Interested in improving your navigation skills? Join Backpacker’s Backcountry Navigation online course today. The difference between true north (how your map is oriented) and magnetic north (where ...

Sure, not all who wander are lost. But when you've been walking in circles for hours and your day hike is stretching into an overnight, that saying is cold comfort. The solution? Don't get lost in the ...

Circular contours usually indicate high points. They may encompass many miles (ranges) or small areas (summits). Also, look for an “X” or precise elevation marking prominent peaks. Use features like ...

Researchers recently showed that migratory reed warblers depend on an internal geomagnetic map to guide them on their long-distance journeys. But it wasn't clear how the birds were solving the ...