4. Bearings

How to take a bearing

Step 1Find the two points on the map thatyou want to travel from and to. Lineup your compass edge between thetwo points, so that your direction-oftravelarrow is pointing to yourdestination.

Step 2Rotate the compass housing until theorienting lines in the centre arepointing to the top of your map.You can do this by lining them upparallel to the grid lines.Step 3Now rotate the dial until the northpointer lines up with the mark on thedial that joins the direction of travelarrow (this is called the index line).

Step 4Now read the bearing at the bottom of the direction-of-travel arrow, at theindex line. In our example, the bearing is 320°.You will need to take into account the difference between grid north (on yourmap) and magnetic north (on your compass). This is called magnetic variationand your map will tell you how many degrees to add to your bearing. This canvary depending on where you are in the country.

Step 5To head in the right direction, youmust now re-orientate your compass.This means turning the wholecompass around until the magneticnorth needle points in the samedirection as the orienting arrow.The way the direction-of-travel arrowis now pointing is the direction youmust walk in to get to yourdestination.To help you stay on track, it’simportant to take regular bearingsduring your journey. Being one degree

out at the start of your journey is not

too serious, but if you continue in the

wrong direction for too long, you will

end up far from where you want to be.

Wherever possible, try and divide your

journey up into short sections, taking

new bearings from the landmarks that

you pass on the way.