Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS
where do I learn to read a map where do I learn to read a map
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS How to find your way - traditional map, compass and road signs, or GPS and more
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals




Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 6 May 2003
alan hopkins's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Birmingham on Sea - England
Posts: 208
where do I learn to read a map
May sound stupid but the only map reading I have ever done is on roads, albeit all over europe.
I've been looking in bookshops for a while and even bought a couple of books but all a bit vague and unstructured (sort of school ref. bookish)
Can anyone reccommend a book, course or anything where I can actually learn to learn more off piste direction skills from using a compass properly to identifying stars.
__________________
have fun with your helmet!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 6 May 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Porto, Portugal
Posts: 185
Might help - all my navigation skills were based on walking/mountain biking stuff.

This seems highly recommended by the British Mountaineering Council

Navigation for Walkers
Author: Julian Tippett
Paperback - 121 pages (March 2001)
Cordee; ISBN: 1871890543

This was the book I used to borrow to swat up for my exams. Really good.

Mountain Navigation
Peter Cliff


This one will probably have too much info on other stuff but the navigation material is the bible of the outdoor world. These last 2 you should be able to get at a library as they have been out Years!! in one form or another.

HTH. T.
Mountaincraft and Leadership
Eric Langmuir
__________________
Tony Robson
I'll try anything once, twice if it didn't kill me!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 7 May 2003
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 182
I would be really interested in this as well! I think it would be really useful since I don't want to use GPS, like to stick to the more traditional, hands-on approach to things myself.
Problem with technology is that if your fancy gadget breaks, you're stuffed if you don't have older techniques to fall back on.

------------------
My website
__________________
Africa Trips web journal
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 7 May 2003
alan hopkins's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Birmingham on Sea - England
Posts: 208
Thanks Tony, will check them out at the local library first.
Paul, I will use both. The gps will halve the work by telling me exactly where I am but I still need map skills to decide which way to go and yes, in case of gps failure.
__________________
have fun with your helmet!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 7 May 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Scotland
Posts: 775
Quote:
Originally posted by PaulJ:
Problem with technology is that if your fancy gadget breaks, you're stuffed if you don't have older techniques to fall back on.

Paul,

For the sake of a friendly argument, a printed map is still a relatively new technology, compared to the ancient art of navigation using sun, stars and land features. I'm sure there is a source for teaching this as well, as it would be even more useful knowledge to fall back to.

Rgds,
Roman (UK)
__________________
----------------
Roman (UK)
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 7 May 2003
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 182
quite right Roman!
That would be the ideal way to navigate. I would love to learn to navigate by the sun and the stars alone. I reckon the matarial I will be reading (possibly the recommendations above) would cover nagigation with map and compass as well as by sun and stars. I would imagine that reading the sun and the stars would be really useful for directional purposes...but what about for knowing where you are? If you don't have GPS or a map, that would be a tough one! (I suppose you could just read a sign or ask someone haha!)

------------------
My website
__________________
Africa Trips web journal
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 29 Feb 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 1,232
You could try enrolling on an evening class in nautical navigation. Features don't come much less featureless than the sea! this will tech you about GPS use,'dead reckoning' with map and compass, star navigation etc.
__________________
1990 Landcruiser H60. Full rebuild completed 2014
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 8 Apr 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Posts: 456
You can download “Map Reading and Land Navigation” from the reading room of my site at:
www.oasisphoto.com/readingroom
It’s pretty good even though it teaches navigation from a military point of view. Note that the UTM coordinate system described in the book is the US Military / NATO version that differ from the Global UTM that the rest of the world uses.


------------------
A.B.

OasisPhoto.com – Images from the Magical Sahara.
ShortWheelbase.com – Jeep preparations.
__________________
A.B.
OasisPhoto.com – Images from the Magical Sahara.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 8 Apr 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Eureka, CA USA
Posts: 323
Look up a local orentering (sp) club near you and talk to them about learning to navagate. As far as using the sun it rises in the east and sets in the west. If it is morning and the sun is on your right you are facing north etc.Use this referance while walking around town or other areas where you live. After a while you will just check automatically.

Learn to use a map and compass first. Navagation by stars is much harder, so learn to walk before you run. Take care and I hope this helps

------------------
John
__________________
John
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 9 Apr 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2002
Location: London, UK
Posts: 635
the territorial army in the UK used to be pretty good according to friends who enlisted.

sun is fun: as a northerner (N51deg), I always get confused when I go to southern hemisphere, but I really enjoyed crossing the equator and seeing my GPS flip from S to N. another fun thing in the tropics is when the sun is directly overhead - you can even tell the date +/- a week!

northern pointer and southern cross are worth knowing about, but I have few who know them. for us northerners, the pointer is the most useful: Orion's belt is the shaft and his scabbard is one side of the head of the arrow that points north. best get familiar with orion before guessing which constellation he is when you're in the sahara! that said, knowing where north is at night from the pointer is only really useful if ever you had to walk out as riding/driving at night is very silly.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 29 Sep 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: London UK
Posts: 39
One book worth reading, and is comprhensive about celestial navigation is from the RYA (royal yachting association) by Pat langley-price. have a look at their website or type into Amazon books to check out the various titles.

For reference I use a GPS but always have a map to compliment it. And, a compass stored under the seat in case of technology failure.

One question, where are you planning to use these skills when you have leanrt them??
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 30 Oct 2004
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Devon, UK
Posts: 148
I bought 'SAS Navigation & Tracking' handbook - very easy to read and very useful for all sorts of things (incl. basic GPS). Bought it on ebay for £5.

Has tips on tracking too, which proved very useful for me recently when I was following 4WD tracks but needed to know whether they were travelling in the same direction as me. Remembered reading that you can tell by looking at stones - they are pushed away from the direction of travel by the wheels. Book has that sort of stuff in it - great!


------------------
Barry
3AJ Tenere
__________________
Barry
XT600Z 3AJ Tenere (rebuild in progress)
SRX600
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:23.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top