Orienting a Map

When to use this

Any time you want the map to mean what your eyes see.

• Confirming your location at a trail junction
• Pre-hike planning at the trailhead
• Teaching map reading to kids

What you need

• Topo map
• Baseplate compass

Step by step

1. 1.Spread the map flat on the ground or a table. Cars and metal benches will throw your compass off — pick a clear spot.
2. 2.Place the compass on the map with the direction-of-travel arrow pointing toward the top of the map.
3. 3.Rotate the entire map (with the compass on it) until the magnetic needle’s red end aligns with the orienting arrow on the bezel — "red in the shed."
4. 4.The map is now oriented to magnetic north. Trails, ridges, and rivers on the map run the same direction they do in the world.
5. 5.Check by looking at a known landmark in front of you: it should be in the same direction on the map.
6. 6.For high-precision work, adjust for magnetic declination. Most maps print the local declination in the legend.

Pro tips

• Practice at the trailhead before you start hiking. The trailhead board is a free shape-recognition exercise.
• On rainy trips, slip the map in a gallon zip-lock. Wet topos shred.

Common mistakes

• Orienting a map by guessing — you can be 90° off and not realize it for an hour.
• Forgetting declination on long off-trail traverses. Small angle errors compound to big distance errors.