Map, Compass and GPS Navigation Workshop - Sept 24-25, 2010

Fred Touche, the author of the book Wilderness Navigation Handbook has partnered up with BCMC to offer a navigation workshop followed by a weekend session to practice the skills in the field.

The lecture will be held on Friday, Sept 24 at 6:30pm at the ANZA Club on W 8th Avenue in Vancouver (corner of Ontario St and 8th Avenue).

Using GPS software as well as hands-on exercises with a topo map, Fred will demonstrate the use of compass and GPS and general concepts of navigation and coordinate systems. The participants of the workshop will get a good overview of topics such as:

• Geographic coordinate system
• Map projections
• UTM grid
• Map datums
• Calculating slopes from topographic maps
• Earth’s magnetic field
• How a compass works
• Bearings
• Magnetic declination
• Magnetic dip
• How the GPS works
• Differential GPS
• Causes of GPS position errors
• How to use a GPS receiver in the wilderness.

This workshop will be at a moderately advanced level and is aimed at students who are already somewhat familiar with map and compass navigation.

The participants are asked to bring a notepad, pencil, eraser, a topo map (any topographic map with interval lines will do), compass, GPS unit (if you have one).

Entry fee is $5 - payable at the door.

While the workshop is open to general public, you will be asked to sign a waiver if you are not a BCMC member.

TO REGISTER FOR THE WORKSHOP, contact Fred Touche