How to use a Map and Compass - Part 1 : Taking a Bearing from the map

Thankyou !! I’ve searched and searched for a video that explains this clearly . It’s all clicked now !!

I’ve been thinking of going hiking again for a little while( 40 years since last time) Need to refresh my skills and these 3 episodes have been by far the best on YouTube Well done, Thanks 😊

A very good skill to have...used to teach my students in geography class this each year...it seems to be a lost skill with the use of cell phone technology...but the compass will never run out of batteries...great lesson...thanks so much!

What an excellent video, very well explained and informative. I do lots of walking with my 3 children on known routes but am keen to use a compass and map to navigate, watching this has given us the bug to try out this weekend on familiar trails until we are confident to give it a go on somewhere unknown. Keep up the good work!

Excellent instructions. Thank you so much for explaining how to take a bearing in so much detail. I was really confused by all the other videos I watched.

Here in the USA it’s called ‘dog in the doghouse’ or ‘red in the shed’ and you sir are an excellent instructor!

Thank you John - loved your explanations and examples and I think I finally understand how to use a compass and map thanks to you! I can finally preserve my phone battery for other things and without worrying about runninv low! 😅

I'd always count 73 steps (starting with left, ending with right) for every hundred meters if there wasn't any references visible. Excellent video, sir 👍🏻🙏🏻

Thank you Sir, this video is very informative plus excellent knowledge on navigation!

You put out some really great topics and information. I try to look at the topo maps but you gave some great tips on things to look at that I hadn't considered. Thank you for taking the time and for doing a great job of explaining things.

Thank you so much for taking the time to explain this. I've found it easy to understand and very informative. You used Gowbarrow Fell as an example which is actually a walk we did only last year!

Simple yet clearly explained 👍 I stand info beniftted,thank you

Excellent demonstration. I have used the same kind of compass, a bit more expensive (a Suunto) in total white-out zero visibility and with good effect. Suggestions: (1) orient the paper map to magnetic north. Then you can read directions directly off the compass. Orienting the capsule markings to map north, as you did, accomplishes the same thing but slightly less accurate because of the short baseline inside the rotating capsule. (2) Beware anything magnetic near your body when you are sighting. It will deflect the needle and you'll end up going in the wrong direction or even in a circle. (3) Watch out for the bubble; it will push the needle.

Thanks for sharing. I had forgotten how to work out magnetic variation.

Really enjoyed watching this. I’ve got a couple of these compasses which the children needed for school many years ago but I’ve never known how to use them. I’m gonna watch this again and have a go in our local park. Very informative, looking forward to next instalment 😀

Hi John. I hope you’re well. Trying to get through loads of camping videos that I’ve been meaning to watch for literally years😆 Got to this one. Some really useful stuff here mate. Things that anyone tackling wild camping in places like Dartmoor should have at least a basic understanding of. ATB. Al.

👍👍...that was clear, concise and very informative - really an essential watch for anyone getting ready to hit the hills - Cheers John - T🙂

Thanks, lovely clear explanation. Could have used thrse skills this weekend! Took a wrong turn on a foot path. Luckily had phone / Google maps

Absolutely loved your presentation! Another way to account for magnetic declination is to account for it when you begin, while orienting the map. By doing it before you take your bearing, essentially, you’re turning your map from Grid North to Magnetic North. Then, as long as you don’t move the map, all bearings that you take from the map will be a magnetic bearing, not a grid bearing. This will help to reduce errors in the field, such as a math error. Further, you don’t have to worry about adjusting a declination screw on the compass each time you go to a different area. Just a thought. Again, I really enjoyed your presentation! Simple & easy to follow!

Nice effect(s) of clouds rolling in for reenactment.