The above co-ordinate will lead you to the parking/starting point of the cache. At this point you will have to look for your first clue. On the clue you will receive the first instruction. The instruction will consist of a bearing and a distance. Use the compass to lead you to the next clue.
Equipment
You will require an orienteering or mountaineering compass to complete this cache similar to the picture below.
The compass components.
The Compass
The basic parts of the compass consist of:
- A needle with a red (generally) arrow pointing North.
- The compass dial unit marked in degrees with an orienteering arrow or lines on.
- The base plate with a direction of travel arrow or line on.
Reading the compass
- Hold your compass steadily in your hand so that the base plate is level and the direction of travel arrow is pointing straight away from you.
- Hold it about halfway between your face and waist in a comfortable arm position with your elbow bent and compass held close to your stomach.
- Turn the dial so that North or the 0 degrees is directly in line with the direction of travel arrow.
- Look down at the compass and see where the needle points.
- Turn until the needle is in line with the orienteering arrow which will then point due North.
This compass is pointing due North (also 0 degrees).
- Turn your body while keeping the compass right in front of you.
- Notice that as the compass rotates, the needle stays pointing the same direction.
- Keep turning until the needle points East (90 degrees) like the picture below, keeping the direction of travel arrow and North mark facing straight in front of you.
This compass is pointing East (90 degrees).
- Important: This is a very common mistake! The compass needle is pointing towards East so I must be pointing East, right? No, no, no!
To find my direction, you must turn the compass dial until the North mark and the orienteering arrow or lines are lined up with the North (red) end of the compass needle. Then I can read the heading or bearing that is in line with direction of travel arrow or line.
Now we know we are really heading West (270 degrees).
Bearing
The bearing to a point is an angle measured in degrees in a clockwise direction from the North line. In this cache you will be provided with a bearing which will indicate the direction you have to navigate in. For example, if your receive a bearing in the clue of 250 degrees 90 meters, you will have to turn the compass dial unit 250 degrees is directly in line with the direction of travel arrow. Align the North point of the compass needle with the orienteering arrow or lines and follow the directional arrow. You are now ready to walk in the direction of the given bearing for 90 meters.
Compass set to a bearing of 250 degrees.
Compass reading tips
- Hold the compass level - if the compass is tilted, the needle will touch the clear lid and not move correctly.
- Read the correct end of the needle.
- Make sure the North (red) end of the compass needle is lined up with the orienteering arrow or lines.
- Keep the compass away from metal objects - even a knife, flashlight, or keychain can cause a false reading if too close to the compass.
Note : If electronic devices are used please make sure that it is set to magnetic north. No allowance was made for magnetic declination when setting up this cache.
Good Luck!
FTF Honors goes to - jakl+hide
Web References:
- www.mathsteacher.com.au/year7/ch08_angles/07_bear/bearing.htm
- www.compassdude.com/compass-reading.shtml