Staying Found--A Book Review

For those who take the "adventure" part of The Adventure Radio Society seriously, the preceding scenario isn't unthinkable. After all, who among us hasn't hiked just a little bit further into the woods than planned searching for a better spot to set up?

Learning to navigate in the great outdoors is much easier than trying to start a signal fire by rubbing two sticks together. If you would like to discover how to keep from getting lost, you need a copy of the book, Staying Found - The Complete Map & Compass Handbook.

As the title suggests, the book introduces the reader to the art and sport of orienteering. The author, June Fleming, defines the purpose of the book as ".....the desire to show hikers, backpackers and other outdoor roamers how to make practical use of map and compass in their travels." She achieves her goal using simple, easy to understand language coupled with numerous pictures, drawings and diagrams.

A quick glance at the table of contents demonstrates how well organized the book is. Chapter 2 talks about the tools of wilderness travel. Here is where you learn what equipment you need and why. Chapters 3 describes how to read and use a topographical map. Chapter 4 delves into the mysteries of the base-plate compass. Chapter 5 shows how to account for magnetic declination to keep you on course in different parts of the country. There are other chapters dealing with route finding on snow, teaching kids how to stay found and even Global Positioning Systems.

One of the most fascinating parts of the book is titled, "Looking to Nature." Here the author shows how to use a common analog wristwatch to determine compass directions. Turn the page and learn how to figure how many minutes of daylight remain by measuring the distance between the sun and horizon using the fingers on your hand as a ruler. This chapter alone is a perfect kid-magnet.

If you don't buy this book for safety reasons, buy it for the pure joy of learning a new skill. It's a rare combination of practical information and fun reading.

Staying Found is published by The Mountaineers in Seattle, Washington. The cover price is $12.95 but it is moderately discounted at amazon.com as well as other on-line book sellers.

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Bill Jones, KD7S, is a technical editor for The ARS Sojourner, an avid builder and outdoorsman living in Sanger, CA.