Finding your campsite, a spectacular viewpoint or your way back out of the wilderness won’t always be simple tasks. That’s why a magnetized compass and a paper map—and the navigational knowhow to use them—are part of the Ten Essentials.

This article covers the following concepts:

Identifying the basic parts of a compass

Understanding and setting declination adjustment

Using your compass to orient your map

Understanding bearings and how to use them

Also read our companion article, How to Use a Topo Map. Then take a class with the REI Outdoor School or another outdoor organization and practice these skills until you master them.

Why not rely exclusively on a phone or GPS receiver? Because batteries can die and gadgets can malfunction. A compass relies only on Earth's magnetic fields. If you don’t have one yet, read How to Choose a Compass.