How to Go Anywhere (and Not Get Lost) A Guide to Navigation for Young Adventurers

Born to explore

Get outside with this interactive book that shows how explorers have found their way around the planet for thousands of years. Read about the ancient Polynesians who tracked the stars and waves to sail precise paths through the ocean. Or the Age of European Exploration navigators who use compasses and dead reckoning to reach the New World. And learn the science behind radar and modern-day GPS satellites. Then discover how to do it yourself! With illustrated activities as well as handy tips throughout, you’ll learn the fascinating history and seriously useful skills to become a true navigator.
Up your adventure game and learn to:
—Find north and south by reading the trees
—Make a simple compass
—Use the stars to tell time
—Build a basic sextant
—Get your bearings using the sun
—Go treasure hunting with GPS


 

Hans Aschim is a Brooklyn-based writer and communications consultant. He's traveled the world over writing for Outside, Vice Sports, Esquire, Men's Journal, and other publications, and mentors kids for the sports and outdoors nonprofit Stoked.

Table of Contents
 
Foreword
 
Introduction
 
Chapter 1: Look Up and Around: Early Navigators and Nature
Activities:
   Test your cognitive mapping skills
   Get to know directions
   Read the Trees
   Make Your Own Stick Chart
 
Chapter 2: Nature’s Map in the Sky: The Sun and Stars
Activities:
   Get Your Bearings Using the Sun
   Make Your Own Star Clock
   Make Your Own Basic Sextant
 
Chapter 3:  Beyond Direction: Distance and Dead Reckoning
Activities:
   Make Your Own Mini–Chip Log
   Clock Your Speed
   DIY Pace Count Beads
 
Chapter 4: Finding Longitude: High Tech Hits the High Seas
Activities:
   Track the Sun!
   Find Solar Noon (and your Longitude) Down to the Minute
 
Chapter 5: Points North: The Almighty Map and Compass
Activities:
   Make Your Own Simple Compass
   Measuring Magnetic Declination on Planet Orange
   Take a Bearing in the Wild
   Visualizing Magnetic Declination
   Triangulation: Take Time to Really Find Yourself
   Get the Bearing for Your Destination
 
Chapter 6: The Modern Navigator: Radio Waves From Sea to Space
Activities:
   Go Satellite-gazing
   Check (and Convert) Your Coordinates, Then Search for Cache
 
Further Reading