Compass books and courses?
 

I just Purchased a Suunto M3 compass and would like to learn how to properly use it. Any recommendations for great books and possibly a course available in the Edmonton area? I have been on Youtube for hours, but would really enjoy a course atmosphere.
Thanks.

I know the UofC offers courses, maybe UofA does as well...

ARG

nothing is as valuable as just getting out and plotting a course. Get a good topo map of the area you want to hike in. Plot a course on the map and use the compass to record you turns first on the map, then on the ground.

Search "orienteering" in Edmonton.

I know there was a group here that would get together, get a map, coordinates and have to go find a specific spot in one of the parks or the river valley.
My friend was in it and said he and his wife had a lot of fun doing it and learned a lot of map and compass skills.

Boyscouts and air cadets also do orienteering. Maybe you can hook up with them.

I posted this in your other thread as well, definitely worth the read

I know that the local Search and Rescue groups all have training in map and compass use. I would behoove you to hook up with one of them and see if you can get some training. It would be even better if you joined one of them and provided a bit of help.

Parkland Search and Rescue
Edmonton Regional Search and Rescue

The Classic.

https://www.amazon.ca/Expert-Map-Com.../dp/0470407654


Grizz

There is an online course with videos for as cheap as a book. 25 lectures total 4 hours.

https://www.udemy.com/basic-land-nav...de=ADSPECIAL10

I got quite a bit experience teaching land nav, set up many courses in redwater natural area. It would all be MGRS and MILS compass but if there is some interest I could run something out there.

Check the local library for your books, then burn rubber and gas to get to the field. Nowadays free topo maps online and printers at home can give you really solid basics.

I've been referring to a copy of "Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills" since the 4th or 5th edition was in my junior high school in 93/94. I have the 8th edition on my shelf right now. Obviously the title covers lots of non-technical and technical climbing knowledge, but the parts on wilderness travel, map & compass, and first aid are first rate.

Good luck.

Map and compass is not something that I’d chose to learn in a classroom setting except for the absolute basics. Charge your phone, set it to YouTube and get a visual of your surroundings in comparison to your map and compass readings. In a classroom you plot a bearing on a map, in the field you take a bearing on a landmark and then plot it on a map. If nothing else it’ll give you a better understanding if you find a formal course.

Go on YouTube. Search Columbia River Orienteering Club. Very Very Very good instructional series!!

I disagree with any opinion on not taking a classroom course.
Take a classsroom clurse learn the basics. Then do spme local orienteering to bring it all together.

I use to teach map and compass to men and women. We always started in a classroom. Went in depth as to how a map works, how your compass works.
How to do a resection. Tale bearingels etc.
It is easier on a table to learn these and other things. Then it is to wing it on your own. Unless your good at that thing.

I will look amd see if i have my old handouts and try and scan then post them.


Good luck with your new found hobby.

Something like this, maybe?

https://boreal.net/navigation/wncs/w...re-seminar.php