Trekking - Navigation

Navigation overview

As this is a particularly technical subject our aim here is to give you a brief overview of the subject of navigation. For a more technical view we will refer you to various publications and resources that specialise in the subject. These resources are best qualified to offer advice and instructions on the subject of navigation.

Navigation can be as simple a process as following a signpost on a tourist walking track. Or it can be as technical as establishing your exact position on the earth's surface based on calculations performed using a topographical map and compass. More recent instruments include GPS (Global Positioning Systems).

Other techniques that fall broadly under the heading of navigation include:

Orienting yourself by checking the position of celestial bodies i.e.; sun, moon, planets and stars.
Using a compass to find north.
Observing and remembering landmarks. For example, distinctively shaped hills or mountains, an unusual rocky outcrop, an oddly shaped tree trunk or branch. Even the most monotonous of landscapes will usually have something unique about them if you take the time to look for it. This is a practise that should become second nature to any outdoors person.
Using bright coloured tree markers to indicate the return route. This practise is popular amoung Australian bushwalkers.
More recently, compact digital cameras and camera phones are capable of 'remembering' subtle landmarks for you. Especially in areas that may not have many distinguishing features like bushland.
Following sketch maps. Although these are rarely drawn to scale they can at times provide a wealth of navigational information. A good sketch map will clearly show your intended route and will highlight any important features on the route that the trekker should look out for.
Following rock cairns: These are piles of rocks put in place by other trekkers to mark a negotiable route. They are usually put in place where the track is either non existent or not clearly identifiable. Although the size of these cairns can vary from country to country, the basic idea is the same. Simply follow from cairn to cairn until the track becomes clear enough again to follow on it's own.

Detailed information, tutorials and courses

To get detailed information and tutorials on the art of navigation we recommend the trekkers manual, Being Outside by Tim Macartney-Snape. This book has an indepth and easy to comprehend section on navigation.

For hands-on navigation experience in the field there are various organisations that run workshops and courses. These are run by qualified instructors who can give you the right advice and guidance.

One such organisation is The Australian School of Mountaineering based in Katoomba, NSW, Australia.

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