Winter Navigation With Map & Compass

• Fitness level 2 Easy Active
• Minimum age 14
• Group size 6 people

Head out into the snow for a day of hands-on navigation training. You will learn to see three dimensions of the land in the two dimensions of a topographic map. We will don our snowshoes and teach you how to read contour lines, landmarks and other map features. We'll also talk about magnetic north, true north, and magnetic variation, and help you make sense of it all. From there, you'll learn how to take a bearing from the terrain and your map so that you can triangulate your position and plan a route even in the snow. Maps and compasses will be provided. Prior snowshoeing experience is recommended (Introduction to Snowshoeing Class or equivalent skills). This is not a snowshoeing skills class and students should be able to snowshoe for 2-3 miles.

• Learn how to read topographic lines and other basic features on a map
• Learn how to orient a map to match the environment both with and without a compass
• Learn basic compass features and how to utilize the map with a compass
• Learn how to plot your current position on your map
• Use a map & compass to navigate to new locations even when the trail is covered in snow
• Build confidence in your navigation skills.