Article: For most maps that you'll use, you only need to do a few things to travel. Locate your position on the map currently by identifying landmarks that you can see and landmarks on the map, and then anticipating your next movements based on those indicators. Using a map involves keeping your head up and looking around just as much as it does reading the lines on the page. For example, if you can see on a sign that you're 20 miles from Westville, locate Westville on your map and you'll have a rough idea of where you are. If you don't know what direction you're traveling, look at the cities on either side of Westville and pay attention to which one you pass first, so you'll know which direction you're coming from. If you're using a trail guide or a hiking map, use intersections to get a sense of where you are. If you come to a trailhead of "West Loop Trail" and "Smith Trail," find that intersection point on the map and then you'll know where you are. Orient yourself to the map by looking at the direction each trail heads out from your position and choosing your route according to where you want to go. You can also use a map to plot your route ahead of time and, if your plan is detailed enough, you can keep the map in the glove box. If you need to drive to the airport, you can plot your route and write it out, turn by turn, and keep it on the steering wheel for quick access. . More complicated maps generally require the use of a compass to orient yourself properly and understand how to position yourself in relation to the coordinates you find. If you're lost, or you're trying to find your way from one point on a map to another, you need to either find a landmark physically and orient yourself accordingly, use a compass, or use a GPS. If you've got a GPS, you can also use topographical maps to plot a general route based on your precise coordinates. Use the longitude and latitude markers on the map to try to figure out where you are, read the terrain, and then plot a course to get where you're going. Even if you have a GPS, it's still much easier to use a compass to quickly and effective gauge where you are in relation to the direction you're traveling. You can easily stay on course by using a compass. If you know where you are and need to find out how to get where you want to go, lay your map out flat and place your compass on it, so the orienting arrow of the compass points to true north. Slide your compass so the edge of the edge passes through your current position, with the orienting arrow pointing due north. Draw a line along the compass edge, through your current position. If you maintain this bearing, your path from your current position will be along the line you just drew on your map. If you're not sure which direction to travel and need to find out, start with the map flat and your compass on it. Draw a line between your current position and where you'd like to go, then rotate the degree dial so the orienting arrow points north. This should align the compass orienting lines with the map's north-south markers. To travel, hold the compass before you horizontally with the direction of travel arrow pointing away from you. You'll use this arrow to guide your travel. Turn your body so the north end of the magnetic needle is aligned with the orienting needle, and you'll be pointed in the right direction. If you don't know where you are and you're not sure where you need to go to get where you're going, you can figure the general area that you're in by learning to triangulate positioning. This is one of the most essential map skills in survival training. To triangulate your position, start by finding three landmarks on the map that you can see physically. Aim your direction of travel arrow at one of the landmarks, then orient the compass and the map according to the readings. Take your coordinates to transpose them onto your map, drawing three lines along the flat of the compass plate. This should create a triangle, in which should be your current position. It won't be perfect, but you'll be in the ballpark.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Identify key features both on the map and in front of you. Learn to use a compass with topographical maps Transpose your direction of travel onto the map. Learn to take bearings. Learn to triangulate your position, when lost.