The simplest way of using a map to figure out where you are is simply to look at these contour lines to create a 3D image in your head, then compare that to what you see.

It’s time to go analog with your navigation tools. Using a map and compass is one of the most reliable foundational skills of the wilderness.

It's a shame how many people don't know how to use a compass, especially when the National Park Service lists it as a top 10 safety item. Here's how to get started. The post How to use a compass ...

Learn more on how to use a map and compass. Our team of experts prepared the guide on everything you need to know about using a map and compass.

Use the digital compass only for basic navigation assistance. Don't rely on it to determine precise location, proximity, distance, or direction." ...

This is why basic compass and map skills are so important. "Using a map with a compass is a skill that a lot of most people probably don't possess anymore," Bieri said.

Darran Wells lends his wisdom on navigating the wilderness without a GPS, from topographic maps to the North Star.

At the center of that push is land navigation, which tasks soldiers with plotting points on a map with a protractor and finding spots in the woods using a compass during both day and night.