From: Greg Leuch (philmont@adventures.port5.com)
Date: Thu Jun 13 2002 - 15:47:34 CDT
I agree. This is what I did with my crew. In fact, I left my compass in my
pack most of the time. I would just assume where the sun is and orient
myself with the map. I would be about 30 sec to a min faster than my other
crew members in lining up the map. I showed them how to "guess and check".
We would determine where the sun was at during the time and day, and then
see how close we were. Usually off at the most by 10 degrees (not including
declination). But with good map, compass, and orietneering skills, it isn't
that hard to find your way using the sun, especially if you you are trying
to figure out left, right, or straight at the trail intersection! Good
advice Dr. Klein!
Greg Leuch
727-P1-00; 618-G1-01; Staff in '03?
Crew 35 - Chickasaw Council - Memphis, TN
Eagle Scout - 2001
http://adventures.port5.com
philmont@adventures.port5.com
aol/aim: philmontRedneck -or- Backpacker005
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dr. Bob Klein" <drbob@troop111.org>
To: "Multiple recipients of list philmont" <philmont@troop47.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2002 5:37 AM
Subject: [Philmont]: Compass Skills
> FWIW, I try to encourage my Scouts to go as compass free as possible
> during our treks, instead using the "sun and watch" technique, or just
> the general direction of the sun, to orient the Crew map. At least 90
> percent of the time, that is perfectly adequate.
>
> Why do this? Well, as I tell my guys, if you're ever in a true survival
> situation, like your helicopter went down in the Northwest Territories
> while you were scoping out your latest gold strike (you lucky dog, you),
> what are the chances you will have a compass (or GPS) in your pocket?
> On a far more mundane/pragmatic level, you'll know which direction
> you're heading while driving a car, or playing accidental tourist in DC
> or elsewhere, or in a hundred similar scenarios. In short, a very good
> skill to have.
>
> Try this exercise one time: On a clear mid-morning or mid-afternoon
> during one of your shakedowns, ask everyone in your Crew to mentally
> determine south by "what they see". Then have everyone close their
> eyes, and point where they think south is. Then open their eyes.
> Generally you will have arms pointing all around the compass rose.
>
> Then teach them how to find south by general sun direction, or sun and
> watch if you prefer, or both. Then repeat the above exercise 4 or 5
> more times during the rest of the weekend. You'll be amazed at the
> improvement. Repeat the exercise at the next shakedown, and they'll
> incorporate it as a permanent lifetime skill. That's in ADDITION to
> normal map and compass skills, not instead of. Give it a shot! (you can
> always whip out your $150 Suunto to prove you're right). :)
>
> - Dr. Bob
>
>
>
>
>
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> As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
> Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
> loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
> cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
> -------------------------------------------------------
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-------------------------------------------------------
As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
-------------------------------------------------------
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