Join the Tahoe Rim Trail Association for a day in the classroom and field to learn basic map and compass skills in the winter. This course will teach you one of the most basic and essential outdoor skills- navigation without relying on a battery. Students can expect a morning in the classroom and then hitting the outdoors for hands-on practice. Objectives include map nomenclature and meaning of contour lines, compass basics, and orienteering to find one’s position with field practice.

Knowing how to use a map and compass will greatly reduce your chances of getting lost, especially in the winter when you can’t see the trail. Maps have stood the test of time and are still pertinent today. The Babylonians created and used one of the oldest surviving maps to this day, and the Chinese Han Dynasty used magnetic compasses as early as 206 BC. The birth of the smartphone and personal global positioning systems (GPS) have not outdated the centuries-old navigation skill by map and compass. The earth’s magnetic field will never run out of battery.

NEW! this year is a short introduction to modern navigation technologies like GPS, how to use your phone to navigate, some recommended favorite navigation Apps and programs, and more!