Join Frank Golden and the Friends of Gold Butte for a couple hours of fun learning about basic compass skills and different ways of determining directions. Many sources list a compass as a valuable tool for venturing into the wilderness, and many people carry them, but without the knowledge or confidence of what information the compass can provide or how to use it to its full extent.

This class will introduce you to basic compass skills so you can begin using the compass and other tools to help find your location, chart your direction of travel, or even confirming that you are on the right path. We will also discuss field expedient methods for direction finding using the sun, the stars, a map, and even your wristwatch.

You will need to bring a compass to learn on. If you are thinking of purchasing one, a good choice would be a military lensatic style, or a Boy Scout orienteering style compass. Very inexpensive compasses, such as those that hang on a zipper, are often inaccurate and frustrating to use, so if you’re going to get one, keep that in mind. Other items to bring include a protractor (yes, the same kind you used in middle school), a pencil, and a ruler. Be sure to bring water and a snack for yourself. We will be practicing social distancing, and masks are required when in close proximity of others.

We will meet at 8:00 AM at the Foothills Trail Parking lot, on the corner of Lower Flat Top Dr. and Wittwer Trail. The small parking area is near the water tower about 1.5 miles north of the Flying J gas station. A pit toilet is available at the trail head.