Wilderness Navigation

USGS Topographic Maps -- Limitations of Maps -- Customizing and Modifying Maps -- Carrying Maps on a Wilderness Trip -- Where to Get Maps -- The Importance of the Map -- Compass Basics -- Types of Base Plate Compasses -- Bearings in the Field -- Magnetic Declination -- Back Bearings -- Bearings on the Map -- Practicing with the Compass -- Tips on Compass Use -- The Map and Compass: A Checklist -- Orientation with Map and Compass -- Point Position -- Line Position -- Area Position -- Orienting a Map -- Direction and Bearing of the Slope -- A Reminder -- Navigation with Map and Compass -- Compass Alone -- Using Intermediate Objectives -- The Intentional Offset ("Aiming Off") -- The Parallel Path -- Navigating around an Obstruction -- Always Know Where You Are Headed, and Consider the Return Route -- Lost! -- How to Avoid Getting Lost -- What If You Do Get Lost? -- Distance Measurement on the Map -- Slope Measurement on the Map -- Range, Township, and Section -- More About Compasses and Geomagnetism -- Where to Get Declination Information -- Changes in Declination -- Dip -- Using the Clinometer -- Other Types of Compasses -- The Altimeter -- Types of Altimeters -- Effects of Weather on Altimeters -- Precision and Accuracy -- Effects of Temperature on Altimeters -- Cautions When Using the Altimeter in Wilderness Travel -- Orientation -- Navigation -- Decision Making -- Use of Bearing of the Slope with the Altimeter -- The Global Positioning System -- Selecting a GPS Receiver -- Getting Started with GPS -- Using a GPS Receiver in Wilderness Navigation -- Orientation Using GPS and UTM Coordinates -- Navigation Using GPS and UTM Coordinates -- Datums, Zones, and Bands -- Limitations of GPS Receivers -- Wilderness Routefinding -- On the Trail -- In the Forest -- In Alpine Areas -- On Snow -- Wands -- On Glaciers -- Moats and Bergschrunds -- The Bootprint -- The Art of Wilderness Routefinding.