Wilderness Skills

Hiking, backpacking and other wilderness recreation creates lasting memories for individuals and families alike. Getting lost in the forest is a memory no one wants, though. When trekking through...

Navigation through unfamiliar terrain can be difficult without the appropriate tools and skills. Knowing how to orient a map using a compass is essential for wilderness navigation. With a few...

In its most basic form, orienteering is the art of reading a map and using a compass. Commonly, orienteering involves hiking over varying terrain to a predetermined destination without the aid of...

Military issue lensatic compasses continue to be an important part of a soldier's kit. The deep well dial design remains accurate in both hemispheres of the world. Designs have improved many times...

This survival guide will give you valuable tips to use when you have a car break down, get lost while hiking, have a power outage, are caught in a natural disaster, or even during times of civil...

Have you ever been lost in the woods or on a hike with only a compass and a map? Whether you answered yes or no to the above question—you will certainly agree it’s best to know how to use a...

Using a compass involves holding it as level as possible, finding the desired direction or bearing and using the magnetic north needle as reference. Use a compass to navigate through the...

Making a compass in the wild can be done using a sewing needle, a magnet and some stagnant water, or it can be done using the shadows of the sun to find east and west. Get your bearings in the...

The parts of a compass include the degree measurements around the circumference of the circle, the magnetic north needle that always points north and any other attachments, such as a magnifying...

More than simply finding your way through the woods, orienteering combines cross country running with the challenge of navigating to hidden points with map and compass. Variations of the sport...

Hikers and backpackers should learn how to read a map and compass. Learn how to read a map and compass to navigate in the wilderness in this free video on wilderness navigation.

Wilderness survival experts use compasses to navigate for wilderness survival. Learn how to use a compass to navigate in the wilderness in this free video on wilderness navigation.

Wilderness survival experts must be able to find true north without the aid of a compass. Learn how to find true north without a compass and navigate by true north while alone in the wilderness in...

Have you wondered how foresters, surveyors and other professional outdoorsmen use maps and a compass to find where they are or locate points on a map? That knowledge is useful if you are a hunter,...

You should know where you are anytime you are hiking in unfamiliar territory, even if you're not deep into an area off the beaten path. GPS units are a marvelous invention to help you determine...

While hiking or camping or doing any other outdoor recreation, you may find yourself in need of a compass. A compass is helpful if you get lost or need to determine which way is north while...

A pocket navigator is a handmade compass to determine direction. It's similar to a sundial, but you need to know the time in order to use this for direction. Build one before you go into the...

Whether you're lost in the woods or wondering which direction the windows face in a house you are thinking of buying, you may need to find north without a compass. An ordinary wristwatch can...

Not sure where you're going, even with a compass in hand? Follow these steps for easier and more efficient travel.

If you're lost, try not to panic like those losers in "The Blair Witch Project." The best thing you can do is stop, relax and think about your course of action. No matter how dire the situation...

Does your life lack direction? Learn to read a compass properly and you'll always know which way to go.

Orienting the map will get it pointing in the right direction so that the map features conform to the features and directions of the real world.

When you know the magnetic direction you want to travel, you must set that direction on your compass.