by Jess Evans
November 20, 2018
Reading Squiggly Lines by Mark Lattanzi will give you a good basis for how to navigate. I learned to navigate many years prior to Mark’s helpful book. My first exposure to reading topographic maps and locating locations on the ground from a map came from taking several archaeology classes in college. Never did I dream that my archaeology skills would help me later in life. I should have known my skills were developed for a higher purpose.
Unfortunately, I am certain how I navigate is not the most efficient and effective way. I have been told that while navigating you should rotate your map so that the direction you are facing is at the top of the map. This just confuses me so much. I have to keep north at the top. Sometimes I need to rotate the map to try to match up features I see around me, but usually I imagine myself as a dot on the map moving along, sort of like how google maps works. I keep my directions straight only if north is at the top.
Staying connected to the map is further advice I try to adhere to. However, it is a hindrance rather than a help to some degree. I try to keep my eye on the map in relation to where I am following along as I move. I feel like I am checking the map every 5 seconds to keep my exact spot on the map which causes me to slow down significantly. I also feel I cannot see the map clearly if I am jogging. The map jiggles around too much, and I can’t focus on the lines.
I check my compass often too. While I have teammates to keep track of that for me, I feel like I need all the information all at once to keep my head in the right spot and not get completely confused as to where I am on the map. I am very fearful of losing my spot on the map. When I look at a map and am not sure where I am, the anxiety rises and I get flustered.
Pace counting is another technique I use when I am on foot. I measure the distance on the map and then pace count while keeping an eye on the compass and the map. Clearly I am moving way too slow. I suspect if I wanted to improve, I would take myself out into the woods with a map and practice memorizing the map, pace counting, and keeping an eye on the compass while going at a faster pace or jogging. I need to multi-task effectively!
The best thing about navigating is when I find myself again after being lost. The relief is overwhelming and the satisfaction at knowing I can actually do this navigating thing is quite amazing. I have plenty of room for improvement, and I know I need to practice more, but just maybe I will get better as I design/direct races and do more races.
