Navigation Aids
Getting there and back ... safely
Navigation is of paramount importance to the wilderness traveler! You must become intimately familar with a variety of navigation tools before you venture into the wilderness. The basic "must have" navigation tools include:
- Topographical Maps at the 1:50,000 scale. Maps at the 1:250,000 scale are great for inital route planning but should not be relied upon when paddling. Topographical maps of Canada can be purchased from the following company:
Pathfinder Maps 112 John Cavanaugh Road, Carp Ontario KOA 1L0, 1-888-447-4745
- A Lensatic Compass. The compass should have a sighting eyepiece that allows you to shoot a specific azimuth at a distant point.
- Plastic Protractors (at least three)
Additional navigation tools could include:
- An Altimeter/Barometer. These devices not only tell you you altitude above sea level, they can also help to indicate weather changes that could place you and your team at risk. They are nice to have items, but canoeing expeditions can be safetly completed without them.
- A Global Positioning System (GPS). Fellow paddlers and I have completed five long-distance canoeing expeditions without the aid of this device. There is no question that you should take every precaution necessary to prevent getting lost. If you can become familar with the use of these devices before your next expedition, it would be wise to include a GPS in your navigation tool bag. But remember, a GPS is not meant to replace a map and compass. It should only be used as a back-up navigation system. Most GPS units, in addition to pinpointing and tracking your location, also perform altimeter and barometer functions.