Where did you say it was?

 

It does actually make sense to stop, review where you are and take in having checked your map, your next steps along the journey as apart from anything else sometimes paths can be overgrown in places so not immediately obvious you are still on it.

While out this week I overheard a part of a conversation which I feel is worth thinking about.

A person spent a good five minutes explaining how  it was they were unable to make a expected and arranged journey because of a combintion of poor mobile signal locally and issues with their internet saying they were unable to finding what the route was as they could not access a map.

This had consequences for them and that other person but a traditional paper map would of solved the problem!

Modern O.S. maps do have downloadable versions that you can load without needing the internet or good mobile coverage while a paper map is always there.

Setting your course

The traditional and still valid techniques involving map reading, establishing your direction and having done that plotting in which direction to be hiking to get to your destination being carried out 'in the field' by a scout troop.

This was  all stuff I did learn and use finding it be reliable with advantages of not having batteries going flat or the lack of a mobile phone signal which can occur.

Map reading in the field

Source: roverscout1love

Map reading in the field isn't so different than doing so in the scout hut or for that matter at school involving using the scale to ascertain distances, noting the six figure grid reference and notable features so you can be sure you are on the correct pathway.

The main challenge in the field is holding it and this Scout not being based in the UK has disadvantage as our Ordinance Survey maps used for scouting and hiking are designed to fold up neatly so while having a flat surface to rest it on is a help, you can use it without with just the sections you need on display.

It is also something I'm very good at.

Finding our way

Original source: redneckerchiefs

The seaside always was an attraction to me in my youth, something about the smell of salt water, the roar and crashing of waves and the wildlife around it always called me to it.

This also applied to camp like activities too of which there were a number I attended and took a full part in at the time and indeed even now I have the same feelings.

Here these scouts rather like us are pawing over their map, probably looking at the inset map of the area showing roads and features rather than the wider all area one of which ours were Ordnance Survey (O.S.) Maps which we had been trained to read and quote our locations by, looking for their next place to find and just maybe meet up with others at.

That kind of spirit is what comes flooding back to me.