Micro Navigation - what is it and how to use it.

Unlike conventional navigation, which tends to focus on broader routes or long-term orientation, micro navigation zooms in on the minutiae of movement, demanding a nuanced approach that encompasses a multitude of techniques and capabilities.
Micro Navigation simply very accurate navigation over short distances.
It isn’t a single technique; it is combination of many other navigation skills all applied at the same time over a short distance. It's not just about following a single technique or relying on one skill but rather it is a fusion of each of your navigational abilities.
At its essence, micro navigation is not bound by a singular methodology or tool but rather thrives on the synergy of different navigational proficiencies seamlessly integrated into a cohesive strategy. It's the art of harmonizing diverse skills, each contributing a unique facet to the overall navigation process. Here's a deeper exploration of the components that constitute micro navigation:
Map Interpretation: While traditional navigation may involve glancing at a map for general direction, micro navigation delves deeper into deciphering intricate details on the map, such as contour lines, landmarks, and precise coordinates, to chart a meticulously planned course over a short span.
Compass Precision: While a compass serves as a fundamental tool in navigation, micro navigation elevates its usage to a fine-tuned instrument for maintaining precise headings, compensating for magnetic declination, and navigating through confined spaces where directional accuracy is paramount.
Pacing Estimation: Micro navigation relies on the ability to gauge distances with remarkable accuracy through methods like pacing, where each step is measured and calculated to determine exact distances travelled, essential for navigating tight spaces or dense terrain.
Environmental Awareness: Micro navigation entails a heightened sensitivity to environmental cues and subtle changes in the surroundings, allowing navigators to anticipate obstacles, identify key waypoints, and adjust their trajectory accordingly in real-time.
Risk Assessment and Decision Making: In micro navigation, the ability to make rapid yet informed decisions based on evolving conditions is crucial. Navigators must constantly assess risks, evaluate alternative routes, and choose the most viable course of action to ensure safe and efficient progress.
Terrain Adaptation: Micro navigation demands adaptability to varying terrains, whether it be negotiating dense forests, traversing rocky terrain, or navigating urban landscapes. Navigators must adeptly adjust their techniques and strategies to suit the specific challenges posed by each environment.
Integration of Technology: While traditional navigation may rely solely on manual tools and techniques, micro navigation often incorporates modern technologies such as GPS devices, digital maps, and navigation apps to enhance precision, provide real-time data, and augment traditional methods.
Micro navigation, therefore, transcends the confines of any single technique or skill, encompassing a holistic approach that integrates the diverse facets of navigation into a seamless whole. It's the culmination of expertise, adaptability, and acute spatial awareness, enabling navigators to navigate with unparalleled precision and confidence over short distances, no matter the complexity of the terrain or the challenges encountered along the way.

[@donloughrey1615]

Great stuff !! I prospect for gold in the Mohave Desert and this knowledge is gold. As GPS was just getting started one of my companions laughed at my 'old technology' when I took a bearing before hiking to a claim marker (a 4x4 post) a couple of miles away. A little while later he was cursing his new GPS device not having a signal. The compass got us to within 50 feet, without batteries.Since GPS has improved I do use it for convenience now but I always have a backup compass in my pack and still have to use it sometimes. Plus it is very satisfying to use. Thanks for your videos, I find that at 72 yrs old I am still learning. Thanks again👍

[@01cthompson]

Good points. I agree with your advice to sit down until daybreak if you get lost in the dark.

[@davidyendoll5903]

Liked this detail , thanks . We really need to know where we are once we are away from roads and other people . As a young teenager I remember a Duke of Edinburgh team , from my school , getting lost on the Brecon Beacons south of Cribyn . Light rain meant bad vision and then darkness fell . I knew the lads well enough to know they all could map read and use a compass . They had presumed they were exactly where they thought they were and to be fair if they had made an error the chances were that it would have become obvious quite quickly ! But they made a mistake , tired as they were , that was not realized before their vision was reduced drastically by the rain . In the end , having walked about in confusion for ages until darkness fell , they decided to pitch their tents in the best location they could . In the morning they were wet and cold , but they could now see where they were again . I was out and about searching for them already at sun rise !

[@PhilWaud]

Every time I go out now, I try to practice some of the skills that you have been showing us. I dont think I was a bad map reader before but I can relate the map with what is in front of me so much better now. Thank you, and for taking the time to make these videos.

[@Juanlu.]

Un vídeo muy interesante. Estos vídeos con técnicas de orientación aplicadas en escenarios y situaciones concretas son los que más enseñan. Gracias desde España.

[@tomconway8881]

Another good video. Clear and concise.

[@STAMPBAS]

Greetings from GREECE . you are amazing. Thanks for the tutorials and tips!🙏

[@clivedunning4317]

Another great video. Love the way you explain things and your sense of humour.

[@insoleandlaces]

Navigating to a kink in a contour line really makes you aware of your surroundings and with gps it easy to confirm.

[@andydawson5587]

Another excellent video!

[@wpherigo1]

Another great video. Thanks!

[@Sandra-dt4ec]

Brilliant, thank you!

[@oladapoking6447]

Brilliant video my good friend. Thanks for sharing. I subscribed to your channel a few weeks ago, as I'm quite new to this. Looking forward to seeing more videos from ya. Have a good mate👍

[@CAA8148]

Thank you!

[@leegosling]

Out in the Moelwyns at night in a blizzard in winter looking for a casualty, or carrying them off, you can be using micro Nav techniques for sustained periods. As you can be out on the cairngorm plateau in a whiteout.

[@TheMapReadingCompany]

Good point Lee - is that Millstones Edge ?

[@woudt61]

Thank you

[@mikeoglen6848]

That was Quite Interesting.

[@ihcfn]

Hi, could you please do a video on features on an OS map because as someone new to this that crag just looks like a squiggle to me. Apologies if you have already done this, could you point me to a video if you have already done this. Cheers, keep up the good work.

[@causewaykayak]

You make getting lost sound like a fun activity. Always a super video although I did miss the free history talk on this one. The opening scene, first still landscape photograph looked a hairy place to get down from especially in the dark. Reminiscent of some of the terraces in the Rhinogs/ Trawsfynydd area (Roman Steps) What are those holes referred to in you map ? Sink holes of some kind ? Thanks for the lesson.

[@TheMapReadingCompany]

They are shake holes. I made a video about them. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpiVm5iGYs-Npbs

[@causewaykayak]

@@TheMapReadingCompany Thanks. Just viewed.. What an excellent film you made there. Would definitely discourage night time blundering about in unfamiliar countryside. Your videos are usually so nice. That one was quite unsettling.🏆 👍🏼

[@HuplesCat]

Arrgh! I miss the Ordnance Survey maps so bad. 1 in 50000 is the best in Canada and they cost a lot. Micro navigation is not possible at that scale. I’m mainly in Canadian forests so no roads, etc to help. My best maps will show three houses, a black square with no detail. The road has ten homes on it. I could go on but UK you have no idea how great your maps are 😢 I’ve not been stuck overnight but last year in our forest, we have 103 acres of forest and ponds with multiple hills and dips that are not contoured, we almost had to with our tiny dog. No sun visible. We were totally lost for twenty minutes with zero gear and it was ten minutes up until dark. I used basics. Partner and dog stood still I walk until they were near disappearing. Marked the direction to go next. Had them join me. Straight lined it knowing I’d hit an atv trail or the big pond. Took the dog months to trust us again. Don’t go into any forest with no gear after drinking wine! However night hikes are a brilliant experience, just pack a lot of gear

[@Clapperofcheeks5000]

Their must be decent maps though

[@peterward4005]

No the maps are shite for detail, its best to hike big features like the old days, valleys, rivers and peaks. The forest is all about where you came from or powerlines have big clearings around which are handy. Some people break branches when they are getting anxious to find the start again. The recreation trails they have are Stella though even have sign posts and distance markers in the middle of no where.

[@hissingman]

Привет! На некоторых компасах, Suunto m3 или silva expedition есть двойная шкала, из двух линий под углом 90'. Для чего они? Как ими пользоваться?

[@TheMapReadingCompany]

They are declination scales. I have made a video about both compasses and how to use the scales. Это шкалы склонения. Я снял видео о компасах и о том, как пользоваться весами. Sunto: kzbin.info/www/bejne/npvNcpqGr7CZfZY Silva: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpjZiKGpoKaZrsk

[@hissingman]

​​@@TheMapReadingCompanyнет, не шкалы склонения. Я не могу описать правильно. Мешает проблема перевода. Эти шкалы расположены на базовой пластине. Рядом с линзой.

[@imrepub]

​@@hissingmani don't know the proper name for it but it helps with the distance measurement on the map, you have to use the one with the same ratio as yor map eg 1:25000 or 1:50000 etc. it is stated next to the scale on the base plate and somewhere on your map too

[@lafamillecarrington]

I have never heard of micro navigation.

[@cab8188]

what kind of map are you using? Is it a regular topography map ? Thank you.

[@TheMapReadingCompany]

Yes, it a standard OS 1:25,000 shop.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/maps/paper-maps/?_bc_fsnf=1&series=OS+Explorer

[@muhdamsyar4800]

Tq

[@w0jwjohn680]

How or where do you get your maps with such detail ? Most of the maps I find have roads, road names and city names and once you leave the road your pretty much on your own. Great videos I really enjoy watching them.

[@TheMapReadingCompany]

shop.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/sale/

[@bn5055]

The whole UK is mapped to a scale of at least 1:10,000, and in cities, as high as 1:1,250. Walking maps like the one used here are 1:25,000.

[@getsmart3701]

Anothe quality video and a valuable nugget of wisdom "if your not confident, wait out the night". I've had friends that have failed to heed that praticular nugget and very nearly paid the ultimate price for it. Respect sir, as always.

[@roybatty2030]

I’m always tripping over contours, the metric ones are thicker and easier to see but those old imperial ones are thin and dangerous

[@davespain7716]

Yep, always embarrassing having to wonder around the car park trying to find the correct path.

[@g.w.moorman3887]

Are micro-navigators involved in geo-caching?

[@TheMapReadingCompany]

Definitely. A Geocache is just something that someone has placed (somewhere) so that, with the right clues, someone else can find it. There are clubs which meet regularly and use Geocaching as a hobby - a bit like an old style tressure hunt. Most Geocaching is done with GPS’s but some still use a map and compass and micro navigation.

[@multigabby2]

Hi is that Malham Tarn ?

[@TheMapReadingCompany]

Yes

[@multigabby2]

briliant, this means I understood exactly what you were saying , re n/s , e/w contour. thanks very much.@@TheMapReadingCompany

[@ibnewton8951]

My micro-navigation is finding my way to bed from the living room after a bout of boozing - and no, I’m not trying to be funny.