Assignment 8: Final Navigation

Introduction:

Over the past three weeks we have been working on learning different techniques on how to navigate.  We have then taken this knowledge and applied in out in the field. The first week we used the traditional method of using a compass and azimuth to navigate to points out at the Priory. We were also allowed to use a map to help us navigate. The second week we used the GPS to find a new set of points. We were given the coordinates of the points and using the GPS we were to find them without a map. In this final navigation activity, we are to locate all the points that we can in the three hour time period. To spice things up each student will be equipped with a paintball gun.

Study Area:

The navigation course was set up at the Priory which is located about 3 miles south of UW-Eau Claire. The Priory itself is located on a flat plateau surrounded by a wooded area. This wooded area is mainly made up of deciduous trees with a large patch of coniferous to the east of the Priory. The land drops swiftly north and east of the Priory. This year, Wisconsin has experienced a large amount of snow. During all three navigation exercise there was at the very least 6in of snow on the ground. Many times there was deeper especially on the sides of the hills. This made walking around in the woods difficult, most especially when walking up hill.

Methods:

These past few weeks we have gone out to the Priory twice and used a different method each time to navigate around to find points. The two methods that we used were map with compass and GPS. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Map and Compass

In our first exercise we used the traditional method of using a map and compass to navigate around the Priory. Before actually going out to the Priory, each group made a map that would be used out in the field. Over the map we put a grid. Using this grid we could then plot out where our points were. Also using the grid we were able to get the azimuth from point to point telling us in which direction we needed to be moving in. The map's scale bar gave us an estimate on how far to walk in a certain direction. While this method does work, it is time consuming, you need at least two-three people and does not work well when traveling long distances because it is easy to get of course. Figure 1 shows Stacy and Drew plotting out the points. Figure 2 shows Stacy measuring the azimuth from point to point.

Figure1: Stacy and Drew plotting the points

Figure2: Stacy getting the azimuth

GPS

For the next exercise, we left behind the map and compass moved to a new higher tech method of navigating, the GPS. We were not allowed any map or compass and were only given the coordinates of the points. Using the coordinates, we were to navigate and collect all five points. While this may seem like an easy thing to do, it takes a little bit to get used to using the GPS and knowing which direction you want to walk in. The advantages of this method is that it is highly accurate, simple to use and you only need one person. The disadvantage is that it is dependent on satellites. If you can't connect to a the satellites then your out of luck. Figure 3 shows our GPS and list of coordinates for the points. Also the GPS were keeping a track log so we upload our trail on to the computer to see how well we navigated.  Figure 4 is a map of our course.

Figure3: Garmin etrex GPS and our coordinates to the points

Figure4: Our final map of the track we took out in the field.

Final Outing

On this final outing to the Priory things were going to be a bit different. Instead of collecting points from just one course we were to collect all the points except for the the starting points. At each point we would take a waypoint with the GPS to prove we had been there. Like last time, each student had a GPS with them to record their path. To things more interesting each student was issued a paintball gun. Figures 5-6 show us getting our paintball equipment ready for the field. 

Figure 6: Zach is filling up on of the paintball guns with ammo

Figure6: Paintball equipment laid out and ready to be used.

 There was a five minute grace period so that each team was able to put some distance between each other. My team decided to start with the nearest point and work around in a circle to collect the rest of the points. We were able to stay ahead of other teams for a while but saw some action near point 6. We collected all the points but one.