You just can’t “stay found” with GPS alone! You need the right map and a compass too. But how do you use them together for a day hike, a backpack, a hunt or a mountain bike adventure?

We will talk about USGS Quad maps ($6) and affordable TOPO map computer programs ($99) that help you print your own small maps. Free Forest Service maps at Trail Heads have UTM Grid lines and give you important locations in UTM NAD27 coordinates. How do you use these maps and grids?

We will talk about how to use a simple base plate Compass, not to just point to North, but to plot a bearing back to car or camp using the compass on the map as a simple protractor.

A simple Garmin eTrex H GPS ($99) is just as accurate as a GPS costing $450. There are just five basic pages needed to find your way, to find a location on the map and to plot the way back along trails, traces and contours. Those participants who have a GPS will learn how to use these pages.

Our proprietary Power Point program covers all the interesting information. We will create a computer map for participants, on the screen with National Geographic’s TOPO. Then, with a five page workbook, we will work in pairs and threes on drills and real life situations. Handouts include an eleven page printed summary too. We provide the maps; use your compass and GPS or try ours.

Cost per student is a $35.00 fee benefiting the not for profit website www.TraditionalMountaineering.org.

Reserve your places! We may have a wait list!
We can accommodate 15 participants or so for this morning adventure. Reserve you places at Bend Map and Blueprint on Bond Street in downtown Bend. Call Bob at 541-385-0445 or send an email inquiry to info@TraditionalMountaineering.org.

Bend Map and Blue Print is sponsoring this Backcountry Navigation Class at the Environmental Center. They have a complete inventory of USGS Quad Maps, recommended baseplate compasses. and other good small map tools.

Seminar_Flyer_Navigation_0708.doc

Following are photos from last years navigation class

Copyright© 2006 by Robert Speik. All Rights Reserved

    WARNING - *DISCLAIMER!*
Mountain climbing has inherent dangers that can, only in part, be mitigated

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