- Joined
- Dec 11, 2006
- Messages
- 1,659
As most of you know, I am a land nav geek 
I just love the topic. I have considered myself a student of this topic since a little guy, going into the woods with my dad.
When I joined a local outdoor group last year, I thought it would be fun to take their Land Navigation Class. Turns out, they liked me I was asked to take over the class. So, I helped teach it once last spring and this Fall was my official take over of the class as the lead instructor.
The class consists of two "classes" through the week, and then a full weekend of field work (called the practical). We conduct the practical at Waterloo Recreation Area out of the Burns Rustic Cabins.
I had 5 instructors help me throughout the course. Three others were there for every class and the weekend practical. Two others popped in to help with specific section. This would be a big class to try and even think about alone. I love my instructors!
I did not take any pictures of the classroom, but figured I would share with you what I have.
The first class is all about the compass. The second class is all about maps, and begins the visualization of contour lines. The rest hopefully I will explain in pictures.
First, we re-cap the compass. Point bearings and face bearings in the little yard around the cabin.
There a couple exercises to help with this.
Then, we go on and split the group into 4 stations.
One station gets to visualize contours by making them out of play dough
Another station gets to visualize contours on a flat map against a 3D model.
The third station learns a bit about different map scales. Pic is a bit far away to really see what they are doing.
My station learned about shaded topo maps, and more about contour intervals.
Enough playing, it was time to hit the field.
The plan was to do a terrain hike and point out features on the map to the real world. This is where it really begins clicking for a lot of folks. First, they wanted to do a group shot.
To Be Continued......
I just love the topic. I have considered myself a student of this topic since a little guy, going into the woods with my dad.When I joined a local outdoor group last year, I thought it would be fun to take their Land Navigation Class. Turns out, they liked me
I was asked to take over the class. So, I helped teach it once last spring and this Fall was my official take over of the class as the lead instructor. The class consists of two "classes" through the week, and then a full weekend of field work (called the practical). We conduct the practical at Waterloo Recreation Area out of the Burns Rustic Cabins.
I had 5 instructors help me throughout the course. Three others were there for every class and the weekend practical. Two others popped in to help with specific section. This would be a big class to try and even think about alone. I love my instructors!
I did not take any pictures of the classroom, but figured I would share with you what I have.
The first class is all about the compass. The second class is all about maps, and begins the visualization of contour lines. The rest hopefully I will explain in pictures.
First, we re-cap the compass. Point bearings and face bearings in the little yard around the cabin.
There a couple exercises to help with this.
Then, we go on and split the group into 4 stations.
One station gets to visualize contours by making them out of play dough
Another station gets to visualize contours on a flat map against a 3D model.
The third station learns a bit about different map scales. Pic is a bit far away to really see what they are doing.
My station learned about shaded topo maps, and more about contour intervals.
Enough playing, it was time to hit the field.
The plan was to do a terrain hike and point out features on the map to the real world. This is where it really begins clicking for a lot of folks. First, they wanted to do a group shot.
To Be Continued......
I wish a class like that was offered close by- my map/compass skills have gotten a little rusty
