Mountaineering Scotland - Stuart Johnston Mountaineering

Tiso Knowledge Exchange

Altimeter tips

• When walking on a bearing in the mist or darkness check your altitude over distance and pacing it’s another useful tool to pinpoint exactly where you are
• When using the technique known as slope aspect/determining position when attained a 90 degree angle between the edge of your compass and a contour line you may get several contour positions due to the slope being uniform, use your altimeter to ascertain which contour line you are positioned at
• 99% of the earth’s surface covered by the new, free to download global digital elevation map from www.asterweb.jpl.nasa.gov

Navigation tips

• Compasses can be very tricky to hold still on a plastic or laminated map. Place an elastic band around the compass base plate next to the housing, you will find the compass much easier to keep in position as the band will grip the slippery surface
• Map setting – drop your compass on to your map and orientate your map grid to magnetic grid north on the compass. This technique is quick and simple to use especially good for map setting in poor visibility
• The most important navigation equipment for all mountain trips are; map, map case, compass with a base plate, watch with altimeter, a head torch, pacing and timing aide memoire card and knowledge, (it’s very easy to attain and very light to carry around with you!)
• For winter navigation we highly recommend taking with you double lens snow goggles, if you can’t see where you’re going you can’t navigate