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

242 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

Reviews

[Xavier Patiño]

This was an excellent introduction to map reading and the use of a compass. You will learn how to read a topographic map -- contour lines, map scales, grids, and how to measure distances. With a compass, you'll learn all its parts and what they do and more importantly, how to use one with a map.

Magnetic declination and going around a large object (like a mountain or wide river) that's in the way of your destination is also covered. Both are super important to learn, so I was happy to see that. The book includes a topographical map of Putnam Station, NY, which you'll use for practice when taking bearings, triangulating your position, planning a hike by measuring distances, etc. I found this really useful.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys hiking or taking walks in nature. Nowadays everyone carries a phone with GPS location, which is great. But having a map and compass and knowing how to use them are invaluable. Think of these as additional tools in your toolkit!

Plus, maps are awesome, works of art really. The NY/NJ Trail Conference offers beautiful maps for anyone living in the northeast coast of the U.S. I love pulling one out and studying all the area's features -- lakes, rivers, mountains, hills, trails, caves, etc. So much to see and explore!

[Craig]

I do feel better prepared if ever lost enough to need map and compass. 50+ year old book.

[Charles Colbourn]

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]

Used while teaching myself navigation and orienteering. Great guide.

[Gwendolyn Caithness Cameron]

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

[Axel]

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]

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

[Scott Carpenter]

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

[Sumit Gouthaman]

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

[Jonathan]

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]

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

[Carl Nelson]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[London]

The Shelf: Accepted until further notice.

[Nancy]

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

[Todd]

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]

Two words: Be Prepared