Merlin's Pyramid

Compass pictures are a simple, safe way for newcomers to using a compass to practice and become comfortable with its use. You need 7 tent pegs (the skewer type), a quantity of coloured wool or string, a compass, a measuring stick and large open space that is reasonably flat. If the open space is someone's lawn check that they are happy to have tent pegs stuck in it before you start. The measuring stick can be any convenient length, too small and taking the bearings will be difficult and too large and you will require a lot of space. Assuming a 1 metre long stick you will require about 16 metres of wool or string.

Put the first peg in the ground and attach the end of the wool to the peg. Now follow the instructions in the table for the picture that you are attempting. Put a peg in at the end of each length, pull the wool tight and tie it to the peg. When you have completed all the instructions you should have mapped out a regular shape on the ground without any gaps. If not you went wrong and need to check your bearings and lengths. NB steel tent pegs will affect your compass readings.

The pictures are listed in ascending order of difficulty. Try them all, then design your own.

Picture 1

1. Walk 3 units on a magnetic bearing of 200°
2. Walk 3 units on a magnetic bearing of 320°
3. Walk 3 units on a magnetic bearing of 080°

Picture 2

1. Walk 2.5 units on a magnetic bearing of 300°
2. Walk 2.5 units on a magnetic bearing of 030°
3. Walk 2.5 units on a magnetic bearing of 120°
4. Walk 2.5 units on a magnetic bearing of 210°

Picture 3

1. Walk 3 units on a magnetic bearing of 010°
2. Walk 3 units on a magnetic bearing of 154°
3. Walk 3 units on a magnetic bearing of 298°
4. Walk 3 units on a magnetic bearing of 082°
5. Walk 3 units on a magnetic bearing of 226°

Picture 4

1. Walk 3 units on a magnetic bearing of 090°
2. Walk 2 units on a magnetic bearing of 000°
3. Walk 2 units on a magnetic bearing of 312°
4. Walk 2 units on a magnetic bearing of 228°
5. Walk 2 units on a magnetic bearing of 180°

Picture 5

1. Walk 2 units on a magnetic bearing of 090°
2. Walk 2 units on a magnetic bearing of 030°
3. Walk 2 units on a magnetic bearing of 330°
4. Walk 2 units on a magnetic bearing of 270°
5. Walk 2 units on a magnetic bearing of 210°
6. Walk 2 units on a magnetic bearing of 150°

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