Off-road navigation involves determining your location and being able to get to a designated destination using various instruments and tools. Wilderness orienteering is a favorite pastime for some and there are groups of people that get together and plan treasure hunts and other activities to hone their skills. Orienteering classes are available to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to use topographical maps and compasses to prevent individuals from becoming hopelessly lost in the wilderness. If planning a wilderness trek be sure to prepare in advance to ensure the journey is a safe one.

Become familiar with the area by means of a map. Plot trails and rest stops along the way and inform someone of the intended locations from start to finish in the event the unexpected should occur. Get up to date weather reports and be prepared should inclement conditions arise. A GPS locator can be used to electronically plot wilderness destinations all along the route. In the case of malfunction or battery drainage persons should be familiar with other direction finding options.

Rudimentary orienteering techniques can be used if lost without a map or compass. Place a stick upright in the ground on a sunny day and observe its shadow. Mark the end of the shadow with a rock or some other object. This indicates the direction of west. Wait until the shadow moves around the stick and mark the end of the second shadow. This indicates east. By connecting both points an east-west line is determined. A perpendicular line in the middle of this denotes north and south. In the southern hemisphere west and east would be switched on the line. Individuals wearing an analog watch can hold the watch level and point the current hour hand toward the direction of the sun. Divide the area between this point and 12 in half to determine which direction in front of you is south.

Simple techniques using the moon and stars can also determine direction. If the moon rises before sunset the illuminated side is west. If the moon rises after midnight the illuminated side is east. Drawing an imaginary line through the tips of a crescent moon toward the earth indicates where south is located on the horizon. Find the Big Dipper in a night sky and draw a line upward using the outer most stars in the cup. The first medium bright star is Polaris or the North Star which is centrally located between the Big Dipper and the Cassiopeia constellations.

A topographical map can show current and destination locations. This type of map is more expensive than a regular road map but is vital in wilderness orienteering as it shows elevations, valleys and areas of vegetation. Some maps also include manmade trails and landmarks. Land contour features are illustrated by circular lines at intervals of 20, 40, 80, 100 or 200 feet. The closer these lines are the steeper the elevation of that area. Every fifth line is an index feature and is usually bolder than the rest. Generally this line will include an elevation number. The dark colored regions denote trees and plantlife. The beige or non-colored areas depict open spaces and white areas surrounded by blue borders show permanent snow filled or glacial regions. The map also contains latitudinal and longitudinal directions and a distance scale.

Maps are printed to scale in ranges of 1:12,000 to 1:250,000 with the latter showing the most detail that includes trails, trail junctions, primitive trails, campgrounds and springs or streams. In addition to traditional N,S, E and W directions, the map will indicate the degree difference between magnetic and true north or the declination feature. When using a map mark the time and spot of arrival. Upon arriving to the next location mark this spot and time. This information allows individuals to determine their current rate of travel.

Most orienteer experts advise using a topo map in combination with a good compass to determine all locations and destinations. Features of a quality compass include an adjustment declination screw, a transparent base, a rotating housing or bezel, degree markings from 0 to 360, meridian lines and a ruler. Proper training with a topographical map and a quality compass ensures trekkers that they will always be able to determine present, past and future locations.