How to navigate to a small feature: Techniques

Part 4 - How to navigate to a small feature: Techniques

Knowing how to use the compass and reading the map are key skills when out in the mountains. Perhaps you are feeling a little more adventurous now and you want to navigate to a particular feature on the map. Some features can be very difficult to find even in clear weather so there are some techniques you can use to help you find what you are looking for. Say you are looking for a point in a path that you need to follow to get back home. Will you know for sure it is the right path when you get to it? Often times you can miss features like this and end up searching for them for a long time when a few minutes extra prep at the start, some useful navigation techniques can ensure you find the target with certainty.

***

TIMING

Timing I speak about more in the "Planning your walks" page on my website (follow the link) but the basic principles involve your speed over a measured distance. I walk at a relatively quick 5km per hour on average. Others walk at 2km per hour so it really depends on the person. At 5km per hour this translates into 12 minutes per kilometre along flat ground, we should naturally add more time if climbing steep ground, rule of thumb is for every contour (10m line) you cross heading uphill on the map add a minute. Naismiths formula lets you determine how long a walk should take you but will involve a little time in advance to measure the distance to be walked, counting contours etc but the effort is definately worth it. I once went on a solo walk where I had done all of this in advance, I was back at the car within 5 minutes of when I expected to be back. Over 4 hours walking that is quite impressive to be able to be that accurate regarding timing.

Timing is also useful in confirming your position on a map. Say you are not 100% sure how far along a path you are, the weather is foggy and you cant see any features to confirm your position. Knowing the time you got onto the path, how long you have been walking etc will tell you pretty accurately where you are at that time (assuming you are on the right path of course)

Its a force of habit now for me that no matter which walk I am on, no matter who is leading I will always keep and eye on the time. You should too!

***

PACING

Pacing like timing is another technique that allows you to be a lot more accurate with your walks than simply pointing the compass in a direction and blindly following it. When on a route with many turns for instance pacing can be of real benefit. It requires concentration however above that of a standard hill walk and in my experience can be exhausting but it is a great habit to get oneself into. Most people take 65 double paces in a 100m distance. That means launching off with the right leg and every time that leg touches the ground we count another pace. (1 - left foot - 2 left foot 3 etc.) Make sure you check yours however on a known 100m long area somewhere near you, running track perhaps and count your paces. I take 62 paces for instance and I know someone who takes 70. It is very individual.

It is also important to add extra paces for steep and rough terrain but again this can only be gained from practice. I always count out 100m blocks so as not to get too confused by the amount of paces I have taken, be sure however to keep track of how many 100m blocks you have done. Used in tandem with timing, pacing can be an invaluable technique to use in the field. It allows you to confirm the whole time that you are where you think you are. Particularly in bad weather you should constantly be looking out for confirmation markers. Paths diverging, rivers, steep terrain, forestry (to a lesser degree as forests can often be cut down while the maps is not updated), these can all be used to confirm exactly where you are at all times.

***

AIMING OFF

This is another technique that can be used when looking for small targets, paths, rivers etc. It involves taking a bearing to one side of the feature deliberately aiming off. Then when you get to that feature you can turn either left of right depending on which side of the feature you aimed off at. Its a basic method but once you reach the point at aiming off you know for certainty that the feature is to one side instead of arriving there and wondering if you missed it, which side did I miss it to? etc.

***

HANDRAILS

You can sometimes link together line features such as rivers, streams, paths, walls etc. to form a path that can be easily followed. It can be longer than just following a straight line to a target but more reliable

***

ATTACK POINTS

This technique involves navigating to an obvious feature before navigating to the small target feature. You can then do small navigation legs to find your small feature instead of trying to be very accurate from the outset.

***

OVERSHOOT FEATURES

It is as basic as it sounds. Having something in your mind that you know once you see this I have gone too far is an excellent safety technique. It can be as basic as "once I start losing ground again I know I have missed the summit".

***

REMEMBER

Navigation is about knowing at all times where you are (Self location is paramount) and where you are going. In order to be able to help you to navigate safely remember the 4 D's

Direction - Compass bearing

Distance - How far away is it? confirmed en route with timing, pacing etc

Description - What should I see along the way and when I get there? If I aim off what will I see? What are the overshoot features?

Duration - How long will it take to get there? Again timing and pacing are used here

There is no rule book saying you have to use all the techniques above on your day walking, but having a fundamental understanding of them, using them regularly enough to be familiar with them can help on the nasty days when visibility is very low and navigation difficult. Practice makes perfect so try to practice these on a good clear day when you can confirm you have the techniques mastered.