Hiking backpacks should contain all the essentials to make a hiking trip safe.
Check the usual list of essentials and you will notice these are the same things like food, clothing, water, flashlight, matches, map, compass, first aid kit, pocket knife, sunscreen lotion, insect repellent, etc.
Now go through the list again and notice if there is anything in there which might pose a problem.
For first time hikers or backpackers I am sure that you will be unanimous in saying, it's the compass.
Here is the basic about compass: Cardinal, Intercardinal and Secondary Intercardinal Points North, south, east and west are the cardinal points.
The direction, or point, that is in between two cardinal points are called intercardinal points.
You will see these markings as NE (NorthEast), SE (SouthEast), SW (SouthWest) and NW (NorthWest).
And then finally, the direction halfway between every cardinal and intercardinal point is called secondary intercardinal point.
These are called and marked as North-NorthEast, East-NorthEast, and so on.
Degrees Breaking down specific locations in half according to cardinal, intercardinal and secondary intercardinal points over and over can be very confusing.
So compass reading is also using measurements in degrees to be more precise in interpreting location.
You will notice these markings in your compass from 00 up to probably 3500, depending on the make.
A full circle is 3600 but there is no need to put 00 and 3600 in the same point as it is already understood.
There are compasses with needles in two colors, one is always red and the other half maybe white, silver or black.
The red always points to the Earth's magnetic North.
This does not mean that the red pointer is always on the N.
To understand better, do this exercise.
Hold the compass steadily and see where the arrow is pointing.
Whichever part of the compass it is, that is the Northern direction.
Continue holding it steadily and turn your body around, notice that seemingly the compass body is rotating with you while red pointer stays in its position.
Hopefully, this exercise has more or less made you understand that the red arrow is constantly pointing north.
Here is how you can be directed by your compass easily.
At this point, be mindful of the direction-of-travel arrow and the compass housing that can be rotated.
Again, hold the compass steadily and position the direction-of-travel arrow pointing straight away from you.
Let us say you want to go NorthWest.
Turn the housing until NW is aligned with the direction-of-travel arrow, and then rotate your body until the red arrow is pointed to the N mark.
Once this is done, you are now assured that you are facing and walking towards the NW direction.
Isn't it comforting to know that you have all the essentials in your hiking backpacks and you actually know how to use all of them?
Check the usual list of essentials and you will notice these are the same things like food, clothing, water, flashlight, matches, map, compass, first aid kit, pocket knife, sunscreen lotion, insect repellent, etc.
Now go through the list again and notice if there is anything in there which might pose a problem.
For first time hikers or backpackers I am sure that you will be unanimous in saying, it's the compass.
Here is the basic about compass: Cardinal, Intercardinal and Secondary Intercardinal Points North, south, east and west are the cardinal points.
The direction, or point, that is in between two cardinal points are called intercardinal points.
You will see these markings as NE (NorthEast), SE (SouthEast), SW (SouthWest) and NW (NorthWest).
And then finally, the direction halfway between every cardinal and intercardinal point is called secondary intercardinal point.
These are called and marked as North-NorthEast, East-NorthEast, and so on.
Degrees Breaking down specific locations in half according to cardinal, intercardinal and secondary intercardinal points over and over can be very confusing.
So compass reading is also using measurements in degrees to be more precise in interpreting location.
You will notice these markings in your compass from 00 up to probably 3500, depending on the make.
A full circle is 3600 but there is no need to put 00 and 3600 in the same point as it is already understood.
There are compasses with needles in two colors, one is always red and the other half maybe white, silver or black.
The red always points to the Earth's magnetic North.
This does not mean that the red pointer is always on the N.
To understand better, do this exercise.
Hold the compass steadily and see where the arrow is pointing.
Whichever part of the compass it is, that is the Northern direction.
Continue holding it steadily and turn your body around, notice that seemingly the compass body is rotating with you while red pointer stays in its position.
Hopefully, this exercise has more or less made you understand that the red arrow is constantly pointing north.
Here is how you can be directed by your compass easily.
At this point, be mindful of the direction-of-travel arrow and the compass housing that can be rotated.
Again, hold the compass steadily and position the direction-of-travel arrow pointing straight away from you.
Let us say you want to go NorthWest.
Turn the housing until NW is aligned with the direction-of-travel arrow, and then rotate your body until the red arrow is pointed to the N mark.
Once this is done, you are now assured that you are facing and walking towards the NW direction.
Isn't it comforting to know that you have all the essentials in your hiking backpacks and you actually know how to use all of them?
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