Compass help?

[desdemona]

Hi,

As I have said I am a newbie day hiker. I got a little REI compass (actually has whistle, magnifier, and other useful widgets even if compass proves worthless). But I can't say I know what to do with them. I obviously need instruction. (It woulda been handy last week!).

Anyway, I am wondering what book, CD/DVD (might be esp. nice) to splain how to use this. You'd think being a girl scout for years woulda helped some. :-)
Also need help with hiker's maps.

I just found a NM group that might do classes though I didn't see anything like that on home page.

Thanks,

--des

[bdavison]

Learning navigation by compass and map is an important skill to have. It will allow you go hike in many places that dont have trails or in areas that arent regularly hiked, and keep you on the trail in areas that do.

Take a good orienteering class, and learn how to do it correctly.

[SierraMadres]

Here ya go, basic, but good learning tools. Brum

http://www.thecompassstore.com/howtousemapa.html
http://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Compass
http://www.buckskin.org/Resources/Outdoor/compass1.htm