Map Skills

A compass without a map for reference is only half the challenge. Keeping a detailed map in your side pocket and knowing how to read it correctly will complete your wilderness navigation toolkit.

As kids, my friends and I hid treasure in the woods and then made maps and used compasses to find it. It was great fun to walk to the big apple tree, walk 50 steps east, then 125 steps south to the big rock, then 25 steps west and look for an X on the ground. Of course, we need a bit more detail than that out in the real world, but much of the skills are the same.

Map reading is a satisfying experience. When you use your imagination to picture what the map is representing, the mountains and rivers can come alive even before you actually walk them. Once you understand a compass and can read a map, you can then use a map and compass together efficiently.

These map information pages include:

• Read a Map - a picture worth 1,000 words
• Map Scales - it doesn't look that far on the map
• Map Symbols - see what's blue, brown, green, and red
• Topo Maps - what are all those lines for?
• Contour Map Quiz - check your topo reading skills

Why did the polar bear go to the south pole?   To visit his Aunt Arctica!

Search Google News for more 'Lost Hiker' news items.

09 Sep 2026 - Columbia firefighters rescue lost hiker at Congaree National Park

09 Sep 2026 - Lost hiker rescued in Congaree National Park

08 Sep 2026 - Search On For Missing Hiker And Dog In Wyoming’s Wind River Mountains

09 Sep 2026 - Distressed Hiker Rescued From Trail In Stafford

07 Sep 2026 - Hiker using Google Maps to navigate gets stuck all night in NC gorge, rescuers say

08 Sep 2026 - Royal Oak man is missing at Isle Royale National Park

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