Orienting A Map With A Compass. The basics of orienting yourself with a map and compass. Simple explanation and demonstration of map orientation along with how to take a bearing.
Notice the orienteering lines and direction-of-travel arrow are all parallel. If you have a fixed-ring compass, you can mark the declination angle on the compass ring with a piece of tape. In the US, the gold standard for topo maps is those created by the US Geological Survey, or USGS.
Maps are invaluable for navigating unfamiliar terrain, but without this basic step, you Want to learn how to navigate with a map and compass?
Place edge of compass on the magnetic north needle of the compass rose or one of the parallel lines you drew in preparing your map.
Using the compass in interaction with a map. A map represents the real world. Turn yourself and the compass around slowly until the red end of the needle lines up with the orienting arrow, as in the picture.