Week 6: Navigation with Map and Compass

Introduction:
 Navigation is an overlooked concept these days, now we have smart phones with a map application that can tell us exactly where to go, where is the fun in that? The University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire Priory was the site for this week’s activity. We would be using the maps we made last week to navigate through the woods to 5 separate points. To begin we would have to learn how to use a compass and map as a method of navigation, after that it was out to the woods to get lost, whether it was literally or in the activity at hand.

Methods:
 Our class met at the UWEC Priory for the navigation activity. I sat with my two group members, Laurel and Phil, and we were each given a printed out copy of the double sided map we made in class the week before. Once the maps were in front of us, we were assigned six points to navigate to in the Priory that were arbitrarily placed by our professor Dr. Hupy we had the 6 points in Course #2. (see Figure 6-1) The objective was to start at the origin and navigate from one point to another using a compass, map and our walking pace.
 The first step in preparing for the navigation activity was to plot out the points provided to us on our maps. We used the UTM grid overlay to plot the points out; once that was done we used the compass to get the azimuth for each leg of our path. To help with finding the azimuth I drew a straight line from one point to the next and used the line as the path to calculate the azimuth. (see Figure 6-2) Our group double checked all the azimuths we measured and found them all to be quite similar, naturally there would be variability due to our individual plotting methods. We then measured the distance between each point to give our group a general idea of the number of paces to take before we would reach the point.
 With the points plotted our group was prepared to go and make our way through the unforgiving undergrowth of the Priory. When we stepped outside we had to pause and decide the proper way of navigating. Our group decided we would have one person stand at the origin point and get his/her azimuth in the proper direction, then send a group member to a temporary marker. We used either a tree or certain distance away which aligned with the proper azimuth. The third group member would then walk, while keeping track of their pace, directly from the origin to the temporary marker. Once the pace keeper reached the temporary marker we would complete the same process over and over again until we reached the destination point on the map. We deducted this method of navigating to do our best to ensure we were walking in a straight line. Once we paced far enough to know we were within 30 meters or so of the destination we would stop and see if we could see it. The destination points were numbered orange flags. To keep track of the flags we had a punch card and there was a puncher attached to each flag we found. As we found each flag we would punch the corresponding number. After we reached the first destination point we adjusted our compass to the proper azimuth and used the flag as the new origin and preformed our navigation method again to later arrive at the next flag. We used the same method for each leg of the navigation exercise and completed the course in due time. The snow was shaken off our boots, the compasses were turned in and we were done.

Discussion:
  At first I was skeptical of the navigation method we came up with as a group. I anticipated navigating very far off course and we would essentially get lost. I was very surprised when we found our first destination point, 6A, directly ahead of us on our first leg. Our pace count was far off what we expected, but the reasons why were very clear. We were ducking under and jumping over trees and bushes and at times had to deviate from our path a small amount to get around some obstructions, nonetheless we found the first destination point with ease. Navigating to the next point, 5A, was also a great success; we were right on course when we found it.
  The third point we had to travel to, 4A, was more of a challenge, it was the largest distance we had to navigate and there was a big problem on the way, a fenced off waste water area. (see Figure 6-2) Before we encountered the fenced off area our plan was to look across and try to find a locator across the way to use as a reference point so we could just walk around the fence and start navigating when we got to it. However the land inside the fence was elevated so we made a quick decision and I hopped the fence and stood atop the ridge and used me as our new reference point. Once atop the ridge I ran across the area, safely along the ridge separating the ponds, and once again stood in as a reference point. Unfortunately once we crossed the area we were thrown off a bit and finding the destination point became a game of hide and seek. As you can see best in Figure 6-3 the point 4A is on the slope, but not distinctly at the top or bottom. Unfortunately we ascended the hill looking for it and then later saw it was much further down the hill than we thought. We climbed that steep hill a few times too many through knee deep snow searching for the destination point. Once there we got back on track and navigated efficiently to the last two points. Unfortunately the tracks from previous groups gave us a path to the next points and spoiled the nature of the activity.

Conclusion:
  Overall I thought our group navigated very efficiently and enjoyed our time trudging through the snow. Once we had the hang of our navigation method it was easy to go about finding each point. Dr. Hupy tried to throw groups off by placing flags in close vicinity to each other, but our group found the right one each time. Next week I will be sure to bring warmer footwear, this week I wore old basketball shoes and a single pair of socks, a very poor choice. Somehow I did not anticipate untouched winter snow out in the woods, and my frozen feet taught me a good lesson. It was nice to stumble upon other group’s tracks at the end so I wasn’t trudging my own path any longer. Besides next week’s GPS usage at the Priory, I think an improvement to this lab would be to make each path the same distance and have groups race to finish. Otherwise I found this lab to be incredibly enjoyable, there is just something about being out with just a map and compass and no other technology to aid you in your navigation. Everybody should have a compass and know how to use it.