HOW TO USE A COMPASS WITHOUT A MAP
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- Опубліковано 18 сер 2024
- In this video we'll walk through how to use a compass without a map. Maybe you're trying to create your own map of a bug out location or personal property. Maybe you're hiking through back-country and don't have a detailed map. You could be day hiking and want to explore the area you're in. Whatever the scenario - you have a compass, no map -- and need to know how to use it to roam around and return back to your starting position!
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In this video, I'll demonstrate how to use a Cammenga Lensatic Compass - it's the compass used by the US Military, and the one I've trusted for decades. It all begins with the idea of exploring a hunting, bug out, cabin, off grid, or backwoods location. There's an area that you need to scout out, and don't have a map. I'll take you to multiple spots at different distances and then how to work your way back to your starting point!
First Disclaimer - Be Careful when exploring! This is one of the primary ways to get lost. There are countless of potential dangers if you journey off trail. Snakes. Bears. Cougars. And that's the beginning of dangerous animals. But you also have the hazard of getting lost or lower extremity injuries. So - PLEASE - do not journey off trail if you do not know what your doing.
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Hey - yes you! If you enjoy the content of the video, make sure you subscribe so you can stay up to date on future endeavors. And don't forget to leave a comment below so we can continue the conversation. BTW - you're awesome, thanks for hanging out with me here for a few minutes. - Розваги
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People have gone for a 'quick' hike and ended up dying only several hundred feet from their car or the trailhead. This information is incredibly valuable. Thanks man.
I was just going to comment this.
You are 100% correct.
Learning how to use a compass proficiently should be a priority for anyone who plans to spend any amount of time in the wilderness. When I hiked the Appalachian Trail, it absolutely blew my mind how many hikers had no idea how to use a compass. Hardly anyone I met on the trail even carried one. I just couldn't even believe it.
The AT is very well traveled and well defined trail. Yet hikers still go missing along that 2000+ mile long trail every year.
Knowing how to use a compass is indeed an incredibly valuable skill.
Agree, I also advice to test your compass so you know you can trust it. If you bought that no name or attic found compass and you are in the thick of it and start doubting if your compass is pointing north you are in trouble. I had it happen in a thick forest in Poland. Was going in a straight line north, was expecting to hit a „road“ running east west. When I did not hit it after the expected time and a generous margin. I thought my compass must be off. But as on any diagonal I should hit that road eventually decided to keep going north. When I finally did hit an east west road it turned out my compass was ok, the road on the map was more a trail and fully over grown so I had missed it. Pace count didn’t really help in this case as it was pure swamp and thick growth so many short steps, side steps. I went by approx. known speed in the terrain (distance per hour about 2km). Mind you this forest was so thick that you couldn’t find the trail as soon as you stepped 10m away from it and would just spin with your eyes closed.
@@Swamp_LadA compass is a valuable tool. But not the only way to navigate. Being able to recognize things is probably the first ideas that people try, and it may work ok if you have good tweaks & strategies behind it. Such as projection of the objects , sense of size & location relative to other objects (,helps you to triangulate yourself, even withiut a map) the important thing is having a simple but solid mental model about this.
I've noticed that not all people has this kind of navigation thinking intuitively. If the person has been living most of their lives in cities, they seem to completely lack ability to know "what cues to look for" they usually only recognize places if they are "at arms length". It took me long time to realize that recognizing where a place is ( even if I've never been there, only watched a map once in advance) relative to those distant objects in horizon just by seeing those, is not that common.
I am almost blind have only 0.4 field of vision bubcan still navigate "by horizon & senses". I've been able to do this as long as I can remember.
I started to lose vision at age 18 by losing nightvision and the field of vision narrowed down by time.
People have died on less than five acres of property they've purchased. People do not understand "being a lost ball in the high weeds."
Mr Stoker, that feeling that you are feeling is the need to feel like a person who is on a beautiful planet, not a hamster living in a box! I have felt it my whole life. Thanks for all your educational videos. Great stuff. Have been binge-watching your channel for two straight days.
I always say 'tis a lucky man who learns at least one thing every day'. Today l learned something. Thank you and well done.
Jason, thanks man! I’m glad it was helpful.
Excellent video man. I am a scout in the National Guard and the rabbit hole goes deep when you have to start calculating the radius of a curve and heaven forbid you come onto a bridge. Thats where the engineers handle it lol! The thing I believe is important to have no matter where you go is a write in the rain handbook. Ive used those things for years.
Man, so true! Gotta take some good notes!! I appreciate your service and hope you are doing well!
@@STOKERMATIC Absolutely brother. Im coming back stateside next week from my deployment and although it has been one hell of an experience, im ready to see some family and friends!
That was so cool! The way you played out where you had traveled and figured out how to get back without having to backtrack your steps....this was so helpful! I am just getting into survival and prepping for possible bugout.
Thanks! Hope you enjoy the content and that it’s helpful! Best to ya on your journey!
How is your quest going ? Have you used the technique yet....I did it with 7 points, worked perfectly . I did have to go back to point 4 due to losing my pace count, 🤫 but ya, worked mint🍸
adding to his instruction: Measure out 100 meters with a tape measure and walk it out 3 times , preferably in different terrain. You'll get a good idea of what your pace average is. This is helpful in long distance movements of 5 , 10, 15 kilometers
I'm 62, why did it take me so long to become interested in Navigation?A lot to digest looking at the big picture, but even I can understand this.Very informative. Thank You!
Tim, better late than never! Hope my land nav playlist helps you out!
Quickly becoming my favorite channel. I live in the Ocala National Forest in Florida and am way into compasses,maps,and GPS. Love to pick a spot on a topo map and try to find it.Thanks for your excellent info.
Thanks James, man I appreciate that. Keep exploring & stay safe down there in Freedom Florida!
My Grandfather was a timber cruiser. Lumber companies hire them to walk land and come back with accurate information on tree types & board feet of lumber yield. Area could be a section or 100 sections. He often mentioned a “compass man”. So, I guess on those big 100,000 acre cruise’s, one of the men would keep track, and probably map the area. Besides cruising the timber, he recommended where roads best go for economical timber harvest. You’d be a good timber cruiser or a good compass man. Thanks for passing on your knowledge
He was born in 1889 and except for a year or two in the Army during the Great War, he worked in the woods cruising timber and land surveying into the early 1950’s when I knew him. Much different than men today. He cruised in Michigan, Minnesota, Virginia, Guatemala, British Honduras, Wisconsin
Sounds like a helluva man.
I’m amazed! I learned reading a compass when I was younger, now that I’m older, it still amazes me on how to get home. The 550 cord trick, ( my younger day’s was nylon string), got me out of a big jam.
Good job!
Right on Kevin, thanks for sharing that!
I wanted to know how to use my compass and you spelled it out better than anyone else I've see so far! Hey, from Australia where we always look where we step!
Thank you Sky! I'm glad it was helpful, and I hope some of my other content resonates as well. Hope all is well down under!
Stoker
Loved your plotting the traverse on the ground. That was brilliant in my book.😊😊
Super helpful with a good practical example on how to continue to expand compass skills. Really appreciate your time in prepping these videos. Always looking for advanced land nav instruction. Thanks
Matthew - I'm stoked the content resonated with you!
Thanks a lot for the info. I love the idea of recreating the hike with direction and pace notes on the ground with para-cord and sticks. This could come in handy.
Glad it was helpful!
I'm just now getting into learning this stuff and I must say I appreciate your enthusiasm my good man. You would make a great teacher if you aren't already one. Subscribed!
Appreciate that! 🇺🇸🥃
Very, very informative. This is a life saving tool to have! As an avid backpacker I will be using this technique. Thank you for sharing.
...........it's just a thing! Hadn't heard that since Vietnam and you can add to that......don't mean nothing!
Excellent job and continue to march......all the way!
Thanks John! I hope the memory was a find one!
Clear and informative
Thank you Stoker for another great video. This is a great response video to the hunting scenario I presented.
" I'm out deer hunting and park my truck (point Alpha). I leave and hit points bravo, charlie, delta. I recorded my asmuth & pacecount, but do not want to backtrack to hit my truck."
I can see with this technique that having a proper pace count and an accurate bearing is super important when creating our map. The further we are away from our truck, the more accuracy matters! if we're off by 3 degrees that's going to be amplified over a greater distance.
Michael! Glad it kind of worked out - hate it took so long. And indeed - the further you go, the more attention to detail we need to take!
@@STOKERMATIC i think you did a good job with it. My kids & I will be practicing these skills. This is a great skill that all outdoorsman should know.
This was a very cool vid. Just stumbled across your channel. Well done and very informative.
I got lost a few years ago in a Swedish forest, having left my backpack (compass, GPS, torch, knife, food etc) in the car before returning along a 2km trail to retrieve one piece of equipment left behind. I thought it would be a matter of fifteen minutes or so. It was getting dark and began to snow lightly, covering the tracks. I managed to get back to the car 2 hours later thanks to the pages of a notebook, which I used to mark breadcrumb trails until I found some of the flags we had left on a few trees. Since then I always carry a compass, knife and torch on my person as well as a Rite-in-the-Rain notebook & pencil.
Enjoy your vids. My health is pretty much done and I'm an old military guy. People like you remind me of the Green Mountain Boys of Revolutionary lore - America is safe and sound. Airborne!!!
Thanks Mike! That's quite the compliment! Appreciate your service as well!!
Awesome tips! Definitely a great reference to utilize in teaching my kid how to conduct general navigation. Thanks for the video.
Glad it was helpful!
If you have a notepad you can have it as a map for your tracks. Paces/meters representation in millimeters (1:1000 scale when using meters ) and bearing is sketched right from the compass.
When scouting for good berry & mushroom places, you can just sketch "as you go & scan" , then in retrospect you can optimize the tracks on your notebook by connecting/removing/lines in the noteoad depending on your findings.
Great video! Thank you sir!
Another excellent vid. Worth saying that if you get turned around / lost, this is how you get un-lost: as you expand your scouted area, you will find trail or signal ;). If the environment is permissive, coloured flagging tape (or as we call it here, mine tape) can help mark camp and waypoints.
👊
@@STOKERMATIC 🤜🤛
Absolutely value your wisdom.
I grew up in forestry and marine areas and never been lost but I know pure talent when I see it.
I was never as good as you.
Much respect sir.
I'm watching closely to learn better skills.
Right on Charles, I appreciate it. I'm sure you have some interesting experiences in the woods and on the sea.
I didnt realize how good your land nav videos were until i tried to watch a few others....DAMN !!!! Thanks for all of the land navigation stuff , it really has unlocked a ton for me. I have my Compass, I ordered a ton of maps ( I mean a ton), I have my protractor and Lord knows I have the Eglin Reservation and surrounding outdoor areas to practice. Since I have I-10 , HWY 85 and HWY 87 as barriers , I know I cant get too lost, lol. Im having fun and a lot of success with land nav now. I bought so many maps that link together , I could walk to Tennessee if I had to....might buy some Arkansas routes , that place is awesome off the beaten path.
I've been working on map and compass skills since I was working on my Eagle Scout back in the 60s. I'm still working on those skills and your videos help.
Good demo, thanks
Best navigation video on youtube
Best video ever. I'm using your Technique in the deserts of Southern Nevada and it works perfectly. We've been going out an 8th mile ,quarter mile ,and a half mile points and then coming back and it works. Going to start zip zagging and criss crossing and see how close i can get with that also ...thanks for sharing
Brother, that's awesome to hear! Stay strong, and be safe!
Hi, I’m learning about bushcraft, wild camping along with general map and compass navigation but in this video without the map! I liked the way this all came together with the visual representation with stakes and 550 towards the end. Great video. Keep it up... from Paul in Plymouth England.
Paul! Awesome!! Glad our paths crossed / and happy you enjoyed the video. Hope your able to check out some other content and if you have any area you think could be explored in a future video let me know!
Good Ole cammenga. My favorite. Has been since 1970-74. You mentioned reasons why people get out in the woods. Whatever the reason do it while you're young. It's damned hard at 71 with severe spinal stenosis and a bum ticker. Doctors told me don't do it. I say I'll do it till I can't. Four years in the Seabees taught me to rest when the job is done, not when I'm tired.
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Great video!!!
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Great show I'm learning slot ty
When I was 18 me and a friend were on a trip. We stopped at a place called cat creek. I decided to go for a quick hike before it got dark took nothing but my compass. This is in Montana plains. When I was traveling back it seemed like I had gone farther than I should have. And like you said the panic started in. And I was doubting if I read my compass right had direction of travel right ect. Had to stop. tell my self to take a breath. And trust your compass. So once I did that. (instead of running in circles like a scared rabbit) I had to walk about another 200 yards when I crested a hill. And there was the fire rd and the car about 75 yard away. And a big sie of relief. Ever since then I make sure that I and my compass are oriented correctly.
Whew! Scary moments for sure! Thanks for sharing that Ron!
That was great thanks so much 😀👍🏻
Your videos are so informative and the way you present it is so amusing... keep it up and thank you!
Stay safe sir!
I appreciate that!! Thanks!
still useful! great job!
Thanks you lerning me a soo much ! , will put and try it
😄
Great video packed with great information! Well done! I've seen this method on other UA-cam channels & they refer to it as the "PAUL" method (Positive Azimuth Uniform Layout). You are right, if this is used correctly you can find your way back to not only your starting point but to any of the other azimuths previously taken. The only thing I would add to what you showed so well, would be azimuth accuracy. In your video the longest distance you traveled was 225 meters, with the other azimuths being shorter. The azimuth accuracy in the shorter distances doesn't matter to much, you would probably be close enough to see where your trying to go. But on longer treks, each degree off could put you way off course & miss your destination altogether. I would be proud to tag along with you in the wilderness any day! Thanks again for a great video!!
No doubt that a few degrees off will put you off your mark over a greater distance. That’s why I always recommend presenting your compass. Could have shown how and why that’s important. Appreciate your insight and time!
Stoker
Well spoken and all knowledge. Now I have to get a compass and get it a try. Thank You.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Tried out a little bit of land nav based on a simpler state park map with a small tape measure and a cammenga. Tried cutting through the terrain from node point to node point of the main trail intersections. Not bad for the first time out. Very difficult to keep a pace count when the kids are asking questions while attempting to walk through a field of thorn bush. Hahaha
Got the overall understanding. Can't wait to go and try this method.
Thanks
Glad you're enjoying the content and getting out to practice!
Awesome video! Just added more knowledge to my arsenal. Thank you!!!
Thanks!!
Best detailed info on how to use a compass I've seen not an expert compass reader just a bowhunter used it for years to go in and out but the paces and laying out a map and measuring the distance badass I like it
🇺🇸🇺🇸🥃
Thanks so much. I recorded your examples of degrees and distance as a training method EXAMPLE for my own land navigation in the near future. I noticed i had the same note book you used. That was cool. The plotting distance of degrees on the ground was so very cool. You’re the first ever to show me that. I really enjoyed your video. Do you have a video specifically showing how to know one’s pace count?
Great video. Mapping out using paracord, protractor and sticks on ground w/compass pretty cool.
Good stuff. This is good knowledge to have when out and about in the field , wherever that may be. Very practical skill to use & enjoy the great outdoors with. Thanks for the refresher & it's also a good confidence builder too. Trek on my friend.
That was awesome
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That was well done, learned a lot….
Thanks for the help! Looking forward to seeing what is out in the state park’s hiking.
PERFECT for every occasion, thank you sir
You're most welcome Nick!
Thank You Very Much! This is exactly what i could not figure out on my own.
This was a fantastic demo. Nice Subaru too.
Glad it was helpful brother. And thanks!
Awesome explanation!! Very easy to understand…
Glad it was helpful! 🇺🇸👊
This was very helpful! Thank you for putting this together
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent Video Brother !
Thank You Sir.
It's been decades since I was in the Boy Scouts.
Right on! One more thing we share in common - I made Eagle about 20 days before I turned 18! lol.
Great video.. This is what I like about using a compass
Very impressive many thanks and greetings from the Uk
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it. Hope all is well!!
Thank you, the map on the ground to nav back to your jump off point was great.
Glad it resonated!
Damn brother I love that little map with Paracord.
Jason, thanks brother! Just a way. I’m sure there’s others to explore.
Thank u, I can navigate pretty good, but this techinque u showed with the paracord, and the sticks was always kind of a mystery to me, I never looked in to it much. but thanks , I got it now
Awesome!
Brother man, wished I had some cool places in Nebraska to do some hiking. Things are pretty flat and boring, mostly farm land and golf courses. Thanx for the cool vid! Semper Fi Brother! 💪
Nothing wrong with farm land Mark! Glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent video! Very useful.
Thanks Sir.!!! From Mexico
Right on!
Great job
🥃
You are right about believing in your compass. I was hunting one time and I was at least 1 mile in from my truck when I decided to sit down and rest. Of course I fell asleep. I was in a big stand of white birches all about 4-6” in diameter. It was an overcast day so I couldn’t look at the sun. I pulled out my compass and took a bearing and of course I didn’t believe it. The next thing you know I was running through the woods with a loaded gun in my hand. Luckily I came out to my truck about 2 miles down the road. I even fired my rifle 3 times and no one responded. That was very scary!
Glad you made it through!
EXCELLENT👌!
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!👍
Thank you! Will do!
Very informative thank you
Glad it was helpful!
I live in New Hampshire. I gohikikingbut often you end up on switch back and squirreltrails thru the mountains. What you do seems to work good and whew I grew up in Nebraska but not so much here. Not complaining. Love your videos. Good advice in the right Terrance.
Good stuff Joseph! I have a video coming out on the 20th about map reading and terrain association - hope you have a chance to let me know what you think.
I think the technique in this one is probably better for mapping an area - day you have 40 acres and you want to draw a detailed 1:5000 map to scale.
I’m rambling.:..thanks for your comment Joseph!
Great video! Thanks
Stay Stoked!
Nice that you finally got to the point. Good job
Thanks!
I love the outdoors. Never been lost but sometimes wish it would happen.
Me too!
You cought yourself when you should have tied the compass off to yourself at the same time I thought the thought. And nice job using and showing the paul method on the return. ❤
Very useful man. I like the protractor too.
Enjoyed the vid. Would have been complete with one example of circumventing an obstacle on your trail line and picking up the correct azimuth again.
Thanks for this! Love real world examples. Subscribed!
Right on Robert!
Awesome and very informative video, thank you very much.✌️🇺🇸
Great video. Would love it if you explained it like you would to a 13 year old that didn't know about it
Awesome video! Lots of important life saving information for sure. Well done! Thank you for the video!
Great videos. Im a wildland firefighter pilot and fly over the Everglades we protect. Always hike in there and also love the Northwest! I like keeping up with all the survival and training vids. Keep up the great work!
I remember as a child getting lost on a wooded lot, probably a little more than an acre in size. I knew what side the road was on and which direction from the road back to my house. So not a big deal but it does show how you can get turned around and lose your sense of direction even in a small patch of woods.
The roman soldiers counted paces from city to city. They set the distance for one mile at 5280 feet. Which happens to be 1000 paces. Average pace length is 5.28 '.😊😊😊
Great shortcut to find back azmith called Move the 2. If the first digit is a 0 or 1, ADD a 2 and then SUBTRACT a 2 from the second digit. If the first digit is a 2 or 3, SUBTRACT 2 and ADD 2 to the second digit. For example: the reciprocal of 040 degrees? As the first number is 0, add 2; and then subtract 2 from the second digit. The result is 220 degrees.
There you go!
Wicked video.. much appreciated! 👏
👊 🥃
Hello, very good explanation and easily understood. I learned something from this video.
Thanks,
Shine on
Right on! Thanks for the feedback Louis!
Stay Stoked
Electronic pace counter would be helpful . I sort of rely on spacial awareness it’s hasn’t done me wrong . I’ve been lost on Mt. Tamalpias ( Marin County California) it was at night I was by myself and 17 years old, I panicked, that was my first mistake.
Loved it!!! Great example of fieldcraft. Cheers from Alberta!!!
Thanks Paul, glad you enjoyed it! Cheers from Washington state! Glad to have ya!
Where do I find a flat protractor that that has a 50meter reading. Which one do you have because I can’t find it?
Awesome thanks
Right on!!
Yo! This is probably THE best on-hands demonstration in practical compass usage. AGAIN, not using a map or adjusting magnetically. If you can present more complex applications of compass usage in the same manner, serious students as myself would greatly benefit by your supurb instrction. Thanks! BM3 Burden USCG
I appreciate it amigo! Working on more all the time. Check out land nav playlist too.
Stay stoked.
@@STOKERMATIC Again, thanks and stay safe!
Great guide, thank you very much for that.
Glad it was helpful! Hope my other content is equally as useful.
great job. I learnt something today. thanks
Thanks!
Sir it was very helpful.. Keep on adding up this informative stuff it's very helpful.. Thankyou..
Thank you!
I’m looking to the cheap 100+ camps in Maine this will be useful
Would love to spend some time in Maine!
2nd time watching this one. Excellent content, invaluable in fact. I just added 10 , 6" nails . One nail has 5 feet on heavy back line wrapped around it.😉 No map needed to hike around ,or tree stand hunt ...and find the car at the end🤣......Perfect ! Wish they taught us this in boy scouts,but that was 40 years ago...... Now I have to look up the local bsa , make sure they are teaching this type of land nav.🍻 P.A.U.L system right?
Right on! 👊🏴☠️
Great video, seems like simple and potentially life saving info to get you back to your starting point without a map. How are we saying the full length of the protractor is scaling fifty meters or are you just using the length of the protractor as a general guide?
As a reference you can tie off a piece of string from your last points of exit incase you may have to retreat back to it as a survival stand point but a combat situation is understood not to leave a stace.
Nice job illustrating how to mark measure and azimuth your way back.
A few years ago my wife and I went for our usual Sunday forest walk with our dog we were so confident that we knew our way we didn't take compass or mobile phone but on this occasion heavy snow storm started everything look so different covering all the paths back to the car we got lost for a few hours Alec from Scotland
Wow - quite the story Alec! Glad it turned out okay for you both. Thanks for sharing!
This was so damn informative. so much appreciated sir.
Victor! Thank you!!
Cool!