Navigating for Scouts

A Self-teaching Guide to Navigation with Map and Compass

Don Burgess, November 2003

Materials
topographic maps 30 M/5 Hamilton-Burlington
41 I/13 Pogomasing
metric ruler
orienteering compass

Introduction
The ability to navigate with a map and compass gives one the freedom to venture
outside of our urban surroundings and is a satisfying skill to master. It also allows one
to take part in activities such as orienteering and geocaching.

This guide gives an introduction to using maps and compasses.

The guide is divided into three parts: map reading, map and compass, and travel
techniques. Each may be studied on its own. Each part consists of a series of topics
with questions that give opportunities to try the ideas. Solutions to the questions are
given on a separate page.

The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid is used throughout to indicate

locations on the maps. Directions for using this system are included.

You may use this guide on your own, but you may find it more useful with an
experienced navigator on hand to offer help. Make sure that you understand the
questions and their answers.
Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Grid References
The thin blue lines in a grid pattern on your map are the Universal Transverse
Mercator (UTM) grid. It is used to describe locations on the map.

To find the grid reference of a point on a map:

A grid reference is a six-digit number made from two parts: an east-west coordinate,
the easting, and a north-south coordinate, the northing.

Easting:
Read the number on the blue grid line immediately to the left of the point. Estimate
tenths of a square from this line eastward to the point. A ruler may make this easier.

Write this down as the grid number followed by the number of tenths to get a three-
digit number. eg 975

Northing:
Read the number on the blue grid line immediately below the point. Estimate tenths
of a square from this line northward to the point.

Write this down as the grid number followed by the number of tenths to get a three-
digit number. eg 984

Combine these numbers, easting first, to make a six-digit number. eg 975984 The
nearest similar grid reference will be 100 km away.

To find a point on a map given a grid reference:

Break the reference into easting (the first 3 digits) and northing (the last three digits).

Find the intersection of the blue grid lines with the first two digits of the easting and
the northing. Now estimate the tenths from both to find the point.

Hamilton-Burlington Map:
What is the grid reference for the end of the pier that sticks out into the lake between
Burlington and Oakville? What is at grid reference 860123?

Pogomasing Map:
What is the grid reference for the south end of Halfway Lake, in Halfway Lake
Provincial Park? What is at grid reference 392848?
 Answers for UTM Grid References

Hamilton-Burlington Map: Pogomasing Map:

043028 509920
The mushroom farm on Guelph Line. Kennedy Dam

Answers for Map Reading

1. Most northern: Oakville

Most western: Glenwood Heights

2. About 2.2 km.

3. A canyon.

4. A built-up area, a forest, open country, and a lake.

5. A church, a school, silos, a golf course, a camp, an orchard, a swamp, a sports track
(probably for horses), a quarry, and a sand pit.

6. North: a field bordered by woods, with a sports track to the left.

South: a field bordered by woods
West: a field with roads on the other side, a communications tower and some houses
East: a long open slope with a city beyond and a large lake in the distance

Answers for Map and Compass

2. 333 degrees

3. 342 degrees

5. 371966

Answers for Travel Techniques

3. Bear off to Bailey Lake, opposite the island, then travel to Smokefox Lake.

4. Aim to the south of Pogomasing and follow the river northwards to the
railway stop.

5. Some possibilities:
The mouth of the Pogomasing River, east of Pogomasing dam.
The railway bridge north of Sheahan.
The cliffs south of Pogomasing.
The cliffs east of Franklin Lake.
The mouth of the Mogo River and the cabins there.
 Map Reading
Spread out the Hamilton-Burlington map.
Please read the directions for using the UTM grid now, if you have not already done so.

1. North is at the top of the map and west is at the left side. What is the most northern
community shown on the map?

What is the most western?

2. At the bottom of the map is information about the scale of the map. On this map,
one unit of distance on the map corresponds to 50,000 units in the real world. Note
the handy ruler scale provided.

How far is it between Twiss Road at Camp Manitou (845111) and the south end of
Crawford Lake (850132)?

3. Thin brown lines can be seen on the map. These are called contour lines. Every
point on a contour line is at the same height above sea level. Some of these have a
number that gives the elevation. These numbers are printed so that the top of the
numerals is uphill from the bottom.

On this map, each contour line is a height of ten metres away from the neighbouring
ones. If contour lines are close together, the land is steeply sloping. If they are far
apart, the land is almost level.

Describe the shape of the ground around 860140.

4. Colours are used to show the ground cover: White is for open country, green is for
forest, pink is for built-up areas and blue is for water.

What kinds of countryside are at 940020, 830100, 960070 and 900025?

5. Symbols of various sorts show features of the countryside. Red and orange lines
show roads and other shapes show such things as swamps and racetracks. The
symbols are listed on the back of the map.

What do you find at: 933024, 935020, 846923, 896052, 892033, 850068, 820974,
908115, 902070, and 860128?

6. When considering a location on the map, you should be able to form a picture in
your mind by interpreting the markings on the map..

If you were standing at 924008, what would you see if you were facing to the north, to
the south, to the east and to the west of yourself?
 Map and Compass
Spread out the Pogomasing map.
Please read the directions for using the UTM grid now, if you have not already done so.

1. Locate these parts of the orienteering compass.

the base plate, the rotating bezel (the ring with degree markings), the direction of
travel arrow, the bearing marker (in the bezel, next to the direction of travel arrow),
the compass needle, and the lines and arrow on the bottom of the arrow housing

2. To find the bearing for a journey:

A bearing is a direction and is expressed as an angle from north.
Place the compass on the map with a long edge of the baseplate along the line from
your start to your destination and the direction of travel arrow pointing to your
destination.

Holding the baseplate firmly, rotate the bezel until the arrow on the bottom points to
the top of the map and the lines on the bottom are parallel to the light blue grid lines.

Read the bearing at the bearing marker.

What is the bearing for a paddle from the east shore of North Narrows on Pogomasing
Lake, at 370010, to the south end of Picnic Island, at 354042 ?

3. To convert a map bearing to a magnetic bearing:

The compass needle points to earth’s magnetic north pole. Since the magnetic pole is
not at the geographic pole, a correction is needed. This correction is called
declination.

Look at the right margin of your map. You will see a diagram that shows the
difference between true (geographic) north, magnetic north and grid north. Grid north
is usually very close to true north.

If magnetic north is east of true north, we have east declination. If it is west of true
north, we have west declination. Note that the declination changes with time and that
your map shows how to calculate the current declination. Note that degrees are
divided into minutes and seconds, as hours are.

The declination must be added to or subtracted from the map bearing to make the
compass point to your destination. The rule is “Declination east, declination least.
Declination west, declination best.” This means that you subtract east declination, and
add west declination.

The direction of travel arrow will then point to your destination when you line up the
arrow on the bottom of the housing with the compass needle.

What is the magnetic bearing for the journey you looked at in part 2.?
4. To find the bearing to an object:
Point the direction of travel arrow at the object you are interested in.
Rotate the bezel until the arrow on the bottom of the housing lines up with the
compass needle. Read the bearing at the bearing marker. This is the bearing from
magnetic north.

Correct for declination in the opposite way from part 3 to get the bearing from true
north.

5. To find your position:

Find at least two features in the countryside that you can identify with confidence,
then find their bearings from true north.

Draw a line on the map through each feature along its bearing. You are at the spot
where the lines cross each other.

Suppose that you are standing on the west shore of Pogomasing Lake and can see an
island at a bearing of 19 degrees, magnetic, and some buildings across some water,
the most northern of which is at 113 degrees, magnetic. What is the map reference of
your position? Use the photocopy of the map for drawing. Do not mark the map.
 Travel Techniques
Spread out the Pogomasing map.
Please read the directions for using the UTM grid now, if you have not already done so.

1. To walk a bearing:
Set the bearing marker at the correct magnetic bearing.

Hold the compass flat in front of you, away from knives, metal zippers etc, and with
the direction of travel arrow pointing straight ahead.

Rotate your whole body until the compass arrow lines up with the arrow on the
bottom of the compass housing. Look straight ahead and find some object that you
can clearly identify. The further away, the better.

Try this for a few bearings of your choice.

Walk to the object and repeat these two steps until you reach your destination.

2. To walk a bearing in bad visibility or when you cannot see a distinctive object :
Have a companion walk ahead and direct them with gestures until they are far away
and on your bearing.

Walk up to your companion and repeat this procedure.

3. To avoid an obstacle:
Find a location that you can easily identify and that is to one side of the obstacle.
Travel to that location, then to your destination. This is called “bearing off”.

Suppose that your wish to travel from the bridge where highway 144 enters Halfway
Lake Provincial Park at 517901 to the northeast corner of Smokefox Lake at 500890.
How would you go?

4. To travel to a destination that is on a long feature:

As you travel, errors will add up so that you cannot be certain of arriving exactly
where you intend. If your destination is on some long feature, such as a river, road or
shoreline, you can recognize the feature but not know which way to go to your
destination.
If you intentionally aim to one side of your destination, you will know which way to
turn when you reach the long feature. This is called “handrailing”.

To travel from Trapper Lake at 468954 to the railway stop called Pogomasing at
411954, how would you go?
5. To keep track of your position:
Before you can set a course to a destination, you must know where you are now.
While you travel, you should frequently check your position on the map by noting
features of the landscape. This will also let you judge your progress, decide where to
camp etc.

The Spanish River runs from the top of your map to the bottom. Find some places you
could recognize to check your position.
 version: 8-20-01

The Six Boy Scout Knots

by John Geffre

Square Knot Bowline

The square knot is used as a binding knot for such things as The bowline is used to make a non-slip loop on the end of a
clamping a pad on a wound, tying a gathering rope on the rope. It is called the king of knots and it is so dependable that
male end of an extension cord, or as a shoestring knot. The it can be used for rescue work.
bowknot we all use to tie our shoes with is really just a double
slipped square knot. The books say not to use the square knot
to tie two ropes together because it can untie itself under the
right conditions but I have used a single slipped square knot
to tie two ropes together for years without a problem yet.

1 1 2 3 4

After the bowline has been formed, you must tighten it

correctly like this.

Tightened correctly Tightened incorrectly

Sheet Bend Clove Hitch

The sheet bend is the knot you are “supposed” to use to tie The clove hitch is known in the oilfield around here as a claw
two ropes together. You can tie on to a sheet or blanket with it hitch. It is the best knot to use with stiff large diameter rope
if you fold the corner of the sheet into a point and substitute it because it never makes a sharp bend. It is also used to start
for the left rope below. and finish lashings. A lashing is a series of wraps tying two
poles together.
Here is how to tie it
1 around a horizontal post.

2 1 2
Here is how to tie it
around a vertical post. 2
 Two Half Hitches Taut-line Hitch
Two half hitches is my favorite knot. You can tie onto almost The taut-line hitch is my least favorite of the six boy scout
anything with it. In the first step, if you go around the post knots. It is used as an adjustable knot in tent guy lines and
one and a half times instead of just one half time as shown, that’s about all it is used for. This knot has to be internally
you will make a knot called “a round turn and two half tightened quite tight for it to work properly. Two half hitches
hitches” which will grip onto the post extremely well. If you works almost as well as this knot for tent guy lines and the
go around the post two and a half times or more, you will trucker’s knot works even better.
make a knot called “the pipe hitch” which will form a death
grip on the post.
This end goes around a tent stake or a tree

1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4
This end comes from the tent

Other Useful Knots

Overhand Knot The Trucker’s Knot
Use this knot on both ends of your rope to keep This is the most useful knot that I know of. Use it to make a very tight rope
it from unraveling and as a “stopper” knot. I between two objects. The knot in step 1 can be a clove hitch, two half
have found that I like a stopper knot better hitches, or my favorite the hitching tie as shown. The knot in step 3 is called
than “whipping” because both can come off the slip knot. In step 4 after you have pulled the “bight” (bight means “rope
the end of the rope but you can retie an folded in half”) through the slip knot as tight as you can, pinch the crossing
overhand knot quickly and without having to with your left thumb and forefinger so your right hand can tie the knot in
find some whipping material. step 5. The knot formed in step 5 is called a slippery half hitch or a slipped
half hitch. By the way, a hitching tie is actually a slipped slip knot for
anyone who cares about such things.
Coiling a Hitching Tie If you tie the trucker’s knot using a hitching tie as shown, the whole
conglomeration can be untied with only four pulls in the right places. See if
So cowboy, how do YOU
Rope tie your horse to the
you can figure out which are the four right places.
Learn how to do hitchin’ rack? Learn
this, it is important. how to tie this knot real
fast and you can tie a
rope to anything in
about 3 seconds and
untie it in nothing flat.
1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2
When to Use Knots and Lashings
A good knot must pass three tests: 1) It is easy to tie, A clove hitch is a knot that holds a line
2) it stays tied, and 3) it is easy to untie. to a post when being pulled in two
directions, like a bridge’s rope handrail.
Below are 12 knots that fall into five categories. Also
Clove means “two” just like a deer’s
below are methods to prevent rope ends from fraying.
hooves are cloven – in two parts.
The five categories for these knots are bindings,
Use a hitch knot anywhere an attachment
bends, loops, hitches and lashings.
of a line is needed such as posts, eye ring grommets, or
stakes. The clove hitch pulls from two directions like
BINDI NG K NOTS securing lines along a series of posts, or as starting or
A binding knot restricts an object(s) with a single line. ending of a lashing (see below).
Tying your shoe and tying up package are examples of A timber hitch ties a rope to a piece of
binding knots. wood; it is intentionally difficult to undo.
A square knot tied with a single rope line is a Use a timber hitch to secure a line to a
binding knot. tree, a log or to drag a log along the
Use a binding knot to tie bandages, packages or ground. The timber hitch is used to start
most any type of object. a diagonal lashing (see below).

BEND KNOTS LASHI NG KNOTS

A bend knot joins two separate rope lines together. A lashing knot holds two poles together; think of the
log wall forts of the American frontier.
• A square knot, also called a reef knot or joining
knot, can be used to join two lines of the same A diagonal lashing begins with a
diameter (thickness). timber hitch and ends with a clove
hitch. This lashing binds poles that
A sheet bend joins two lines of different cross each other at a 45° to 90° angle.
diameters. Cross bracing at 90° is only used if a
Use a bend knot to lengthen a rope by tying gap exists between poles.
two lines together. A square lashing begins and ends with
a clove hitch and binds poles at a 90°
angle. It is stronger than the diagonal
LOOP K NOTS
lashing, but the square lashing cannot
A loop knot creates a closed circle at the end of a line. be used if a gap exists between poles.
A bowline ties a loop that will not adjust in size A shear lashing begins and ends with a
once tied. It is referred to as a rescue knot clove hitch and binds poles at a 0° to 45°
because it can be tied around oneself one- angle. Use this when poles must flexibly
handed, and is used to lift people out of swing apart in a scissors motion such as
dangerous situations. the shear legs of an A-frame.
A taut-line hitch is actually a loop knot that A tripod lashing begins and ends with a
easily adjusts its loop size under tension, but clove hitch and binds poles to be
remains secure once the knot is taut (pulled arranged to form a pyramid. Use this to
tight). hang a pot above a fire or hold a water-
Use a loop knot for tying down cargo, hold dispensing device over the ground.
down a automobile’s trunk lid or hold just Use lashings to build without nails useful simple
about anything in place. structures like a tripod, a chair, a hang-drying rack or a
flagpole. Pioneering is the use of spars and lashings to
HITCH K NOTS build complex structures with trestle triangles like a
tower, a shelter or a bridge.
A hitch ties a rope to an object like a post or ring. Think
of hitching a horse to a “hitching post.” There are times to not use lashings. Do not build
structures without permission while camping – never
Two half-hitches is knot that holds a
build lashing structures in backcountry. If lashing is
line when being pulled from a post in
permitted, only use approved materials, then untie all
one direction.
structures and practice principles of leave no trace.
WHIPPING
Whipping intends to stop a rope end from unraveling.
• Tie a rope end with a simple overhand knot and
wrap it with duct tape for a temporary fix.
A whipping knot uses twine to bind
natural-fiber rope.

Heat fusing with a candle or match melts

the end of artificial-fiber ropes made of
plastic or nylon.

References:
• http://www.ropeworks.biz
• The Boy Scout Handbook
Square Lashing - Step by Step

Used to fasten two spars or poles together.

Start by crossing the two sticks or dowels at perpendicular or 90 degree angles.
Make a Clove Hitch on the vertical stick or dowel near the point where the two sticks cross.
This fastens the rope to the stick.
Weave the rope under and over the crossed sticks alternately.
To do this, run the rope over the horizontal bar, around behind the vertical bar, then back over
the face of the horizontal bar on the left.
Tighten snugly, and then bring the rope behind the vertical bar and up the right front side of the
horizontal bar.
Repeat this three or four times, keeping the rope tight.
When you have finished weaving the lashing, then "FRAP" it by wrapping the rope between
the poles (in front of the back stick and in back of the front stick), pulling tightly. This tightens
the connected poles.
Finish your lashing with another Clove Hitch.
- Top -
Diagonal Lashing - Step By Step

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

Step 4 Step 5 Step 6

Step 7 Step 8 Step 9

Step 10
Use

Diagonal lashing is used to bind poles together that cross each other but do not touch when their
ends are lashed in place in a structure.
 Comments

The diagonal lashing gets its name from the fact that the wrapping turns cross the poles diagonally.
The diagonal lashing can be used to bind poles that cross each other from 90° to 45°. If the angle
between the poles is less than 45° a shear lashing should be used. The diagonal lashing makes use
of the timber hitch to pull poles together that are not touching each other. The timber hitch allows the
poles to be drawn together without changing the relative positions of the poles. [NOTE] If a square
lashing were used to bind poles that do not touch, the beginning clove hitch would pull the cross pole
toward the clove hitch causing unnecessary bowing of the cross pole and could also produce a force
that would act along the length of the pole to which the clove hitch is tied. These additional forces, if
strong enough, can place unnecessary strain on other lashing within the structure causing the
structure to twist and fail.

Narration

1. Tie a timber hitch diagonally around both poles.

2. Start the wrapping turns on the opposite diagonal to the timber hitch, by pulling the rope tight
so that the poles contact each other.
3. Take 3 to 4 wrapping turns; keep the wrapping turns parallel; pull each wrapping turn tight.
[NOTE] If the wrapping turns are allowed to cross, the increased friction between the strands
of the rope will make it difficult to tighten the wrapping turns.
4. Start the second set of wrapping turns by going past and around the vertical pole.NOTE] Going
around the pole the rope allows the direction of the rope to be changed without crossing the
first set of wrapping diagonally.
5. Take 3 to 4 wrapping turns; be sure to keep the wrapping turns parallel; pull each wrapping
turn tight.
6. Start the frapping turns by going past and around one of the poles. [NOTE] Going around the
pole with the rope allows the direction of the rope to be changed without crossing the wrapping
turns diagonally.
7. Take 2 to 3 frapping turns; keep the frapping turns parallel. Be sure to pull each turn tight.
8. End the lashing with a clove hitch. Take the first half hitch of the clove hitch by going past and
then around one of the poles. Lock the half hitch tight against the lashing by working it tight.
9. Take a second half hitch around the pole.
10. Work the second half hitch tight against the first half hitch so that the clove hitch is locked
against the lashing.

If very smooth rope is used, the lashing can be made more secure by adding a third or fourth half
hitch to the clove hitch.
- Top -
Tripod Lashing - Step By Step

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

Step 4 Step 5 Step 6

Step 7 Step 8 Step 9

Step 10 Step 11 Step 12

Description

A shear lashing around 3 poles.

Use

To bind three poles together, for the construction of a tripod. To bind three poles together that contact
at the same point in a structure.

Comments

The tripod lashing is a shear lashing that binds three poles together at the same point. The tripod
lashing gets it name from the fact that its most common use is the construction of a tripod. The tripod
lashing can be used just about anywhere in a structure that three poles cross each other at the same
point and the same time in the sequence of construction. Tripod lashing takes two main forms; with
racked wrapping turns (the rope is woven between the poles) and with plain wrapping turns (the rope
is wrapped around the poles without weaving the rope between the poles). When the lashing is made
with racking turns the rope contacts each pole around its entire circumference ; this contact makes
the tripod lashing with racking turns the most secure form of tripod lashing: therefore tripod lashing
with racking turns should be used when safety is important. However, for light structures where there
would be no danger if the lashing slipped, the faster to tie tripod lashing with plain wrapping turns may
be used

Laying Out The Poles

For most tripod lashings, lay the pole side by side with the butt ends aligned. The alignment of the
butts of the pole insures that the tripod legs are the desired length

Note

The practice of laying the center pole in the opposite direction to the outside poles creates several
problems. When the poles are laid in opposite directions the wrappings must be put on loosely so that
when the center pole is rotated to its proper position the lashing is tightened around the poles. If the
wrappings are put on too tight, the rope is stretched causing damage to the rope fibers, therefore
weakening the lashing. On the other hand, if the rope is wrapped two loosely, the lashing will not
tighten enough when the center pole is rotated and the lashing will be able to slip along the length of
the pole. Either way, the rope to loose or the rope too tight, a dangerous situation is created.

Setting Up A Tripod

Set up the tripod by crossing the outside poles so that the cross point of the poles is under the center
pole. Crossing the outside poles under the center pole causes part of the load that is placed on the
tripod to be taken up by the wood to wood contact of the poles.
Round Lashing - Step By Step

Comments

1. Used to lash two poles together (constructing a flagpole).

2. Tie a clove hitch round the bottom pole.
3. Wind the rope around both six or seven times.
4. Finish with two half hitches round both poles.
5. The lashing can be tightened by driving a small wooden peg between the poles.
6. If possible force a wedge under the lashings to make them really tight. If the spars are vertical,
bang the wedge in downwards.
- Top -

Shear Lashing
 Comments

A sheer lashing is often used to bind adjacent poles together. It is also a good way to reinforce a
broken or weak pole. The frapping turns used to tighten the lashing may be omitted and replaced with
wedges inserted between the poles.

A loose Sheer Lashing made around the ends of two poles will allow the poles to be opened out and
used as an A-frame. It can also be used to form a tripod just like the Figure-of-eight lashing.

1. Lay out the poles. For most lashings you will want to lay the poles side by side with the butt
ends aligned (thicker ends).
2. Tie a clove hitch around one of the outside poles and secure the standing part by wrapping it
around the running part (or trap it under the first turns). Note: If you only lashing two poles
together it may be better to simply tie the clove hitch around both poles and pull tight.
3. Pass the rope around the poles to form a first turn.
4. Pulling each turn tight made a series of turns until the lashing is at least as long as the
combined diameters of the two poles (usually a set of 4 to 6 turns will be sufficient).
5. Tighten the lashing with a frapping turn by taking the rope down between two poles at one end
of the turns. This should be difficult to do if the turns have been pulled tightly (as they should
be). Bring the rope back up between the poles at the other end of the lashing and pull tight.
Repeat 2 or 3 times.
6. Start the second set of frapping turns by taking the rope around the center pole and frapping.
Take the second set of frapping turns in the opposite direction to the first set.
7. Repeat for any additional poles.
8. Pass the rope once more between the poles then around one pole and tuck it under itself to
form a half hitch. Pull this tight and make a second half hitch forming a clove hitch by taking
the rope around the same pole and tucking it under itself.

Notes on A-Frame Lashing

An A-frame lashing or Sheer Legs is made in the same way as a Sheer Lashing with the lashing and
frapping turns made slightly loose so that the poles can be opened out. It is often used to raise a boat
mast or to form the legs of a rope bridge. You must take care to ensure that the legs of the frame do
not slip.

Notes on Tripods

Take a tripod by using a Figure-of-eight lashing on three poles. Set up the tripod by crossing the
outside poles so that the cross point of the poles is under the center pole. This makes sure that part
of the load is taken by the wood in contact.

If a symmetrical arrangement of the poles is needed within a structure the tripod can be set up by
rotating the poles around the lashing. This means that the load is supported only by the ropes and the
joint becomes flexible and so the tripod may become unstable.
 - Top -

Ladder Lashing

Comment

Ladder lashing allows for a quick and secure method for constructing a ladder or for constructing a
decking with evenly space decking pieces.

This form of lashing has several advantages over the traditional floor lashing. Less material is
required because unlike floor lashing a space can be left between each piece of the decking. Also,
each rung is securely lashed in place by several loops of rope in much the same way as a square
lashing; with the traditional floor lashing only a single loop of the rope holds each end of the decking
in place, therefore if one piece loosens, the entire deck loosens.

The ladder lashing has two forms; left and right, each is a mirror image of the other.

Step 1:The ladder lashing is Step 2:Lay an overhand loop Step 3:Place a rung across the
rails so that the standing part of each
started by using a clove hitch stopped over each side rail so that the
overhand loop is over the end of the
with two half hitches to secure a rope running end of each loop is to the
rung and the running part of each
to the top end of each rail. outside.
overhand loop is under the rung.
Step 4:Pull the running part side Step 5:Then pull the loop over Step 6:Work each rope until it is
of each overhand loop behind and to tightened around the rung and the
the end of the rung.
the outside of each rail. rung is in its desired position.

Step 8:Place an overhand loop

Step 7:Form an overhand loop in over each end of the rung to form a Step 9:Work the half hitch tight
each running part. half hitch around each end of the
rung.

Step 10:Repeat steps 1 through 8 for each additional rung.

END:Finish the lashing by tying a clove hitch around each rail so that the clove hitch is directly under the
bottom rung.
- Top -
 THE ART OF ESTIMATION

Estimation of Height and Widths

This is quite a useful skill for a Scout during pioneering projects, camping or going on an adventure trip. After learning all these
skills, he will be able to estimate the height of a tree, building or even a specific distance. It is also one of the tests conducted at the
King Scouts' Standardization.

Heights

Measuring Heights - Pencil Method or Proportional Method

Have a friend whose height you know stand beside a tree, or tie a ribbon around the tree at your own height. Step back and hold a
pencil or a stick at arm's length in front of you. With one eye closed, sight over the stick so that the top of it appears to touch the
ribbon or your friend's head. Place your thumbnail on the stick where it seems to touch the base of the tree. Now move the stick up
to see how many times this measurement goes into the height of the tree. Multiply that number by the height of your friend or the
ribbon, and you will know the height of the tree. You can also use this method to measure buildings, waterfalls, and walls.

Measuring Heights - Tree-felling method

Back away from a flagpole or tree that you want to measure. Hold a stick upright at arm's length. Sight over the stick so that its tip
appears to touch the top of the pole and your thumb is at its base. Swing the stick 90 degrees to a horizontal position as if the
flagpole were falling. Keep your thumb at the base of the pole, and notice where the tip of the stick seems to touch the ground. Pace
the distance from that point to the base of the flagpole to get its height.

Measuring Heights - Shadow Method

The method can be used only if the sun is able to cast a shadow. First is we measure the shadow cast by the tree (from the base of
the tree to the shadow of it's top), we label this length as AB. We then measure the shadow cast by someone or an object of known
height, we label this as CD.

A 15th Cheltenham (SHURDINGTON) Resource - 2003

We merely solve the unknown height by use of proportions, by equating:
AB KNOWN AB - Length of the shadow cast by tree
UNKNOWN = ----------------------, where
CD CD - Length of the shadow cast by a known height
Measuring Heights - Inch-to-Foot Method
From the foot of the object you are to measure pace eleven (11) units, we label it distance AB. A unit can be any number of paces,
so if we say our unit is five paces then 11 units is equivalent to 55 paces. Place something to mark the point B. From B take one
more unit forward, this is distance BC. From location C lie down on the ground such that your eyes are close to the ground as
possible. Sight the tree with the marker on B in your line of sight. Note where your line of sight cuts the marker to the tip of the tree.
That spot is labelled as D. The distance of BD in inches is the estimated height of tree in feet.

Widths
Measuring Widths - Napoleon Method
Stand on one shore of a stream. Bow your head, chin against your chest. Hold your hand to your forehead in a salute. Move your
hand down until the front edge of it seems to touch the opposite shore. Without changing the position of your hand, make a quarter
turn. Notice the point at which the edge of your hand seems to touch the near shore. Pace off the distance to that point, and you will
know the width of the river. Napoleon might have used the brim of this hat instead of his hand. If you are wearing a cap with a visor,
so can you.

Measuring Widths - Stride or Step Method

Select an object on the opposite side of the river, such as a tree and we mark it as A. Mark the point directly in front of the object on
the opposite side of the river, mark it as point B. Take at least 50 paces to point C, so as to form line BC. Note that line BC should
be perpendicular to line AB. Mark point C with a stick or another person. Again, pace another distance to point D. The distance CD
is half the distance of BC. From point D, pace another distance to point E. Line DE is parallel to line AB. Point E is marked on a
location wherein you can see point C forming a straight line with point A. Meaning when you look at the stick on point C. it somewhat
blocks your line of sight to point A. The distance AB is twice the distance DE. AB = DE x 2. We can alter the method a bit. Instead of
having distance CD half the distance between BC, we can make it equal to each other. Do the same method to find point E. Using
this alternative, AB=DE. This is more accurate.

A 15th Cheltenham (SHURDINGTON) Resource - 2003

Measuring Widths - Compass Method
Locate an object on the other side of a river. Stand on your side and point the direction-of-travel arrow towards the object. Align the
magnetic needle to 45O indicator of the compass housing. Pace the line BC while pointing the direction-of-travel arrow towards the
object all the time. Point C is marked when the compass is oriented (magnetic needle is directly above the orienteering arrow). The
distance BC is a rough estimate of distance AC. You have just formed a 45-45-90 triangle, which has two of its sides equal to each
other.

Courtesy of – 18th GT(N) Online – http://www.scout.org.my/18gtn

A 15th Cheltenham (SHURDINGTON) Resource - 2003

About Avadi
Avadi is a private region in Western piece of the city of Chennai, Indian province of Tamil
Nadu. It is situated on Chennai area. It is a Special Grade Municipality of Chennai
Metropolitan Area in the province of Tamil Nadu, India. Avadi is nearer to Anna nagar,
Ambattur, Perambur and some different spots. Ambattur is around 3km, Perambur is around
11 km, and Anna nagar is around 10km from Avadi. Arranged around 24 km West of
Chennai Central Railway station it is encompassed by real barrier foundations and is a home
to different colleges and designing universities. The area is served by Avadi Railway Station
of the Chennai Suburban Railway.

Starting at 2011, the town had a populace of 345,996. The Heavy Vehicles Factory HVF is
situated in Chennai Avadi. It is a standout amongst the most crowded and created territory in
the Chennai city. Avadi has a lake which lies directly behind the Tamil Nadu Housing Board
TNHB and Thirumullaivoyal. This lake is of length of 2.64 kilometers. It is generally known to
have never gone away in numerous years. This lake has evidently been a wellspring of
water for development of homestead lands some time before. You can come to visit this
place with your loved ones.

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Avadi (Tamil: [aːʋaɖi]) is a suburb of Chennai within Chennai Metropolitan Area limit, located
in the Thiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is a municipal corporation west of Chennai,
about 22 kilometres (14 mi) from Chennai Central Railway Station. It is surrounded by major
defence establishments and is home to various universities and engineering colleges. The
city is served by Avadi Railway Station of the Chennai Suburban Railway. As of 2011, Avadi
had a population of 345,996, which is 10th most populous place in Tamil Nadu. It is home to
the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Ordnance Factory Board (ODF) which houses Engine
Factory and Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE). The
lake in Avadi was known as Paaleripattu, which is now found only in very old land
documents.

Avadi

Neighbourhood
TIDEL Park Avadi

Nickname: Chennai's Western Gateway

Avadi is located in Chennai
Avadi (Chennai)

Coordinates: 13°06′35″N 80°05′50″E

Country
India
State
Tamil Nadu
District
Tiruvallur
Metro
Chennai
Government
• Type
Municipal Corporation
• Body
Avadi Municipal Corporation
• Mayor
G. Udayakumar (DMK)
Area
• Total
65 km2 (25 sq mi)
Elevation
55 m (180 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total
345,996
• Density
5,300/km2 (14,000/sq mi)
Languages
• Official
Tamil
English
Hindi
Entymology

The exact origin of the name 'Avadi' is not known. One version has it that it is the
combination of "Aa" (meaning cow) and "Adi or gudi (kudi)" (meaning place in Tamil),
indicating that the place had many cows.[citation needed] One of the more popular theories
about the origin of the name is that it is an acronym for "Armoured Vehicles and Ammunition
Depot of India". However, this is most likely a backronym invented more recently. The entity
"Armoured Vehicles and Ammunition Depot of India" does not appear in any British
records.[citation needed] This acronym is further disputed by the existence of a railway
station going by the name of "Avadi" in the locality since 1873.

Several British documents from the 19th century refer to the place as "Avady", which doesn't
match the widely circulated acronym theory.The name Avadi (Avady) was already in use by
1856, when the first public railway was opened in the Madras Presidency. This predates the
transfer of the Madras Presidency's arsenal from Fort St. George, India in the city of Madras,
to Avadi, which was done sometime after 1870, which contradicts the popular acronym
theory.

History

The neighbourhood is part of the "auto belt" that developed when the automobile industry
developed in Madras, primarily in the city's industrial north and west regions, in the early
post-World War II years.

The famous session of the Indian National Congress was held at Avadi on 10 January 1955
This historical meet emphasised the importance of socialism and its impact on social
development. Jawaharlal Nehru with Morarji Desai and other Congress leaders at the AICC
session declared that a socialistic pattern of society was the goal of the Congress.

Geography

Avadi is located at 13.12°N 80.1°E.[7] It covers an area of 65 square kilometres (25 sq mi)
and has an average elevation of 17 metres (56 ft).

Lake

A view of the Avadi lake before renovation

Avadi has a lake called Paruthipattu Lake. Spread over 200 acres and 2.64 kilometres (1.64
mi) in length, the lake is located 23 kilometres (14 mi) away from the city, behind the Tamil
Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) and Thirumullaivoyal. It was once a source of water for
farmland irrigation. The body of water attracts many birds throughout the year. However, in
the recent decades it has lost most of its area to indiscriminate building and encroachment.
The Paruthippattu Lake area was renovated with a budget of 32 crores and converted into
an eco-park that officially opened on 19 June 2019. The renovation added recreational
facilities, a 3-km-long walking track, a central plaza and various greenery, while addressing
the issues of encroachment and sewage pollution that had affected the once-neglected lake.

Waste management
The neighborhood generates about 150 metric tonnes of garbage daily. Together with
Thiruninravur and Poonamallee, Avadi generates about 210 metric tonnes of solid waste
from around 120,000 households, which is dumped on a 17.78-acre site in Sekkadu, owned
by the Avadi Municipal Corporation. In 2017, the municipal corporation planned to construct
33 decentralized compost processing plants at a cost of ₹ 109.6 million, each with a capacity
to convert 4 tonnes of biodegradable waste into manure. Of these, 17 plants were
operational as of February 2018

IT sector and industrial establishment -Defense

A new Tidel Park, with a built-up area of 5,57,000 square feet, will be built on a 10-acre land
at a cost of ₹ 2,300 million at Avadi–Pattabiram on MTH Road. This is expected to provide
jobs for 30,000 people. The Construction work started in August 2020.Dell Technology and
Tata Consultancy Service (TCS) have shown interest to move to Avadi. iDEX a Central
Government IT Company for Defence export is expected to invest 1000 crores in Tidel Park
Avadi - Pattabiram.

In addition to military establishments, Avadi also houses a number of IT/ITES and other
service sector-based firms.

Defence Industrial Corridor

The major defence establishments with divisions in Avadi are the Indian Air Force, Indian
Army, Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), EFA-Engine Factory, Combat Vehicles Research and
Development Establishment (CVRDE), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indian Navy,
Central Vehicle Depot (CVD), The Ordnance Depot (OD), Unfit Vehicles Park (UVP) and the
Ordnance Clothing Factory (OCF).

The Indian Air Force has a Mechanical Transport Training Institute Technical (MTTI) here for
training its personnel on driving and repairing vehicles, and also a base repair depot for
repair and maintenance of its various equipment. CVRDE undertakes major research on
battle tanks and other combat vehicles. MBT Arjuns, armoured ambulances, Combat
Improved Ajeyas and Nag anti-tank missiles are some of the recent products from CVRDE.
The Heavy Vehicles Factory produces an indigenous version of the T-72 tank known as
Ajeya. HVF also produces the main battle tank Arjun. The production of T-90S Bhishma
tanks started in 2006–2007. The Tamil Nadu Special Police (TSP) also has a division in
Avadi, the TN 2nd and 5th Battalion.

There was a World War II airfield at Red Hills, Sholavaram, approachable from the junction
close to the CRPF Camp, Avadi, immediately after the Military Hospital.

Manufacturing Industrial Hub

Avadi is around 7 km from Ambattur Industrial Estate and 22 km from Sriperambudur -
Irungattukottai Sipcot Industrial Park.

Places of worship
Edit
There are many Hindu temples in and around Avadi. Karumari Amman temple, Chinnamman
temple, Nagavalli Amman and Perumal temple are famous temples in Avadi. Many old
generation temples are also present in and around Avadi. Thirumullaivoyal, a locality near
Avadi, is famous for Masilamaniswara Temple, Thirumullaivoyal, an ancient temple of Lord
Shiva, as well as Pachaiamman Temple. Vaikundhanaadhar Temple is located near
Kovilpathagai; Angaalamman Temple is located on the Redhills road. Sri Venkateswara
Perumal Temple in Kamaraj Nagar is a Vaishnavite shrine in Avadi.

A handful of mosques serve a considerable Islamic population in Avadi. There are some
churches over 50 years old, including Marthoma Church in Gandhi Nagar, CSI, RC and
Orthodox Churches in HVF road. Also, numerous churches have been built in recent years;
St Antony's Shrine is a Catholic church located at Avadi Check-post. There is a Jain temple,
Vasupujiya Jain Temple, and a Gurudwara in the HVF estate for the Sikhs to worship in
Avadi.

Avadi boasts of cultural and religious diversity and has a proud heritage of religious
tolerance.

Education Institution
Avadi has been a place of importance when it comes to educational institutions. Plenty of
CBSE and Tamil Nadu State board schools are there in its vicinity.

Schools
Edit
Government Girls Higher Secondary school
Government Boys Higher Secondary school
Nabi Crescent Matriculation School, Avadi.
Holy Immanuel Matriculation School[21]
Holy Immanuel Matriculation School [21]
Kendriya Vidyalaya: OCF, AFS, CRPF, and HVF.
Kendriya Vidyalaya CRPF, Avadi.
Air Force School, Avadi[22]
Sri Venkateshwara Matriculation Higher Secondary School
Immaculate Heart of Mary Girls Higher Secondary School
Jaigopal Garodia Vivekananda Vidyalaya
Vijayanta Higher Secondary School
Vijayanta Senior Secondary School
Vijayantha Model Higher Secondary School
St. Joseph's Matriculation School
DAV Matriculation Higher Secondary School
D. S. Selvam Matriculation School
Velammal Vidyalaya
VGN Chinmaya Vidhyalaya
Sudharsanam Vidyaashram
Maharishi Vidya Mandir
Aditya Vidyashram
Roman Catholic Mission Matriculation School
Great Harvest vidyalaya
St. Pauls Matriculation School
Nazareth Matriculation Higher Secondary School
Veltech Dr.RR & Dr.SR Matriculation Higher Secondary school
The Nazareth Academy
Ordnance Clothing Factor school
RMK Senior secondary school
Sri Ramakrishna matriculation school
Colleges
Edit
Veltech Rangarajan and Dr.Sakunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology
Veltech Multitech
Veltech Hightech
Veltech School of Law and School of Communication
Veltech College of Engineering
Murugappa Polytechnic College[23]
St. Peter's College of Engineering and Technology
Mahalashmi Women's College of Arts & Science
Veltech Rangarajan Sangunthala Arts College[24]
Aalim Muhammed Salegh College of Engineering (Nizara Educational Campus)
Nazareth College of Arts and Science[25]
Dharmamurthi Rao Bahadur Calavala Cunnan Chetty Hindu College
S. A. Engineering College
S. A. College of arts and science

State assembly constituency

Avadi is a state assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu, India, formed after constituency
delimitation.The areas included are Poonamalle Taluk (partially), Pattabiram, Thirunindravur,
Tiruverkadu and Avadi (M). It is included in the Thiruvallur parliamentary constituency.

Heavy Vehicles Factory

The Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) located at Avadi in Chennai in the Indian state of Tamil
Nadu is an armoured vehicle and battle tank manufacturing factory of Armoured Vehicles
Nigam Limited.
Heavy Vehicles Factory
Industry
Defence
Founded
1965
Headquarters
Avadi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Area served
Defence
Products
Arjun MBT, T-90, T-72, Vijayanta tanks
Parent
Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (current)
Ordnance Factories Board (former)
HVF was set up in 1961 by the Ordnance Factory Board, Government of India to
manufacture heavy battlefield equipment, including Vijayantas, Kartik BLT, M-46 Catapult
and T-72 Ajeya tanks and was later made part of Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited in 2021
and part of the corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board.

Currently, HVF manufactures India's Arjun MBT, BLT T-72, T-72 for TRAWL and the T-90
Bhishmas. Apart from OE manufacturing HVF also has the facility of overhauling all the
tanks manufactured at HVF.The Engine Factory of HVF functions separately from HVF.

Ordnance Clothing Factory is an Indian clothing manufacturing company run by the

Ordnance Factories Board, Government of India.

Ordnance Clothing Factory

Industry
Military clothing
Headquarters
India
Parent
Troop Comforts Limited(current)
Ordnance Factories Board(former)

This organisation comes under Indian Ordnance Factories, which in turn comes under the
aegis of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), having its headquarters in Kolkata. All these
organisation come under the control of Ministry of Defence,Government of India.[citation
needed]

The factory more particularly is controlled by Ordnance Equipment Factories Group having
its headquarters at Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, which itself is a key operating division
under Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).

Among the approximately forty factories under Indian Ordnance Factories, there are two
Ordnance Clothing Factories. The Ordnance Clothing Factory at Avadi(OCFAV), near
Chennai and Ordnance Clothing Factory at Shahjahanpur(OCFS), near Bareilly, Uttar
Pradesh.
The Factory at Avadi, Chennai produces combat shirts, combat jackets, trousers, shorts,
tents, disposable shirts and parachutes for the Defence Forces.OCFAV recently started
production of bullet proof jackets and bullet proof vests.

The Factory at Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh produces winter clothing, high altitude clothing,
uniforms, blankets, woollen knitwear and mosquito nets for the Defence Forces.

Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment

Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) is a laboratory of the

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Located at Avadi, in Chennai,
India. It is the main DRDO lab involved in the development of Armoured fighting vehicles,
Tanks, Automotive electronics and many other.

Combat Vehicle Research & Development Establishment

Established
March 1976
Field of research
Vehicle Research
Director
Balamurugan V
Address
Avadi, Chennai-600 054
Location
Avadi, Chennai
Operating agency
DRDO

After the Independence of India, the Chief Inspectorate of Mechanical Transport

Establishment (MTE), which was previously located in Chaklala, Pakistan, was moved to
Ahmednagar. It was later renamed as Vehicle Research & Development Establishment
(VRDE), Ahmednagar.

In 1965, the Heavy Vehicles Factory under the Ordnance Factory Board was set up at Avadi
to manufacture Vijayanta Tanks. A detachment of VRDE was established there to provide
R&D support. In March 1976, the VRDE detachment at Avadi was split off from VRDE and
re-designated as Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE), as an
independent DRDO laboratory responsible for Research & Development of Armoured
Fighting Vehicles.

CVRDE has been tasked with the design, development and testing of tracked combat
vehicles and specialized tracked vehicles. It has also designed certain aircraft subsystems,
mainly related to the engine and hydraulics. Like many DRDO labs, it also develops civilian
technologies based on spin-offs of the defence related products developed by it. It has
recently started developing Unmanned Ground Vehicles of the tracked category.
CVRDE is the main research lab responsible for the development of the Arjun MBT, 248 of
which have been ordered by the Indian Army. It has also developed the Tank-EX, Bhim Self
Propelled Artillery, based on the Arjun Chassis, and the Combat Improved Ajeya, an
upgrade of the Indian Army's T-72 Tanks.

Apart from these, CVRDE has also developed other combat and Engineering Vehicles, like
Armored Cars, Bridge-layer Tanks, Armoured Recovery Vehiclesand a Mortar Carrier based
on the BMP-2 chassis.

CVRDE is also working on many technologies related to Armoured Fighting vehicles.

CVRDE has a division dedicated to development of Automatic transmissions for Armored
Fighting Vehicles. It has developed transmissions of various power ranges viz. 1500, 800,
150 hp. It has developed various subsystems of transmission like torque converter, Fluid
coupling and retarder, Steering units, Final drives etc. Muntra, India's first ever unmanned
armored vehicle was developed here.

Indian Air Force station AVADI

23 Equipment Depot at Avadi (Chennai) dates back to World War II. Christened in December
1944 as 337 Maintenance Units under the Royal Indian Air Force, it functioned as a Supply
Point and a Storage Depot for South-East Asia. It was renamed twice over as No. 3
Equipment Depot in September 1947 and 23 Equipment Depot in March 1966
CRPF
RTC Avadi was raised on 1st February, 1969 with the aim to"Focus on churningout
proficient, dedicated & loyal constables, who are confident of their abilities to perform in all
theatres of deployment”. RTC, Avadi has been entrusted to train 1500 recruits in a batch.
Since inception, this institute has trained 61,643recruits including recruits of other Forces/
Departmentsand 3271 trainees trained in-service/promotional courses. This is one of the
premier institutions of the force which conducts 44 weeks basic training course for the
recruits. In addition to this, the centre had also run various trainingprograms in categories
and levels mentioned as under:-

S. N. Basic Training Professional/Promotional Course

1 Basic training of CRPF constables Yoga Course
2 Basic training of CT/Tradesman CRPF TOT Refresher Course
3 Basic training of HC (Min) Re-Orientation Training for Ex-Army (CRPF)
4 Basic training of UP Police (both PAC& Civil) Re-Orientation Training 05 Coy
of 245 Bn, CRPF
5 Basic training of CISF Law & Order Ref. Course
6 Security Guard of Depot. Of space Shooting Skill Course
7 IR Bn A&N Islands Sub-Inspector Promotional Course
8 IR BnPuducherry Head Constable Promotional Course
9 2nd IR Bn Goa Police ToT Course for trainers
10 3rd IR Bn Goa Armed Police
11 Basic training of Pioneer/Engineering wing(CRPF)
General information
Recruit Training Centre, Avadi is located within GC Avadi campus at a distance of
approximately 32 KMs from Chennai Central Railway Station and 6 KMs from Avadi Railway
Station and Bus Stand. The camp is well connected with local bus services. Personnel
alighting at Chennai railway station should take local train service to reach Pattabiram
Military Siding Railway Station which is nearer to camp (only 2km) than Avadi.
Principal : Shri S. Arul Kumar, IPS , DIG
Chief Training Officer : Shri Ashok Swamy, Commandant
E-mail : principalrtcavadi[at]gmail[dot]com
rtctwo[at]crpf[dot]gov[dot]in
Control Room No. : 044-29565615 (Tele/Fax)
Nearest Railway Station : Avadi (06 km)