SLEDsmart! USA Knowledge Base

To take a compass bearing using a map, you need to know two things:

• Where you are (Point ‘A’)
• Where you’re headed (Point 'B')

To get from Point ‘A’ to Point ‘B’, follow these steps:

STEP 1: Lay your map on a flat surface.

STEP 2: Line up the flat edge of your compass in a line between Point 'A' and Point 'B'. Make sure the direction of travel arrow is pointing in the direction you want to go.

STEP 3: Turn the compass housing so that the ‘N’ and the orienteering arrow are pointing to ‘true north’ (this is the top of the map). Make sure the orienteering lines are lined up with the ‘easting lines’ on the map (these are the vertical 'x' coordinate lines on your map).

STEP 4: Rotate the map and compass together until the magnetic needle lines up with the orienteering arrow.

STEP 5: Correct for east or west declination by rotating the housing to the left or right using the direction and number of degrees indicated on the map.

STEP 6: The location where the degree marking on the housing lines up with the direction of travel arrow is the bearing to your destination.