Quote:
"I carry one but generally only use it to align my map correctly"

I'm with Rick on this one, with the caveat that I only even do that infrequently.

To be clear, I assume you're talking about "how do I normally use it", and in my case at least, in the context of someone who mostly hikes on established trails.

Versus: "what scenarios exist that might make me glad that I have it, and/or that I learned specific ways of using it". Certainly such scenarios can be imagined, and once in a great while actually occur.

I've helped teach a local navigation class, and I think that whoever designed the class was focused more on folks doing off-trail travel, or that they never really thought it through. Because most of what we spent our time on is stuff that I almost never do in real life. And as a result, IMO they spent too little time on the stuff that actually helps to keep you "found". Pet peeve I guess.
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Brian Lewis
http://postholer.com/brianle