MAPS AND

HAVIGATION
TIPS AND TRICKS TO SURVIVE IN THE WILD
 ? Bear
Grylls
SURVIVAL SKILLS HANDBOOK

MAPS AND
NAVIGATION
* Bear
Grylls.
~ This survival handbook has been specially put
together to help young adventurers just like
_ you to stay safe in the wild. Learning essential
skills such as map reading and navigation will
allow you to truly experience the world around
you. Although it requires practice and practical
application, there is nothing like the sense of

5
achievement you will feel upon successfully
finding your way to your planned destination!
 CONTENTS
Starting your adventure

Maps

Magnetic Earth

Compasses

GPS

Other ways to navigate

Glossary
STARTING YOUR ADVENTURE
The world is full of exciting places to explore. In order to stay safe
on your travels you will need to learn the art of navigation and map
reading, like the adventurers of the past. As long as you have a map
and compass, and know how to use them, you need never get lost.
Remember, practice makes perfect!

Equipment
If you venture into the wild, make sure you have all the equipment you need so that you
can get from one place to another as quickly and easily as possible. The type of equip-
ment and the amount you need depends upon where you are going and for how long.
Here are some of the basics you will need when going walking.

thermal hat or sun hat,

depending on the weather
waterproof jacket in
case of rain

layers of clothing so you can

add more if it is cold, or take
rucksack some off if you are too warm

warm gloves

sensible trousers, such

as walking trousers

sensible footwear
such as walking boots
and thick socks
 % Bear
Grylls

Make sure you carry these essentials

in your rucksack or day bag.

first-aid kit

mobile phone

sunscreen and insect

camera
repellant

BEAR SAYS
Make sure someone knows your —
route and estimated arrival
emergency time before you set off so they
contact details _ canraise the alarm if you don’t
turn up when expected.
MAPS |
N ‘\

Map care
As you walk, you will need to look at your
map quite often to check you are on the right
track. Maps need to be folded carefully to
keep them in good condition so that they
stay useful.

A map case with a neck cord may be a good

idea, while some outdoor clothing has a
specially designed large map pocket — if
you are keeping the map in a bag, make sure
it is easily accessible when you are out.
Laminated maps can be useful if you are
likely to be outside in wet or windy weather
conditions. A spare may also be essential if
you are somewhere remote.

How to fold a map

1 Although it sounds easy, folding a map can be tricky. With your map spread
open, look at the creases — they should show the correct places to fold.
 % Bear
Grylls

2 Fold the map in half by bringing the

top edge to meet the bottom edge.

make sure the cover

is out to one side
3 Fold the map inwards, as though
it is an accordion.

4 Fold the map

BEAR SAYS
over so that the
cover is on top.
Some maps have
a third section Explorers should be good at
that needs to be drawing maps, so it is important
tucked in. to get lots of practice. You
never know when you might
need these skills!
Topographical maps
These maps show contour lines and landforms. They are useful because
they show how the ground is shaped. Every hiker should be able to “read”
the contour lines on the map’so that they can plan their route.

Contour lines
Each contour line on a map joins up points where the ground is the same height. Lines
close together mean that there is a steep slope, while lines that are far apart indicate
flat ground or a gentle slope.
 A Bear
Grylls

Choosing the best route

The best route to a destination may not be the most direct. Choose
a path that is safe — for example on footpaths — and stay away from
any hazards like cliffs and fast-moving water. Make it as simple as
possible so that it is easy to follow and make sure you have permission
to be on the land if it isn’t a public right of way.

Landmark spotting A
From your known start point, look for the
nearest and biggest landmark on your
map, such as a lake. Check the contour
BEAR SAYS
Understanding contour lines
lines in case it is hidden from view. If and being able to visualize
you don’t know where you are, mark any your environment from a map
notable landmarks around you on a piece _ isa great skill to have under
of paper and then see if you can match your belt.
them up to your map. The scale may be
tricky to guess but it is good start if you
are unsure of your location.

NORTH

WEST isva

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re oe
How to measure distance
Map measurers allow you to find the distances
between two points on a map. Route planning is an
important part of navigation, and knowing how far you
need to travel will help you work out your finish time —
and if you’ll arrive before dark!

needle

Analogue map reader

This tool uses a needle and
dial printed with different map
scales to show distance in
miles or kilometres.

Using your compass

As well as taking bearings
and helping you find north,
your orienteering compass
can help you find distances,
using the measurements on
the base plate.
 % Bear
Grylls

Digital map reader

With digital map reader wheels,
the user sets the unit, such as
kilometres, and the map scale. They
then run the tip of the reader along
the route to find the distance.

A
input
buttons

BEAR SAYS
Measuring distance accurately
will help you plan your
hike. Take the time to take
measurements before you
set off.

Using a piece of string

If you are without a device, you can place a piece of
string along your route, and then along the distance
scale on the map.

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Types of landscape
As you walk around the countryside you will notice that there are many
different types of landscape. Some are far easier to travel along than
others. These are some of the most common types.

Gentle slope
This slope decreases steadily in height
and makes for an easy climb.

—_—

Steep slope
Steep slopes are hard to trek up, due to the
sharp angle of the land.
 A Bear
Grylls

Concave slope
This kind of slope is steep at the top but less
so at the bottom, a little like the curve inside

BEAR SAYS
a bowl.

Make sure you avoid steep

climbs! A knowledge of contour |.
lines will help you pick the best
paths while navigating.

Convex slope
A rounded slope that goes
from less steep to steep.
 >»)
Cliff
A cliff is a very steep drop in the
landscape, often at coasts.

Gullies and spurs

Gullies are steep ravines found close to the
seashore, while spurs are the ridges of land that
slope down from the edge of a hill.
 A Bear
Grylls

Saddle

BEAR SAYS
The area between two connecting hills or
mountain peaks is called a saddle.

A landscape is made up of
different geographic features
that can be used make Lee
navigation much easier.

Valley
A valley is a low area of land found between
hills. Rivers are often found in valleys.
Symbols
Maps use symbols, lines, and colours to describe
what is on the land and make the map clearer.

Learn the pictures

If you look closely at a map
A Campsite

you can see it is covered in

symbols. It would be almost Motorway
impossible to write everything
out in words on a map — there
just isn’t enough space. A key
(or legend) explains what these Railway
symbols mean. The symbols
could be pictures, words, or
abbreviations. Railway station

River

Sch School
A symbol for Mars
Ordnance Survey is the national
mapping agency for Great
Britain and is one of the world’s Place of worship
largest producers of maps. The
symbols used on these maps are
easily recognizable and in May
2016 they held a competition to Post office

design a symbol for Mars as it

has been recently mapped.
 A Bear
Grylls

Scales
_ Maps are made to scale so that the distance between
landmarks and places in real lifeds shown accurately on
paper. It is very important that the map is correct, so that
features are where the map reader expects. Scale also helps
us to work out distances. Most maps have a scale written on
them (e.g. 1:50,000). This means that one centimetre on the
map represents 50,000 cm on the ground.

Small scale
The scale is shown visually on a map in both centimetres
and inches. In this example, this diagram shows a map witha
scale of 1:100,000. In this case every one centimetre on the
map is equal to one kilometre on the ground.

Ocm ti1cm 2cm 3cm 4cm 5cm 6cm 7cm &cm 9cm 10cm

Ookm 1km 2km 3km 4km 5Skm 6km Z7km 8km Q9km 10km

BEAR SAYS
Learning the symbols can take
time at first but they are quite
straightforward. Put the time
in to make sure you recognize
them now to make life
easier.
Coordinates
Coordinates can describe any location on Earth. Our planetis a
globe or sphere, and around it are a'set of imaginary rings drawn
from east to west and north to south. The lines running from the
top to the bottom ofthe globe are called lines of longitude, while
the lines running around it are called lines of latitude.

Lines of latitude
Latitude is measured in degrees north or south of the northern
equator (0—90°). The equator is an imaginary line that hemisphere
runs round the centre of the planet, and is itself a line of
latitude. It divides the Earth into two parts — the northern
and southern hemispheres.

Lines of longitude
Lines of longitude run around the Earth from north
to south. They are called meridians. Longitude is
measured in degrees east or west of the Greenwich
meridian (O-180°).

A~
BEAR SAYS
Using longitude and latitude
you can accurately describe any
location on Earth.
 7 fal={=Xelg
Grylls

Where do you live?

The coordinate system can be used to pinpoint anywhere on
the planet, and works in any language because it relies on
numbers. You can look up the latitude and longitude of where
you live on the internet.

NORTH

line of
longitude

prime
meridian

line of
latitude

Greenwich meridian
A prime meridian is a line of longitude
defined to be 0°. The modern prime
meridian is situated at Greenwich in
London, UK.

southern
hemisphere
From globe to map
Our planet is a sphere — but
maps are flat. In order to
create a map, cartographers
have to “project” the 3D
globe onto 2D paper by
squashing and stretching it.
Luckily, the changes made
to the globe are too small to
cause big problems on most
hiking maps.

cylindrical
projection

there are three . aa

main ways maps are
projected onto flat
paper
 7 Ga=X=Xe]g
leTavI

Grid references
Maps are often divided into squares called grids. These grids help to
pinpoint a location on the map quickly. The vertical lines crossing the map
‘from top to bottom are called “easting&s” because the numbers go up as you
move east across the map. The horizontal lines crossing the map from one
side to the other are called “northings” as the numbers increase as you get
further north.

when you give a grid reference

you always give the easting first.
The forest is in 4257
MAGNETIC EARTH
Our planet is one big magnet, which is very useful for navigation — just
as long as you have a map, a compass, and an understanding of how
magnetic north and true north differ.

Earth’s magnetic field

At Earth’s centre is liquid iron. This
metal core makes our planet into a
giant magnet, with a magnetic field that
changes over time. Because magnetic ,
north is not at the geographic North Pole,
you need to make special adjustments
when using a compass. This is known
as declination.

Earth's magnetic field

is strongest near the
North and South Poles.

peceeenass
 % Bear
Grylls

Which way is north? ‘ magnetic

When we talk about “true north” we mean North Pole
geographic
the top of Earth — the geographic North North Pole
Pole. Earth spins around, and if you imagine
it is spinning around a line that goes from
the top to the bottom of the planet, the
North Pole is the point at the very top,
and the South Pole is the point at the
very bottom. Magnetic north is different
as it responds to Earth’s changing
magnetic field, and doesn’t line up
with the same point.

geographic
Three norths South Pole
Good maps will have a key to
indicate grid, true (geographic),
and magnetic north.

true north
grid north *

magnetic north

BEAR SAYS
GPS systems are not affected
by the earth’s magnetic field,
so they can be a useful piece of
kit, especially in the far north.
COMPASSES
The compass was invented in China around a thousand years ago and
it is still used today by navigators needing to find their direction of
travel. It works using a tiny magnet controlled by Earth’s magnetic
field, which makes the compass point north.

Which compass should | use?

An orienteering compass is a great place to start. It has a transparent base
and is designed to be used with a topographical map. It is is a very useful
piece of kit and, with practice, is easy to use. No matter which way you turn,
the magnetic needle always points north, so you can discover which way is
north, east, south, and west.
scale

direction of
travel arrow

magnifier

scale

SO
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magentic needle
Sarena
orienting lines
 AK aX-telg
Grylls

Orient a map
To orient a map you need to align the’edge of your
compass with the north-south lines of your map.
Set the dial of your compass to north, then turn the
map and compass together until the north (red) end
of the compass needle is directly over the orienting uv
arrow. Your map is now correctly oriented.

/ when the map is

correctly oriented,
/ a line drawn from
your position on the
to true north map to a mapped
landmark will point to
the actual landmark

to true north
Take a bearing
The angle between north and an object is called a bearing.
They are measured in degrees, for example 45 degrees
(45°). Bearings are always measured clockwise — you start
facing north and turn to the right until you reach the angle
of the bearing. Then you should be facing your destination.
A bearing can also be known as a “magnetic” or “true”
bearing depending upon whether it is measured from true
north or magnetic north.
 AK Bear
Grylls

Try it yourself! ‘
These diagrams show a hiker walking in three
different directions. Can you work out his
bearing for each picture?

o06ZE OSC GL
SJOMSUY
Get your bearing head this way
1 First align the desired bearing
on the dial with the direction of
travel arrow.

2 Hold the compass in front of

you and turn your body until
the north end of the compass
needle is directly over the
orienting arrow.
 % Bear
Grylls

Taking a bearing from a map

Your map does not have to be oriented to take a bearing. Place the compass on
the map with the edge lined up against your desired line of travel. Rotate the
dial until the “N” is aligned with the top of the map and the orienting lines are
parallel with the north-south lines on the map. The bearing on the dial is the
bearing you should follow.
Bypassing objects
You can also use bearings to make
your way around obstacles. 4 \

turn north
turn west >

Basic bypass
This bypass involves three
90-degree turns with a fourth
to bring you back on track. For
accuracy, count your paces
when bypassing.

turn north

turn east |

45- and 90-degree bypass

This bypass involves just three
turns. Count your paces to ensure
that each length is of equal
distance.
 4 Bear
Grylls

Marker
Bypassing is easy if you can see
a feature beyond the obstacle
aligned with your bearing. In this
case, walk around the lake until
you reach the lone tree.

BEAR SAYS
Learning how to make bypasses
to avoid dangerous obstacles
can save precious time on a hike
that could be spent setting up
camp or preparing food.

Deliberate offset
Take a bearing left
or right of your
destination. That
way, when you hit a
“baseline”, such as a
road or river, you know
which way to turn.
aiming off
from target
Other types of compass
. ‘

Mirror sighting compass

This compass type is similar to
an orienteering compass with the
addition of a hinged mirror. This
allows you to sight your target and
your bearing at the same time.

BEAR SAYS
Trying out different compasses 2
is not only useful, but fun too. |
Each has its own benefits.
 AK e{-Xelg
(era

Lensatic compass
In situations when an exact reading is
required, a lensatic compass is best. They
are the favoured compass type for military
use. Many models have illuminated dial
markings so they can be used at night.

line up slit
with wire
 Thumb compass
These thumb-mounted
compasses are used in
orienteering.

Direct sighting
Look through the eyepiece
to get a bearing accurate to
within one degree.

BEAR SAYS
Some mobile phones even come
with a compass! You can’t rely
on the battery life though - so
they aren’t a replacement for
proper kit.
Button
A compass doesn’t have to be big to be
useful. Keep a little one in reserve.
 A Bear
Grylls

Make your own compass

These are some simple ways to make
your own magnetic device. f

Magnetize
To make a compass, first magnetize a
needle by stroking it in one direction
with a magnet. If you stroke towards
the point of your needle, the point will stroke
indicate north. direction

insulated wire

Battery method
Alternatively, you can magnetize a
needle by coiling some insulated
wire around it. Connect the wire toa
battery for five to ten minutes.

mug

Now you know

If you gently lower the needle into a
mug of water, surface tension should
keep it floating (a coating of natural oil
from your hair will help). The sharp end
will point towards magnetic north.
GPS
Hand-held GPS units area fantastic aidto navigation, and can be
the difference between life and death in extreme survival conditions.
However, they can’t replace maps — you should always carry a
compass and know how to use it in case your equipment fails.

The global positioning system

A GPS unit works by measuring its exact distance
from a minimum of three satellites in space. The point
at which the three signals intersect is shown witha
black dot below. This point represents the position of
the GPS unit on Earth.

satellite 2
satellite 1

each satellite gives out

a signal that reaches
a certain distance,
shown here as a circle
around each craft

satellite 3
 ? A Bear
Grylls

Go on a treasure hunt
If you like exploring, and havea
GPS device, you can join the many
4

A
BEAR SAYS
hundreds of people who enjoy
“geocaching”. This hobby involves
navigating toa set of coordinates
There are 24 satellites in space
and finding a container (the
that work together to make an
geocache) that has been hidden at
accurate view of Earth.
that particular spot.

Hand-held unit
A hand-held GPS unit will tell you
your location, speed, and approximate
altitude (height above sea or ground display
screen
level). It will also permit you to retrace
your path, guide you to specific
waypoints or landmarks, and will work
as a compass as long as you are moving
in one direction.
The more expensive
models come with built-in maps,
electronic compasses, and barometers
(devices that measure pressure in the
atmosphere).
buttons
OTHER WAYS TO NAVIGATE
Elen witholite Compeccitisporsislere cetera an
sun, moon, and stars can be signposts if you know how to read
them. There are also lots of clues in the living world that can help
you find your way.

Navigating the night sky

Looking up at the starry night sky is beautiful — and it can be useful
too. The North and South Celestial Poles are the points in the night
sky that appear to be directly overhead at all times. Finding these
points can help you find the right directions. To find the north polar
star (Polaris), first locate the pattern of stars known as the Plough
or Big Dipper (Ursa Major).To find the south polar star, first find the
constellation Crux.

CENTAURUS y CRUX
B Rigil x“ {

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“URSAMINOR oe. oe
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+ Celestial Pole.
; +

URSA MAJOR if -
the Plough or Big ' follow the dotted
Dipper i lines to find the
4 South Celestial Pole
om 2) Ono |

et
 % Bear
Grylls

Lunar method
Imagine a line connecting the “horns”,of the crescent Moon and project
it to the horizon. This point indicates approximate south in the northern
hemisphere or north in the southern hemisphere.

Northern hemisphere Southern hemisphere

Point the hour hand at the Sun. Divide Point the 12 mark at the Sun. Divide
the angle between the hour hand and the angle between the hour hand and
the 12 mark in half to find south. the 12 mark in half to find north.
Shadow tip method —
vertical stick
The shadow tip
method works in either
hemisphere and is most
accurate around noon. SSS +S

moving shadow

1 Firstly, place a stick vertically in the ground.

Mark the tip of the shadow made by the stick
with a pebble or another stick.
 7 fal={=Yolg
Grylls

- 2 Wait at least ten

minutes before A
marking the shadow’s
tip with a second
marker.
BEAR SAYS
You can always rely on
the movement of the sun
throughout the day to help
pinpoint different directions.

3 As the sun sets in the west the marks will

~ move east. Join the marks to create a line
_ that runs from west to east. Draw another
line straight through the east-west line at a
90-degree angle. This will indicate north.
Compass-free
map method
Align the features on a map with the A
BEAR SAYS
corresponding features in the landscape.
2
This will allow you to determine direction
and work out your position.
Using landmarks to pinpoint
your location is something you
can practise easily. Get a local
map and go ona walk witha
parent to give it a go.

point B on the map (a hill)

lines up with point B in
the landscape
point A (a church) on the
map lines up with point A
in the landscape

you are here

 A Bear
Grylls

Night star method

This simple method uses stars to
pinpoint your location. P

1 Set a long stick into the

the string is a virtual ground at a slight angle. Tie
shadow of the star's light a length of string to the end
of the stick. Lie on your back,
place the string by your
temple, and align it witha
well-known star.

2 Mark the star’s position on the ground

and then wait a while before marking it
for a second time. As with the shadow tip
method, the first mark will be west and
the second will be east.

mark the
position with
a stick
Signs in nature
Snow
Melted snow on
one side of a tree
will indicate south
Glacial boulders
in the northern
These large rocks sit on pedestals of ice
hemisphere.
that erode on the south side in the northern
hemisphere.

Green sign
~ Moss usually grows
better on the shady
side of a tree trunk —
that’s the north side
in the northern
hemisphere.

Magnetic
termites f >»). Traveller's palm
These Australian ie The leaves of
termites build their aa) j this palm forma
mounds aligned dramatic fan that
north-south to is usually aligned
minimize exposure east-west.
to the sun.

Nesting birds
If you are near water, look for
signs of breeding wildlife, e.g.
nests or frogspawn. Water birds,
fish, and frogs often breed on
the west side of a river or lake.
 % Bear
Grylls

Prevailing wind
The most common. wind direction that a location experiences is called the
prevailing wind. The place the wind has come from brings different types of
weather. The prevailing south-west wind in Britain, for example, is partly why
it often rains more than other countries.

Spider webs
Do you know which way the wind tends to blow?
Spiders do, and will orient their webs sideways to
the prevailing wind.

A
BEAR SAYS
When all else fails, turn to
_. nature for clues to your
surroundings.

Windswept trees are another good indicator

of prevailing winds, and will show you the
way if you know the local weather.
GLOSSARY — LY ‘

Analogue An analogue device usually has a needle or pointer (think about

clocks) and can show a continuously variable number.

Bearing A bearing is the angle measured between north and an

actual object.

Bypass A bypass is an alternative route around an object.

Compass An instrument used for finding your way, often alongside a map.

Concave Curving in or hollowed inward.

Contour A line that shows the 3D shape of something.

Convex A convex shape is curved or rounded outwards.

Coordinates A system that means every location on Earth

can be described by a set of numbers.

Digital A digital device usually has a computerized display.

Kilometre A unit of length equal to one thousand metres.

Landmark An object that is easily seen from a distance.

Orienteering A sport involving navigational skills using a map and compass.

 A Bear
Grylls

Prevailing wind The most frequent wind direction experienced at a

particular location.

Scale The relationship between the distance on a map to the corresponding

distance on the ground.

Symbol A picture, word, or abbreviation on a map.

Termite An insect that usually lives in a large group.

Topographical A topographical map shows the shape of the ground (e.g. flat
or hilly) using contour lines.
 Discover more amazing books in
the Bear Grylls series:

Perfect for young adventurers, the

Survival Skills series accompanies an
exciting range of colouring and activity
books. Curious kids can also learn
tips and tricks for almost any extreme
situation in Survival Camp, and explore
Earth in Extreme Planet.

Conceived by Weldon Owen, an imprint of Kings Road Pubishing,

in partnership with Bear Grylls Ventures

Produced by Weldon Owen, an imprint of Kings Road Publishing

Suite 3.08 The Plaza, 535 King’s Road,
London SW10 0SZ, UK

Copyright © 2017 Weldon Owen, an imprint of Kings Road Publishing

WELDON OWEN, AN IMPRINT OF KINGS ROAD PUBLISHING

Publisher Donna Gregory
Designer Shahid Mahmood
Editorial Claire Philip, Sophia Podini
Illustrators Peter Bull Studios (original illustrations),
Bernard Chau (colour)

10987654321
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
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except brief extracts for the purpose of review, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Disclaimer
Weldon Owen and Bear Grylls take pride in doing our best to get the facts right in putting together
the information in this book, but occasionally something slips past our beady eyes. Therefore we
make no warranties about the accuracy or completeness of the information in the book and to the
maximum extent permitted, we disclaim all liability. Wherever possible, we will endeavourto correct
any errors of fact at reprint.

Kids — if you want to try any of the activities in this book, please ask your parents first! Parents — all
outdoor activities carry some degree of risk and we recommend that anyone participating in these
activities be aware of the risks involved and seek professional instruction and guidance. None of the
health/medical information in this book is intended as a substitute for professional medical advice;
always seek the advice of a qualified practitioner.

A WELDON OWEN PRODUCTION. AN IMPRINT OF KINGS ROAD PUBLISHING.

PART OF THE BONNIER PUBLISHING GROUP.
 et.Bear
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Embark on an amazing adventure with Bear Grylls
to discover the skills you need to navigate
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Learn to use a compass, take a bearing, and find true
north using only the night sky
®
Includes step-by-step instructions and tips from Bear

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SBN 978-1-7834-2300-2

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