Be Expert with Map and Compass: The Complete Orienteering Handbook

by Björn Kjellström

"Required reading for the beginner in map and compass work, as well as for those interested in serious Orienteering. In simple, clear, concise terms the basics of map and compass work are described and illustrated."
— George T. Hamilton, Appalachia This new, enlarged edition of Be Expert with Map & Compass includes everything the beginner needs to know about the increasingly popular sport of understanding map symbols; traveling by map alone, by compass alone, or by map and compass together; finding bearings; sketching maps; and traveling in the wilderness. Other updated sections cover competitive Orienteering, how to join an Orienteering event or organize your own, and useful hints for competitive and wilderness Orienteering. In addition to the revisions throughout, the author has interspersed the text with reminiscences of his more than fifty years of experience with map and compass. Drawing crowds of 25,000 participants at international events, the sport of Orienteering is more popular than ever. The Orienteering world championships were held in the United States for the first time in 1993. For Orienteers and scouts, avid outdoorspeople, and anyone who wants to feel more comfortable in the wilderness, this updated guide is an indispensable reference.

Genres: Outdoors, Nonfiction, Travel, Reference, Survival, Nature, Adventure

242 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

Reviews

[Charles Colbourn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful and concise history and detailed guidance for sport orienteering. Not particularly useful for map reading/navigation skills outside the USA as all the examples are US maps in imperial measurements.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Used while teaching myself navigation and orienteering. Great guide.

[Gwendolyn Caithness Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Direct, easy to read; everything about this book is calm, clear and concise.

[Axel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an easy to read book yet has all the essential principles for map and compass. I like it as an intro to orienteering or survey of using the map.

[Jordan Balsamo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must for any woodman. The land orienteers best resource.

[Scott Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading I feel super confident with maps and compasses. All the practice activities helped.

[Sumit Gouthaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did not end up reading the whole things cover-to-cover. But it was a fun read.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stuff here to understand the basic use of map and compass, even before getting into orienteering. Strongly recommended for scouting. Scouts could build youth-led meetings from this.

[L.B. Sedlacek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative. A great way to learn a lifelong skill you may need one day.

[Carl Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The classic orienteering guide, with lots of useful info on maps and compasses. Emphasis is placed on real-world applications, with lots of exercises for practice (including answers). The second half of the book is more geared towards those looking to compete in orienteering events (for which the author regularly opines his deeply abiding love), and thus isn't essential for mastery of map and compass, but I know of no better manual for navigational skills for hikers, hunters, fishermen, and outdoorsmen. While the cover says that the new edition contains GPS information, it's largely limited to stating that batteries may run out or signal may be lost so one should learn the compass skills as the foundation for GPS skills.

[Jerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read and solid introduction. After participating in an adventure race, certain subjects add depth to the experience, especially the chapter near the end, "Hints on Competitive Orienteering." For example, certain key definitions stand out, such as "handrails" (long features that run parallel to your path) and "catching features" (which cross your path). Next time, it would be fun to attempt pace counting on the tricky controls. Plus, establishing attack points prior to the race start be ideal, should time allow.

[Cenken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oryanitiringin tarihi ve gelişimini, bu sporu icat edenin kaleminden öğrenmek istiyorsanız doğru yerdesiniz. Hatta yazar, bu sporda kullanılan pusulanın da mucidi. Sadece bir pusula ve harita yaşam tarzımızı değiştirebilir mi? Sadece bireysel değil, aile, arkadaş ve klüpler ile yapılabilecek bir spor veya eğlence aktivitesi. Bir aktivite aynı anda, doğa yürüyüşü, piknik, kampçılık, balıkçılık ve hatta kayak sporlarıyla iç içe geçebilir mi? Kitapta harita kullanma, yön bulma ile ilgili birçok oyunun nasıl yapılacağı da açıklanmış.

[James Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not into Orienteering so it was the first 142 pages that I particularly found useful. Everyone who goes into the wilderness should have basic navigation skills using a map and compass and their brain. This book goes into detail explaining the basic skills and knowledge needed. It also has activities you can do to sharpen your skills or teach others. Navigation in the outdoors is fun and can be life saving. Too many people, I think, nowadays rely on electronic devices like GPS that may not work in some areas and will also fail when the batteries are drained.

[Kerry Pickens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is small book about how to use an orienteering compass. It is used as part of the training for Search and Rescue teams, and it is helpful to anyone who is starting out spending time in the great outdoors. You can use the book to find your way on trails, lakes, rivers, and mark locations that you wish to return like your favorite spot to camp or fish.

[Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brings me back to my boy scout days. I am presently into Geocaching

[London · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shelf: Accepted until further notice.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book to use for an AHG activity on pacing and mapping an outdoor area.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neat and highly polished guide book. Has a practice map and compass with practicing protractor.

1955!

[Michael Grobelch]

Basics of using a map & compass to navigate in the wilderness. Excellent for teching the basics.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two words: Be Prepared