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Backpacker Magazine – November 2012
Master Class: Read the Wilderness
Use nature's signs to orient yourself, pick your path through varied terrain, and predict the weather.
Photo by Look for clues in the landscape. (B. Pilgrim)
Photo by Use the sun's position to estimate remaining daylight. (James Senter)
Photo by Predators, like bears, leave signs of their presence. (John Jaques)
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Tags:
- Navigation |
- Skills |
- Environment |
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READERS COMMENTS
Great navigation tips Backpacker! The ability to know your way and know where you are is something we all need in any survival situation not just while hiking. Stay found by using a compass and paying attention to your surroundings. A compass doesn't need a signal or batteries and works in all types of weather but you need to know how to use it and "Felix the Sugar Glider Be Safe Hike Smart" (Amazon) makes learning how to use a compass easy. Orient yourself day or night by using a compass, a compass and a map, a map and no compass, no compass and no map. This book is for all ages. It's only about 34 pages and illustrated.
Great article for a brief skills summary. Perhaps a more lengthy article should be in consideration.
Minor point here, but the Polaris graphic can be misleading. Unfortunately, many people have the misconception that the North Star (Polaris) is brighter than other stars - but it's not. It is strictly unique because of it's convenient location above Earths axis. So when you are looking for Polaris PLEASE BE AWARE that it is not especially bright!
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