DiscoverPrimitive Camping & BushcraftTrusting the Compass When the Woods Get Thick
Trusting the Compass When the Woods Get Thick

Trusting the Compass When the Woods Get Thick

Update: 2025-11-21
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Description

In this Fundamental Friday, Chris takes a baseplate compass and a USGS topo map into the Mississippi woods and walks a full mile to test how accurate a simple bearing can be in real terrain. You’ll hear how the compass works, how contour lines tell the truth about the land, how to judge distance, and why old tools still matter when batteries fail.
Referenced links
USGS Topo Maps
https://www.usgs.gov/products/maps/topographic-maps
Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Book
https://www.primitive-camping.com/product-page/primitive-camping-bushcraft
how to use a compass article: How to Use a Compass: The Ultimate Guide to Navigation


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Trusting the Compass When the Woods Get Thick

Trusting the Compass When the Woods Get Thick

Chris Speir