Taking Good Care of Your Compass

Check out my latest post on Seattlebackpackersmagazine.com about taking care of your magnetic compass. 

 

If a hiker is willing to spend hundreds of dollars on a pair of boots why not spend a bit more for a decent magnetic compass; it can make a huge difference.

 

The hiker arrived at the trailhead and was getting ready to start out on his journey. He powered up the GPS to mark his location.  He also brought out the magnetic compass to double check his heading and first bearing. Strangely, he knew he was heading in an easterly direction, he was after all, pointing straight down the trail and the trail tracked 090°, due east. But after aligning the magnetic compass, the compass heading was 13° off.  The hiker correctly held up his movement until he could resolve the issue.

 

To read the rest of the post go here.

For more information about measuring a magnetic compass bearing check out this post.