Compass Basics

When to use this

Every wilderness trip. Practice in the yard before you need it.

• Navigating off-trail
• Backup when GPS fails
• A practical skill kids can practice

What you need

• Baseplate compass with rotating bezel
• A landmark to aim at

Step by step

1. 1.Hold the compass flat in your palm at chest height, with the direction-of-travel arrow pointing forward.
2. 2.Wait for the magnetic needle to settle — usually 5–10 seconds.
3. 3.Rotate the bezel until the orienting arrow (the outline inside the housing) lines up under the magnetic needle. The red end of the needle should sit inside the red orienting arrow — "red in the shed."
4. 4.Read the bearing in degrees off the bezel where the direction-of-travel arrow points.
5. 5.To walk a bearing: pick a tree or rock in line with your direction-of-travel arrow, walk to it, then re-aim.
6. 6.Re-check the compass every few minutes. Small drifts add up over distance.

Pro tips

• Steel watches, phones, knives, and car bodies all deflect a compass. Hold it well clear of metal.
• Practice this in a flat field with three landmarks before trying it in real woods.

Common mistakes

• Reading the wrong end of the needle. The red end always points magnetic north.
• Forgetting to wait for the needle to settle — moving readings are wrong readings.