After tracing out your route, pull the string straight and measure it against the scale line in the map legend. Another method is to use a compass (the mathematical kind) set to a narrow distance on ...

Your iPhone's compass is a feature you may not know about, but it can save your life. However, you'll need to calibrate it before tis first use.

These lines inside the compass housing help align the compass with the north on a map. The arrow in the center is the orienting arrow and will stand out in length from the other lines near it.

Here at The Manual, our number-one backpacking essential for every outdoor adventure is the humble map and compass. It’s no use just buying these items and stuffing them into your backpack.

There is simply no substitute for being prepared by bringing a map and compass. While compasses are an essential piece of gear for anyone going into the backcountry for safety reasons, they also play ...

A four-point compass can give a rough direction whereas a sixteen-point compass is much more precise. Map symbols show what can be found in an area. Each feature of the landscape has a different ...

A spade, a tape measure, a metal detector, and his son Ethan with his trusty compass. The map says to start at the old climbing tree and walk north for ten metres. It’s Ethan's job to find north ...