Why these skills still matter on the fells

It is easy to rely on a phone or GPS unit, but in the Lake District the weather can turn in minutes. Mist can blanket a ridge, and a wet screen or a dead battery leaves you with nothing. A map and compass never run out of power. More importantly, they build your understanding of the landscape. When you can set the map to north and take a bearing, you can confidently find a secluded tarn for a wild swim or navigate back to the valley in low cloud. These simple techniques are the foundation of safe fell walking, and they are worth practising until they feel like second nature.

Setting the map to north

This is the first habit to build. Place your compass on the map. Rotate the map and compass together until the compass needle points to the top of the map. That top edge is grid north. Now the features on the map line up with the features on the ground. In the UK, magnetic north is a few degrees west of grid north, but for most walkers this difference is small enough to ignore. If you want to be precise, check the magnetic variation printed on the map and adjust your compass bezel. Once the map is set, you can look at a crag, a beck or a tarn and immediately see where you are. Do this every time you stop. It takes seconds and keeps you oriented.

Taking a bearing between two features

Say you want to walk from a summit to a small tarn you have spotted on the map. Place the edge of your compass along the line between the two points. Make sure the direction of travel arrow points towards the tarn. Rotate the bezel until the orienting lines in the compass housing align with the north-south grid lines on the map. Read the number at the index line. That is your grid bearing. To follow it, hold the compass flat in front of you. Turn your body until the red end of the needle sits inside the orienting arrow. The direction of travel arrow now points the way. Walk on that line, checking the needle regularly. To return, you can take a back bearing by adding or subtracting 180 degrees. This skill is invaluable when you are heading to a remote swim and the path fades.

Measuring distance using the map scale

Distance on the map is only useful if you can translate it to the ground. On a 1:25,000 map, one centimetre equals 250 metres. Use the scale bar at the bottom of the map. For straight lines, mark the distance on a piece of paper or a bit of string. For winding paths, lay the string along the route, then measure it against the scale. Add extra for undulations and detours. A simple rule for timing is Naismith's: allow three kilometres per hour, plus one minute for every ten metres of ascent. So a two-kilometre walk with 300 metres of climbing might take around an hour and a half. This helps you plan a swim before dark and ensures you carry enough food and water.

A simple practice routine for any walk

The best way to keep these skills sharp is to use them on every walk, even in good weather. At each stop, set the map to north. Pick a visible feature and take a bearing to it, then walk on that bearing until you reach it. Measure the distance between two points and check your timing. When you plan a wild swim, use the map to identify the tarn, take a bearing to it, and measure the distance. On the return, use back bearings to find your way. Here is a simple routine to follow:

• At every stop, set the map to north.
• Pick a feature, take a bearing, and walk to it.
• Measure a distance and check your timing.
• Plan a swim by taking a bearing to the tarn.
• Use a back bearing to return to your start point.

Practise in familiar places so that when mist or rain arrives, the actions are second nature. A few minutes of practice on each outing will make you a more confident and safer fell walker, ready for whatever the Lake District offers.