Navigation and Map Skills

Map and compass skills

• Types of maps and when to use them (1:25,000 and

1:50,000)

• Map features and grid references, direction and

contours

• Scale and distance, measuring distance

• Setting a map and using a compass

Route planning

• Direction, Distance and time

• Description of route legs linking two places from the

map.

• How to write a route card

• Producing route cards for your practice expedition

Bronze Award Training

There are TWO types of map you will use

1:50,000• Used to plan routes• Shows a large area

1:25,000• Used while walking• Much more detailed

(eg. field boundaries)

Features on OS Maps to know 1:50,000 1:25,000

Footpath, bridlepath

Roads

Stream/river

Phonebox

Pub

Woodland

Church

Tracks

Railways (cuttings and embankments) Bridges

Grid References and Direction• Eastings and Northings • (E comes before N) “Along the corridor and up

the stairs”• You must give SIX FIGURE references for

checkpoints and know where you are by grid reference at all times !! (Compass roamer)

Going from north to south, what the 6-figure grid references for the 4 circled

points ?

What direction are you travelling from 1 2 3 4 ? 131819

114817

134814

107805

West

East

South West

At this stage you only need vague directions of

the 8 cardinal/ intercardnal points but

16 is better !!

Contours ! • The closer together the steeper it is (up or down) !!• Numbers on contour lines show height above sea level (how you know if its up

or down)

1

2

3

Can you spot…. • Where is the big hill ?• Where is there a long steep ridge

or valley?• Why don’t you know if it’s a ridge

of a valley?• Find…

– A pub– A campsite– A car park– An area of woodland– A phonebox– A railway– A cutting – An embankment – A bridge– An A-road– A stream– A river

Scale and Distance • A square on both kinds

of map is 1km• String is excellent for

measuring distance• How far is the route

shown in red?

Start Destination (and Grid Ref) : Main road in Castleton 155813

Grid Reference & Description

Direction (compass point/bearing)

Height (+/-m)

Distance (km)

Time (mins)

Written description of leg

163814 Phonebox E 1 20 Follow the main road to the phonebox in Hope

168821 End of track

NE 1 20 Take the track north and continue onto the path bearing NE for 500m until the end of a track

159826 Below Losehill Fm

NW 1.25 25 Take the footpath northwest uphill until you reach a T-junction of footpaths

168825 Road E 1 20 Take the right path for 200m and go east downhill to join a track to follow SE to the road

172828 Fulwood Fm

NE 0.5 10 Take the track slightly north up the road and follow it over a railway to Fulwood farm.

174822 Cemetery SE 0.75 15 Follow the path almost south for 400m and slightly downhill past two buildings on the left to reach the cemetery 100m after the second building.

TOTALS 5.5 110

GROUP: 4

Day/date: Saturday 25/4/15

Estimated Arrival Time: 11:50am

Departure Time: 10:00am

Bronze Practice

Actual Arrival Time: Will you match it on the real thing???? You cant

do the red bits now

Top tips

• Write in the start location and grid reference

(from above)

• Split the route into sections (legs)

• Write in the end of Leg 1’s destination and grid

reference

• Write the direction travelled from the start

location to the end of Leg 1 (eg. NW)

• Use string to measure the distance and write

that in (eg. 2.5)

• Work out the time it will take (20 mins per

kilometre, so 50 for 2.5km)

• Write a written description of the leg.

• REPEAT THIS FOR ALL OF THE LEGS

• Total up the distances and times (in minutes)

• Enter the start time and work out the finish

time – write that in too!

Top tips for speedy route card production1. Write your group number and day

number (1 or 2), day (Sat or Sun) and date (eg. 25/4/15) in the top right box.

2. Write in the start location and grid reference in the top box

3. Split the route into sections (legs)4. Write in the end of each Legs

destination and grid reference5. Write the direction travelled for each

leg in the next columns (eg. NW)6. Use string to measure the distance and

write that in for each leg (eg. 2.5)7. Work out the time it will take for each

leg (20 mins per kilometre, so 50 for 2.5km)

8. Write a written description of the legs.9. Total up the distances and times (in

minutes)10. Enter the start time and work out the

finish time – write that in too!

Top tips for speedy route card production1. Write your group number and day

number (1 or 2), day (Sat or Sun) and date (eg. 25/4/15) in the top right box.

2. Write in the start location and grid reference in the top box

3. Split the route into sections (legs)4. Write in the end of each Legs

destination and grid reference5. Write the direction travelled for each

leg in the next columns (eg. NW)6. Use string to measure the distance and

write that in for each leg (eg. 2.5)7. Work out the time it will take for each

leg (20 mins per kilometre, so 50 for 2.5km)

8. Write a written description of the legs.9. Total up the distances and times (in

minutes)10. Enter the start time and work out the

finish time – write that in too!