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.

Here at The Manual, our number-one backpacking essential for every outdoor adventure is the humble map and compass. It’s no ...

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 ...

Even with an endless list of navigational apps and gadgets, it’s best to be prepared with an old school compass. After all, apps can crash, phone batteries die, and service can get lost in remote ...