it is better than nothing if you find yourself without an analog compass
Sometimes the way to navigate with a phone is to call someone who knows the area and ask for some quick tips. Be very careful because if you get this wrong you can end up much worse off than before
Local knowledge
Ask around on online forums for people who are familiar with the area
Ask around in outdoor stores and guide operations in the area
Get to know what the terrain is like currently, from people who are out there often
Take everything with a grain of salt
Remember that just because someone sounds like they know what they're doing, doesn't mean that they do know what they're doing
Independently verify your beta
Much more important with higher consequence activities
Ask multiple people about your plan
If multiple people say the same thing it's likely solid info
Find the older guru in the area, with years more experience than most, their beta is likely the most reliable
Get in contact with the state or federal agencies that manage the are you will be traveling in
Many of the people who work there spend the majority of their time in the backcountry and are very in tune with the necessary knowledge for planning trips
They will have the most up to date information about permits, closure, reported dangers, and other things to watch out for
Often will have maps and other helpful information for planning
Guidebooks
Other considerations
Permits
COVID rules have brought new rules and new permit regulations
Often larger groups require permits
Do your research, certain tracts of wilderness require them
Wilderness areas often require them for backpacking
National Parks require backpacking passes
Respect a regions rules/permits and abide by them
They are often free, so just go do it
Navigation techniques, strategies, terminology, and tactics
Naismith's Rule
Allow 1 hour for every 3 miles (5 km) forward, plus 1 hour for every 2000 feet (600 meters) of ascent.
This rule can and should be adjusted based on the slowest member of your group. If your group is faster than this rule, take it as an upper estimate. How long would it take if we were slowed down? "The minimum time required to complete a route
Other adjustments can be made based on the quality of terrain or the angle of descent
For example: "When walking on poor terrain, allow 1 hour for every 2.5 miles (4 km) forward, instead of 1 hour per 3 miles.
On a gentle decline (about 5-12°), subtract 10 minutes per 1000 feet of descent. On a steep decline (over 12°), add 10 minutes per 1000 feet of descent."
This rule does not account for any other challenges that may occur on your route. Things like breaks, sight seeing, gear repair or any number of things can quickly add time to your journey.
Key Terrain Features to be able to identify with topo lines
Ridges
Drainages
Summits
Techniques
Aiming off
It is often difficult to hit a far off specific target. Even if we know distance, once we arrive the point could be right or left
This technique works best when looking for a specific point along a line feature
Instead of setting a bearing directly for your target destination, the idea is to follow a bearing that is deliberately set to the right or left of it, so you know which way to turn when you reach the line feature.
Handrails
Having a manmade or terrain feature to one side of you, will prevent you from going too far in that direction. This technique requires that you specifically identify the handrail as such, otherwise it's just another bit of land
All line features can be used as a handrail
Backstops
A large identifiable and noticeable terrain feature or object that is past the point that you want to end up at. If you arrive at your backstop, you know you have gone too far
Lakes
Trail junctions
Summits
Dramatic changes in elevation
Most line features
Sightings
A technique to help you maintain a straight line
First pick two in line objects far off in the direction of travel. As you walk towards them, if they come out of line you know you have strayed from your course
Terminology
Line Features: anything that runs in a straight line
Examples
Creeks/ rivers/ streams
Ridgelines
Roads
Gullies
Cliffs
Powerlines
Fences
Train tracks
Everything is relative and nothing is perfectly straight. Take the time to figure at what is straight enough for your purposes. Less straight things cause worse worse problems as you use them over longer distances.
Col: The lowest point of a ridgeline that connects two peaks
Timing and Pacing
Baseline for pacing should start off of the slowest person in the group
This person will not always be the same person, and you must be aware of your entire group. If someone starts to lag behind, they are likely now the slowest person in your group, and your pace needs to change to accommodate them
If you are going faster than they can maintain, you will just end up slowing yourself down more when you eventually need to stop because they can't go on.
Pretty rude to hike ahead of someone all the time, wait for them to catch up, give them less time than you had to recover and drink water, and then repeat the process
Pacing
walk natural and smooth to get an accurate result
Different terrain will impact your total paces taken per 100 yds
Find how many paces it take you to walk 100yds
Pacing Beads
Used to keep track of how many paces have been taken
Usually has 10 beads on the rope
On the trail considerations
The best plan to avoid getting lost is to always know where you are.
No plan survives contact with the enemy
A plan is necessary before setting off towards a new location
Be okay with changing the plan
Nothing in nature can be predicted with 100% accuracy
Make sure that when the plan does change, you are still making sound and logical decisions. Check your partners and plan around what you know, not how you feel
Information that you take with you will not always be accurate. Things change in nature: maps, charts, GPS, etc. do not update instantly.
Identifying your location
From resection
it's a process of identifying three features, and drawing lines to place you in a triangle on the map.
very challenging
from a compass bearing
Hold the compass flat and point at the direction of travel.
turn the compass housing until the arrow lies under the magnetic needle and the red end of magnetic needle point north.
Read off bearing
Adjust for declination
From the map
"I think I am here on the map. If I am I must be able to see these features"
From the ground
"I can see these features. Where are they on the map?"
From transit lines
creating a triangle from a main feature and 2 points on the trail (on the map) and then figuring out which point you are on the trail
From the slope aspect
Not that accurate and only eliminates where you are not
Works Cited
“Aiming Off - A Compass Navigation Technique.” SectionHiker.Com, 12 Oct. 2015,
https://sectionhiker.com/aiming-off-a-compass-navigation-technique/
.
“Map & Compass: Adjust for Declination & Orient the Map.” Andrew Skurka, 16 July 2016,
https://andrewskurka.com/map-compass-adjust-for-declination-orient-the-map/
.
Maumturks Walking Club | Naismith’s Rule.
http://www.maumturkswalkingclub.ie/naismith.html
. Accessed 16 May 2021.
“MountainSafety.Co.Uk.” MountainSafety.Co.Uk,
https://www.mountainsafety.co.uk/Nav-Aiming-Off.aspx
. Accessed 16 May 2021.
“Skills.” Orienteering ACT,
https://act.orienteering.asn.au/resources/skills/
. Accessed 16 May 2021.
US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. What’s the Difference between a Nautical Chart and a Map?
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/chart_map.html
. Accessed 16 May 2021.