Land Nav 101 Multi-Cache

A cache in The Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park, a 269 acre park maintained and operated by the city and county of Honolulu. This course will take you along 5 legs for a distance of about 1 km.

This cache is designed to teach the first step in dismounted land navigation: maneuvering along a pre-determined distance and direction using only a compass and a pace count.

To do this correctly you must know your pace count. Don't fret though! I have provided a means for you to find your pace count. But first, let me describe what the pace count is. A pace count is the number of regular steps it takes an individual to travel a set distance. In this case we will be using meters because it is easier to do the math. A pace count is unique to each individual and can vary depending on the terrain. The good thing here is that the terrain is all flat or gentle hills.

You will also need a compass set to magnetic north as all of the directions provided are magnetic north. A lensatic compass is preferred.

However a smart phone with a compass app will suffice if you can set it to magnetic north. If not, use the attached pic ("declination") to do the math yourself. To shoot an azimuth simply means to point your compass in the desired heading and choose an object along that heading to walk towards. While walking, keep track of your pace count.

To find your pace count begin at the start point (posted coords) marked with this pole. The GC marking may not be on there if they have recently painted; just line up with the next pic showing the pace count route.

Shoot an azimuth (direction) and follow a heading of 320°. This is the path:

Stop one step past the curb.

The distance traveled is 100 m. While walking naturally along this route, count every other step; i.e. every left foot strike. The total count at 100 m is your pace count. Now walk back to the start point to validate your pace count. Remember this number. If you have to travel 50 m simply half your total. Too easy, right?!

Now, from the start point you are ready and equipped to find the next stage. Follow an azimuth (direction) of 200° for 135 m to find your next set of directions. Remember, hills and sloped terrain can throw off both azimuth and pace count if you are not paying attention.

FTF Prize is a solar charger suitable for iphones, ipads, GPSr, Androids, etc.