Step 7 of 10 · Read a Trail Map and Not Get Lost
Thumb navigation
Thumb navigation — step 7 of 10 in Read a Trail Map and Not Get Lost. Place your thumb on your current position on the map. As you walk, slide your thumb along the trail to your new position.
Free outdoor skills tip: Thumb navigation (step 7 of 10 from "Read a Trail Map and Not Get Lost").
Place your thumb on your current position on the map. As you walk, slide your thumb along the trail to your new position. This way, whenever you glance at the map, your thumb is already pointing to 'you are here' — no searching.
Re-anchor your thumb at every confirmed checkpoint. If you cannot confirm a checkpoint, stop and reorient the map. Look for the last confirmed feature behind you and the next expected feature ahead. The gap between them is your uncertainty zone — shrink it before moving forward.
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