As the second part to last weeks lab group 6 was able to utilize the maps created to navigate through the heavily vegetated and steep topography to find five locations given out by Prof. J. Hupy. The tools provided to complete this lab included a GPS to locate markers and track the path taken, the maps from the previous lab, and a baseplate compass.
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| Figure 1: Baseplate compass (not exact one used) |
Study Area
- 2 November 2016 3-5pm
- Area surrounding the Priory Hall 1190 Priory Rd, Eau Claire, 54701
- Conditions: Partly Sunny Temp. 65F
Methods
After being assigned the points the groups split off to find their first location. To do this, a starting point and a bearing was needed. To get the bearing the baseplate compass needed to be used, and the most helpful trick with that was having red in the shed once the arrow pointed at the first location. Another trick with the compass is to make sure there is no metal around it which could affect the direction it is given off. Next, was to get a distance between each point. Group 6 also needed to make sure all of the points were accurately pinpointed on the map to make the bearing and distance as accurate as possible. This was to help measure out pacing to know how many steps to take between points when using the bearing.
Since there were only five sets of points and we were the sixth group we got stuck doing the course backwards starting at point 5. This was absolutely the hardest point for our group. This was the hardest to find due to being on the other side of a a large trench. which was very far off of the main path leading down into the area. Although, it was only really thick around the trench it was easy to navigate between the path and where it got thick due to being mostly trees.
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| Figure 2: First Location |
The next location for our group was actually not nearly as hard to find as we had the compass down and we knew exactly where we were. This involved a great trip back down into the trench to come up the other side. to find a pink flag around a tree.
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| Figure 3: The second location on the other side of the trench |
The third location was actually the easiest one to find as we had seen it earlier on the way to our first location. This one was right on the path and just a quick walk through the pine trees.
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| Figure 4: Location 3. |
The next location actually gave us a bit of a hike back to the dreaded trench. This time we were well prepared, except for the fact that we were too far east. after correcting our position we finally spotted the flag in the distance.
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| Figure 5: Fourth Location. |
With all the confidence built up after finding 4/5 points Group 6 was on a high to find the final point. This is when disaster struck. Our GPS died leaving us to fend for ourselves. This actually lead us up a unneeded hill to figure out we needed to be at a lower elevation. While getting back to the major path we headed back to the east. We spotted the flag and found our final point without having to use a GPS.
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| Figure 6: Final Location |
Discussion
This lab really brought out true wilderness skills of only having a compass a map and a GPS to guide. Having the track log brought up some great laughs to see how many times each group had to turn around or look around at an area to find the correct flag. My group only had a few hickups which was not actually using and of the pacing due to not remember to keep track after leaving a point and only following the bearing. This did not cause too many problems due to still heading in the correct direction and being able to check the GPS. In Figure 7 there are many paths that cross and a lot of places where there are clear turn around to get back on the path. In Figure 8, which is Group 6's path, there are a lot of dots that are seen right around the trench in the south eastern part of the map. This is generally were we got the most lost. There is also the path at the most north part of our tack record which is our group going a little too far north before realizing we needed to turn around to head south west to get to the first point.
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| Figure 7: Complete map that shows all of the groups paths taken. |
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| Figure 8: Complete map showing only Group 6 path taken. |
Conclusion
Overall this lab taught a few different things. First off it taught how important it is to make a navigational map that is in the correct coordinate system. This can be the different of a few meters off to miles off which can be a huge problem under time restrictions. Secondly, it taught how to use a baseplate compass while using a navigational map. Also, for my group it taught us how to not rely on the GPS because the batter could die for no reason at any moment in the field.
Sources:
http://www.mapworld.co.nz/comptype.html
USGS DEM to make Contour lines
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