Field Navigation II

INTRODUCTION
This week we used the navigation maps from the previous exercise and applied our pace count to find waypoints at The Priory.  This straight forward exercise presented challenges due to the weather, terrain and lack of navigation technology.

METHODS
Before going out into the field our professor provided a list of X and Y coordinates of the waypoints (Figure 1).  We used these coordinates to plot the points on our navigation map (Figure 2).  We then used a compass to note the angle of direction on our map (Figures 3 and 4).  This information would be used in the field to better navigate the waypoint courses.  We also measured the distance in meters from one waypoint to the next.

Figure 1-X and Y coordinates of waypoints provided by Joseph Hupy

Figure 2- Waypoints plotted on navigation map

Figure 3- Angle of direction from point to point applied to navigation map

Figure 4- Zac plotting the angle of direction between waypoints on navigation map

We started at point 1A.  This was next to the dumpsters at the Priory.  We used our compasses to find the correct angle of direction.  We sent one person out about 150 feet and aligned their position to the necessary angle (Destination).  One person stayed behind to make sure the angle of direction was followed (Angler).  The other person walked while using their pace count to the person who was aligned with the angle of direction (Runner).  We kept track of how many paces it took for the runner to reach the destination so we could determine how much further we had to travel to reach our waypoint.  We broke up the distance between two waypoints so we could send out the destination person to an area where they were still visible to make sure we kept the correct angle of direction.  This process was repeated over and over to navigate through the course.  Once we reached a way points, we punched a course card given to us by our professor with the stamp at each waypoint.

DISCUSSION
Our group worked together very well and we each took turns being the destination, angler and runner.  We found it was easier for Phil and Zac to be the destination because in some areas I was too short so I couldn't travel far while staying visible.  The pace count was difficult to use in this exercise because we measured our individual pace count on a flat surface with no obstacles before this exercise.  We found that our pace counts came up short for each waypoint.  To overcome this, we kept our angle of direction and followed that direction until we found our waypoint.

We had to travel over a large, steep hill between points 4A and 3A.  Because of this, it was impossible to use our pace count.  We had navigated to 3 points before this section, so we had a good idea of how far we had to travel.  We estimated the distance we needed to travel and kept a very close eye on our angle of direction.

Another obstacle of this activity was the height difference between my group members and I.  I am about 6 inches shorter than both Phil and Zac, so I struggled to keep up with them because the snow was so deep in some places.  My group members understood why I was lagging behind them, so they slowed down for me. It is important while working in the field to stay and work together as a group not only for safety reasons, but also for accurate navigation.  The activity was also more fun because of the atmosphere we created as a group.

CONCLUSION
We found each waypoint quite easily using a compass, navigation map and pace count. The next activity is to navigate through the courses again, but without a navigation map or compass.  We will use a Garmin E-Trex GPS unit to find the waypoints and will track our log to see how precisely we can follow the path to the waypoints.