Activity #12: Priory Navigation 1

Introduction

The weather finally warmed up a little bit, so our class was able to do the navigation exercise that we created maps for back in Activity #5. For this activity, we were given a list of coordinates (in decimal degrees), along with elevation for each point. Using this list, the maps we created, and a compass, we had to navigate to each point and collect punches as proof that we had actually been there.

Here is a link to the blog post where I created the navigation map, for anyone too lazy to look at the sidebar.

Our class was split up into teams of three (the same groups we have been a part of for most activities) to navigate the course. There were three different courses set up in the priory, and two groups on each course.

Figure 1 - Visualization of azimuth.

To navigate by map and compass, we need to find the azimuth from where we are to the point we are trying to get to. Azimuth is an angular measurement of where something is in relation to true north and the observer. For example, north is 0° (or 360°), south is 180°, east is 90°, etc (Figure 1).








Study Area

Figure 2 - Image of The Priory taken from Google Earth.

The Priory (Figure 2), is the site of a former monastery that UW-Eau Claire purchased in 2011. It is 112 acres of mostly wooded land just south of Eau Claire (Figure 3). The building complexes at The Priory are still used as child care facilities and a nature academy, while the surrounding woods are used for recreation and educational purposes such as this class.

Figure 3 - Location of The Priory, and extent of our study area.

The day that our class went to The Priory for this activity was the most beautiful day so far this year. Temperatures were in the high 60s/low 70s and sunny. There were fairly strong northerly winds that day, but that wasn't really an issue once we were in the woods. This was outstanding, considering that the majority of field exercises our class has done this semester involved cold and/or sloppy weather. The class that did this assignment last year had to use snowshoes, so we certainly lucked out by being able to do this on a day that felt like summer.

The woods around the Priory had pretty think underbrush in some areas, which did make hiking through difficult at times. I had jeans and boots on, but several people in the class that were wearing shorts and t-shirts (since it was so nice out) came out with plenty of little cuts and scrapes.


Equipment

Figure 4 - The navigation map I created using a 50 x 50 meter grid system.
This is the map we plotted points on, as it has no background image or color.
Both 2 ft and 5 ft contour lines are used so that terrain can be easily
identified.

Figure 5 - The second map that we had was created by another
group member, Jeremy Huhnstock. This map utilizes aerial imagery
as well as 5 ft contour lines. This was helpful for visually identifying
landmarks, should we wonder off course and need to get our bearings.

Figure 6 - This is the compass that we used to navigate from one point to the next,
in conjunction with the maps.

Methods

Figure 7 - Coordinates for each point from the three different
courses.

To begin the exercise, each group was given a list of locations (Figure 7) and told which course they would be navigating. In our case, this was course 1. Using the coordinates given (which included both UTM and lat/long for each point), we had to plot the points on our map before we could start.

Figure 8 - Parts of a navigation compass.

With the points plotted on the map, and the Start point known, we could begin navigation. To navigate to the first point, the edge of the compass must be lined up between the point you currently at and the point you are trying to get to. Then, the degree dial is turned until the orienting lines are parallel with the north/south lines of the grid on the map (Figure 8). Once these are parallel, the number on the degree dial that is matched up with the direction of travel arrow will be the azimuth (or bearing) to the next point. Hold the compass level in front of you (keeping it away from any metal) and turn until the magnetic needle is inside the orienting arrow (sometimes referred to as "putting red in the shed"). You will then be facing the direction where the next point is located. 

Using the scale bar on the map, you can also get an approximate distance in meters to the next point. Using a pace count, (again, check back to exercise #5 to learn more) you can estimate distance traveled. In my case, I had about 67 paces (counting every other step) in 100 meters. When hiking over rougher terrain, however, your pace count will always be a bit more than when on flat pavement. The approximate distance can still be estimated, though.

With three people in a group, one person navigated using the map and compass, one person was a runner and the third person used pace count to keep track of distance. Once the navigator found the direction to the next point, the runner would run ahead to some landmark that was directly between the navigator and the point. Then the pace counter would follow, keeping track of distance. Finally, the navigator would catch up and repeat the process until we reached the point. Jeremy was the pace counter, I was the runner, and Zach was the navigator for this exercise.

Here is a short video that shows the basics of compass navigation.

Our group started by plotting the points for course 1 (Figure 9) on our map (Figure 10). Then, using the navigation techniques outlined above, we found our way to the first marker (Figure 11). This first one was relatively easy, as it was right near a trail. At each marker, there was a hole-puncher that we used on a laminated card to show that we had been to that location (Figure 12).

Figure 9 - List of points. Our group did course 1, the first set of points on the list.

Figure 10 - Map with points plotted (they are difficult to see in this picture).

Figure 11 - Finding the bearing to the first point.

Figure 12 - Laminated card used to punch at each location. This is after the first marker.

The second marker was slightly more difficult. It wasn't actually that hard to locate, but it was at the bottom of a steep ravine. Figures 13-15 are pictures from the bottom of the ravine while our group and another group were there punching our card.

Figure 13 - Marker #2, at the base of a ravine.

Figure 14 - The same ravine, facing northwest.

Figure 15 - Another view of marker #2.

Once we plotted a path to point 3, we realized that if we followed a straight line we would have to go up the steepest part of the ravine and then through another ravine on the way (Figure 16). Instead, we decided to hike out of the ravine at the easiest spot, then bypass the second ravine all together (Figure 17). To do this, we hiked out of the ravine at the southeast end, found our bearings to the tip of the other ravine, then found the azimuth again from there to point 3.

Figure 16 - The straight line path from point 2 to point 3. Notice
the steep terrain along this line.

Figure 17 - The blue line shows the path we decided to take.
We headed southeast up the easier part of the ravine. Then
headed towards point 3 while avoiding the second ravine.

Figure 18 - The third marker we went to, which
turned out not to be on our course.

This tactic did work quite well at first. The other group that was doing the same course as us took the straight-line path, and we overtook them while they were around the second ravine. Once we got to the marker, punched our card, and continued on to the next point, we realized that we had gone to the wrong marker. We had stumbled onto marker #7 by accident, and thought it was ours (Figure 18). Luckily, Professor Hupy and Zach Hilgendorf (who helped set up the course) were walking around the woods helping people out and noticed that we were headed the wrong way. They told us the markers were actually numbered so we would know if we were at the correct point.







Once our group found the point 3, it was pretty smooth sailing from there. We did not run into any other problems. Some of the points were relatively close together, so it was good that we found out the number was actually written on them. Otherwise we may have went to the wrong marker again.

Discussion

Since the map used a 50m x 50m grid, we had to estimate to some extent when plotting points. When we would navigate to a plotted point, we would have to walk in circles for a bit until we found the marker. However, using a smaller grid size, like 25m x 25m, would have made the map more difficult to read. Navigation would have probably been more difficult.

I was glad that I went with the 2 ft contours as well as the 5 ft contour lines for the map. When we decided to take an easier route out of the ravine, it was easy to spot the second ravine and knew to avoid it before we got to it. Even without any aerial imagery on this map, it was easy to read the topography and plan accordingly. I only wish I would have labeled the contour lines more evenly so elevation could have been figured out quicker.

Though Jeremy was the pace counter and I was the runner, we both ended up basically doing both. When Zach found the azimuth, Jeremy and I would both go out and both count our steps. This worked well for two reasons. Every so often, one of us would lose count, so it was nice to have another person counting as well. Second, since the only real 'landmark' the navigator could call out was "That tree over there...no, to your right...farther right...nope, back the other way..." it helped having two people out there to be the runner. Instead of having a navigator, runner, and pace counter, I thought it worked much better having a navigator and two runner/counters.

Despite having to backtrack to point 3, we still ended up being the first group to finish. It wasn't a race, but it was nice to know that our strategy worked pretty well.

Conclusion

Even if navigating by map and compass is something I never do again (though, I plan to do it much more in the future), it is a skill that every geographer (and possibly everyone in general) should at least have an introduction to. Having done this exercise already, navigating The Priory again with a GPS will be a lot easier. Not only have we already been out there and are more familiar with the area, but we also have a good geospatial understanding of the forest. I would like to make a topographical navigation map for