A relatively underappreciated yet important skill, i'm amazed by the amount of people who do not know how to effectively read a map and navigate. Having always been interested in maps, i can genuinely say this is something i know a bit about. Even from a young age i can remember car trips with my parents, on which i would sit in the back and just pour over the raggedy old melways. And while "smart phones" continue their gradual global take over, less and less people are going to be able to get from A to B when that last bar of battery finally dissapears. So here is a basic step by step guide on how to use a map to navigate from one place to another.....
1- Find Your Bearings
Cardinal direction, i.e North, South, East, West, is the first port of call when trying to navigate. These directions can be calculated anywhere on the earth, (if you have a general idea of the time) using good ol' Mr Sun. The exact practice of using the sun for direction varies slightly based on the hemisphere you inhabit. For the sake of our readers being mostly Australian i will instruct from a southern perspective. Using the following principles you should be able to determine your bearings:
-The sun rises in the east,
-It sets in the west.
-Moving east to west throughout the day it appears north at midday.
If you would like to be able to tell your position at night using the stars, please click here.
2- Identify Your Map
A common problem that a lot of people have when using map, is not knowing how to hold, adjust and follow it properly. The position of the map you are following is vital to arriving at your destination efficently. Firstly, locate your cardinal directions on the map, while most maps should be fitted with a "compass rose", you can always tell by the direction of the text. Furthermore make sure you have the right type of map, there are many different styles including the topographic, political and climate maps. Most commonly used for finding directions is the humble "road" variety. Once you have identified this as your map you can undertake the two steps required to follow it effectively...
-Hold the map so the road you are travelling on is always straight infront of you.
-When making turns, remember to adjust the map accordingly.
These steps assure that the turns you make on the map are the same you yourself are making. I.e. turning left is also turning left on your map!
3-Finding Your Route
We are now ready to find the best route. For the sake of arriving at your destination, it is always best to take the most direct route, using major roads*.
-Locate your position on the map.
-Find the closest major road, street, highway, freeway.
-Do the same with your destination.
Most major roads link up, and the longer the stretch of road, the less turns you will have to take. Making the navigational process a lot less confusing. If your destination is off a major road, perhaps on a side street, court or avenue, make sure you take notice of any other intersecting major roads or landmarks proceeding it. This will indicate when you are close by and reduce the chance of you passing by. Using these principles mark out the desired route on the map or in your mind (for those of you with a good memory). You are now ready to head out on your journey/exploration/conquest/sexual odyssey. Lastly though, here are some in-valuable tips before embarking...
4- Things To Remember
-Always have confidence in your judgement, once you start second guessing yourself thats when you end up in "shit creek".
-Make sure your map is up to date, new freeways and such are being built all the time. There may just be a quicker way!
-Keep a wrist watch or some time telling device with you. It's close to impossible to find your bearings without one.
-Chances are you will want to find your way back. Make sure you pay attention and take everything in. Not only will you remember your way next time, but you will enjoy the journey a whole lot more.
-If you do become lost or unsure, there is no shame in asking for directions and hell, it might make for a good story!
