What is the best way to learn wilderness navigation?

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What is the best way to learn compass and map skills? Can I teach myself or should I sign up for a class? My local REI offers a class, but I'm not sure how useful it will be.

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Join the Army and take land navigation. They will pay you while you learn.

I would say take the class if you have absolutely no experience using a compass and map-

but that will only do so much.

you have to get out there and do it, a lot, to master it.

Taking a class will at the least teach you how to properly read the maps. My dad taught me when I was young. Now I carry a GPS for the most part, and leave the maps and compass in the bag in case the GPS craps out.

ETA: I'm too lazy to do any real backpacking. So, I'm primarily talking about day hikes for myself.

Its not a job, its an adventure.

Get a map. Figure out where north is. Should get you in and out of everywhere.

Get a Silva Ranger
Get a map with known distances
When you get to a point, aim the compass down a known bearing, preferably perpendicular to where you're walking. Turn the wheel thing towards the direction you want to walk....ah frick it, it's easier for someone to show you

Figure out a set pace, meaning number of steps, for a certain distance, say 100ft. Count it off and go

I always have 2 compasses. Just in case one breaks

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REI class is a good start I would think. Here in Atlanta, there is a guy who does weekend navigation and survival courses for like 150 bucks in the N. Georgia mountains. Doing something like that and practice would be a good combo.

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This sounds interesting, I may have to look into this. On a side note, do you do any fishing around this concrete jungle?

Just take off runnin thru the woods and hope for the best. Every hundred yards or so urinate on a bush to mark your territory

Most of us learned by starting out in a known area to someone we hunted with (dad) and expanding from there. If your that uncomfortable start out with a friend or in a well marked area with maps. Venture off the trial some. I don't use a compass properly, but I use it to maintain a set course from a known area like a trail or road and to head back the opposite direction. Use the sun to your advantage too on days it can be seen. It won't take long before it's second nature.