How to Use a Compass Rose

No matter how lost you get in the wilderness, you can still orient yourself using a map and a compass. The key to using the two together is by navigating according to the compass rose on the map. The compass rose displays the cardinal directions on a map, allowing you to know which direction you need to go in. A compass rose also enables you to navigate streets using cardinal directions.

Things You'll Need

• Compass

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Take your compass and turn it so that the needle aligns with the north orienting lines.

   • 2

     Turn your map so that the arrow designated as north on your compass rose points the same way as the needle.

   • 3

     Determine where you are or where you need to direct yourself, based on where you believe yourself to be on the map. Always keep the map properly oriented according to your compass when navigating from it.