In a previous post, I discussed the basic principles of folding, orienting and thumbing a map. Here is an easy and fun exercise for practicing those skills.
One of my go-to moves on short time is to pull up Google Maps, zoom down to an area I want to work in, screenshot and print on a standard sheet of printer paper. It doesn't have to be pretty, just something good enough to see the features you'll be looking for.
Once you have a map to work with, spend a few minutes finding 10 - 12 interesting features and circle them with a pen. Features for this type of training should be big and obvious. An intersection of two roads, the end of a fence line, the corner of a wooded area.
With map at the ready, head out to your course. Fold the map so that at least the start position and first feature are visible. Hold your map horizontally (parallel to the ground) and orient your map using the features around you (N on paper points to N in real world). Place your thumb on the map at your current location and begin your movement. Update your thumb position frequently. I use roughly 100m as a maximum distance to travel before updating my thumb position when traveling on foot. When training, I try to do it more frequently just to form the habit, walking my thumb across the map. Refold the map whenever necessary and be sure to always keep it oriented to your surroundings.
There are endless possibilities for modifying this exercise. Have fun with it!
Note: Below is a map of a recent navigation practice session. This took less than 5 minutes at the computer including printing and I was out the door for an hour of bliss scampering around on a powerline trail and in a local neighborhood.
Feature based navigation, no compass work.
Workout Focus: Folding, Thumbing and Orienting map. Also observing world then matching to map.
Start Time: 21:00
Duration: 57 mins
Distance Covered: 3.24 mi
Weather: 25 degrees F / -3.9 C, Clear Skies
Notes: 30lb pack, stamped through a couple of puddles and set out.
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