Measuring distance in dense brush

pict

pict

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Jan 7, 2003
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When traveling on open roads or trails I use pace counting to measure distance. What is the best way to measure distance in heavy brush where you are either cutting your way forward or have to take very erratic routes through thickets and obstacles?

So far my only solution has been to pick "landmarks" on my compass baring that are evenly spaced about 25 meters apart. After passing the 4th I pull a 100 meter bead. I find it is hard to keep track of them and be consistent as the terrain varies. Mac
 
Pace counting.

Make yourself a set of pace beads. Under various terrains and conditions measure out 100 meters piece of string. Count every time your left foot touches the ground at your average speed and gait until you go 100 meters. That number is now your pace for that scenario.

Memorize all the pace count numbers for different terrain and scenarios.

ONLY count forward momentum, if circling an obsticle only start counting on the reverse side of that obsticle and continue on.

I personally have 8 to 10 different paces memorized for all scenarios winter summer uphill downhill dense brush etc......

Its not 100% but its as close you will get to reality.

Skam
 
Skam,

In the really thick stuff down here there is no real pace. It's more like chop, chop, shove, chop...

Pace counting is a great system. Mac
 
Pict,

While it is harder to do in jungle I asure you pace counting is done in the jungle all the time. I did it during jungle training with the military.

It is done one forward pace at a time chop chop has nothing to do with it.

Just takes some practice.

Skam
 
Skam,

I'll give it a try next time I'm in jungle. We don't have true jungle here in Minas Gerais but the forests are very thick. If hacking is the standard then we do have "jungle".

I'm new to pace counting. I started using it this past year while in the States. I did a good bit of off trail navigation in the PA Applachians. The forest wasn't as thick as it is here but the ground was so rocky, uneven, and choked with downed trees that it was hard to count paces. I have the drill down for open road, trails and inclines but I haven't worked out my paces for heavy growth.

My problem is that often the best route to your next sighted landmark on the line of march is not in a straight line. How does that affect the pace count?

Where did you get to train in jungle? Mac
 
I'm not sure if it will help or not, but you can do what they call blocking. Basically you only use it when circumnavigating an obstacle i.e. a dense thicket or prominent terrain feature. You pick a landmark on the opposite side of the obstacle then turn 90 degrees and pace out until you have cleared the length of the obstacle (don't add this to your count). Then you turn 90 degrees back to your direction of travel resume your pace count. Once you've cleared the obstacle you halt your pace count again, make your way to the land mark and procede on your original azimuth w/ you pace count. It's probably a lot more simple to see than it is to understand my explanation ;) Most of you are probably familiar anyway.
 
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