Check out the ITS Online Store for awesome new products!
From the category archives:
Hopefully many of you are not only familiar with Topographic Maps, but have had some experience folding them. I say this to relate to how much of a pain they can be to manage.
Today, I hope to show you a few new techniques for folding a topo map, or any map for that matter. These are universal and can be used on any map.
I’ll even show you a great way to take an 8.5″ x 11″ sheet of paper and turn it into a simple booklet to access information more efficiently. [Read More…]
{ 11 comments }
Earlier this year, I wrote an article for the Art of Manliness on the benefits of dispersed camping outside of established campgrounds and how to use them to launch off to last minute weekend getaways, but the how of finding these campsites deserves a post of its own.
US Forest Service maps are great, but don’t always reveal as much about the terrain as Google Maps can. Here we will use Skynet’s Google’s eyes to help us find a nice off-the-beaten-path campsite. [Read More…]
{ 5 comments }
Undoubtedly you’ve seen those boxes with a telescope sticking out of the front used on construction sites and by road survey crews, but have you ever wondered what they were? I guess I never gave it much thought and hadn’t pondered using this type of equipment at home or work.
Those weird looking boxes that surveyors are looking through are called Theodolites and are used to measure vertical and horizontal angles. They’re also the instruments responsible for geodetic surveys since the 1800s. They tell you where you are and the location of what you are looking at (by measuring angles and using formulas.) I’ll stop right there and admit my math skills are horrible and I’m not going to pretend to know much about geometry.
This is where the magic of the iPhone jumps in and helps us knuckle-draggers out. The math voodoo is done for you and gives you quick, accurate information that you can now send via SMS message or email to all your co-workers and friends. [Read More…]
{ 10 comments }
I’ve worn a watch compass for the better part of 6 years now and have always favored the Suunto Clipper, despite it’s drawbacks and owning a total of four of them throughout this time. While this could be why the watch compass was recently discontinued by Suunto, I’ve been searching for a good replacement since the last one I had gave up the ghost.
I slammed it against a ladder about a month ago, causing the bezel and the compass to separate from the carrier and go flying across our warehouse here at ITS HQ. I tried to superglue the clipper back together again, but for some reason, either the superglue reacted strangely with the compass and caused the liquid to discolor and leak out, or there was a hairline fracture from the impact that I didn’t catch.
Either way, I went on an internet search to find a replacement, or even see if I could find a vendor that still had the Suunto Clipper in stock. [Read More…]
{ 47 comments }
“There’s always sign.”
Sign is the physical evidence of any disturbance of the environment left behind by animals, humans or objects. The detection of this sign is called sign cutting. A person (or animal) cannot traverse ground without leaving some sort of telltale sign. This sign is what we’re trying to find and track.
When most people think of tracking, they usually think of following footprints. But a trained tracker looks for more. He looks for kicked-over rocks, soil depressions, clothing fibers, changes in vegetation, changes in the environment, ambient noise or lack thereof, etc. Basically, the tracker looks for the disturbance — the sign — left behind by the person or persons being tracked. [Read More…]
{ 19 comments }
We’re stoked to be releasing two Travel Bugs into the Geocaching world. This is our first series of Travel Bugs and we hope you guys/gals will get involved with moving them through their missions.
If you’re not familiar with Geocaching or don’t know what travel bugs are please check out our Introduction to Geocaching article. Mike does a great job of giving you the basics about getting started. If you are a seasoned Geocacher then you know how much fun it can be to help travel bugs along their way.
Both Travel Bugs will be launched from the UDT/SEAL Museum in Ft Pierce Florida. We started a cache named In Memory Of Our Fallen (GC37M7X ), which is right outside the entrance to the Museum and also the inscription on the ITS Tactical brick at the UDT/SEAL Museum. [Read More…]
{ 7 comments }
With our legs screaming, our breathing fast and shallow, we continue climbing. The GPS says we’re just a few hundred feet away and while we tried to resist bushwhacking due to the waste of energy, if this gamble pays off it will net us a solid 40 points. The second most valuable checkpoint in the race.
My brother and his wife have joined me in the second ever Gear Junkie Treasure Hunt taking place in Roanoke, Virginia. It’s quite a drive from Washington, DC but it sure is scenic this time of year and the weather was absolutely perfect. [Read More…]
{ 2 comments }
Geocaching Ready - circa 2004
Most of you are probably familiar with Geocaching (pronounced ‘geo-cashing’) one way or another. In it’s simplest form, Geocaching is a ‘treasure hunt’ where users with GPS devices find hidden containers (called caches) and log their visit.
Sometimes there are even items in the caches to trade. It’s honestly just a great excuse to get off the couch and explore the great outdoors.
My Geocaching ‘career’ started in high school. I picked up a Garmin Geko 101 from Radio Shack and while it was super entry level and didn’t have any bells or whistles, it did everything you need it to do for Geocaching; Just input the GPS coordinates and go! [Read More…]
{ 11 comments }
The LandNav series has reached its zenith; we’re now at the point where we are ready to learn how to use the map and compass together to maneuver.
In one sense, maneuvering with the map and compass is rather elementary since the compass is effectively employed as a protractor and ruler.
The straight sides of the compass’ base plate are used as a ruler to connect points and measure distances. This, in fact, is the first step in maneuvering from point A to point B with the map and compass. [Read More…]
{ 7 comments }
In its essence, the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) system divides up the globe into small, manageable segments. Rarely is someone going to set out and hike from Oregon to Maine and most planned adventures, even when spending a week in the backcountry, won’t require more than a handful of quads.
Latitude and longitude is obviously a very valid way of referencing your position on the globe, but most recreational outdoorsmen have moved on to UTM. Likewise, the military uses MGRS, another type of globe grid system, in lieu of latitude and longitude. MGRS is a topic which will be covered in-depth in the future. [Read More…]
{ 4 comments }
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Knots Survival Knot Tying 550 Cord Marc Lee SHOT Show 2011 Reader Appreciation Contest Zulu Nylon Gear Zip Ties Lock Picking DIY Survival Kit Las Vegas SHOT Show Navy SEAL ETA Kit Knot of the Week Bravo Company USA Concealed Carry Multicam EDC Imminent Threat Solutions camping Magpul Every Day Carry Giveaway BUD/s Blow Out Kit ITS Tactical Preparedness hiking
 |
 |
 |
 |
Recent Comments