MEC Backcountry 101 - Map & Compass Navigation Clinic

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Monday, March 23rd, 2015
5:30 PM to 6:30 PM

Join our camping specialists from 5:30pm - 6:30pm for a free one-hour clinic designed to introduce you to topographical maps, compasses and their use in backcountry navigation.

By the end of the session, participants will be familiar with topographic maps, the features that distinguish them from other types of maps and the reasons they are ideal for backcountry navigation, including:

- The following concepts/symbols on a topographic map:    
  Contour lines
  Basic color/terrain indicators
  Scale
  Declination
  Projection
  Latitude/Longitude grid
  UTM grid
 
- The features basic to all compasses, as well as additional features that may be desirable in a compass intended for backcountry navigation.
 
- The following concepts will be discussed in detail:
  Interpreting real-life terrain features from a topo map
  Setting declination on a compass and its importance
  Shooting a bearing from terrain
  Setting a bearing from a topo map
  Following a bearing
  Straight line navigation vs. hand railing vs. aiming off
 
- Be familiar with other navigation resources available at MEC, as well as any additional navigation programming offered.
 
We will provide all of the materials you need for this clinic. Come with your questions and a sense of adventure!

Please meet in the camping department, in the south end of our store.

Register in-store or online at http://events.mec.ca/