Use a map and a compass. Always know where you are

By Christian Jensen - 25.02.2026

The Mountain Code has been part of Norwegian outdoor culture for decades. Originally created after a series of tragic mountain accidents in the 1950s and later updated by DNT and the Red Cross, the rules are designed to help everyone travel safely in the outdoors. In every season, with modern equipment, and across all types of terrain. Each rule reflects a mindset of awareness, responsibility and continuous evaluation before, during and after a trip.

The Rule

“Use a map and a compass. Always know where you are.”

Key Points

• Map and compass always work — even when electronics fail.
• Follow the map even on marked trails to stay oriented.
• Navigation enriches the experience and builds confidence.
• GPS devices are helpful but require backup power.

My Experience With This Rule

Over the years, I’ve met a lot of people who head into the mountains without a map or compass. And honestly, that didn’t surprise me. I once ran a small survey about it, and the results confirmed what I already suspected: most people don’t carry these tools, and many don’t really know how to use them. A few do, of course, but they’re the exception rather than the rule.

I don’t consider myself an expert either, but I’ve relied on manual navigation more times than I can count. It has taken me across valleys, over ridges, and through whiteouts. Those experiences taught me something important: a map and compass aren’t old‑fashioned. They’re reliable.

Learning to read contour lines, orient the map, and understand the terrain has made me more confident outdoors. It’s also made the mountains feel more “readable,” almost like a language you slowly start to understand. And the more I practiced, the more I realized how much these basic skills matter when visibility drops or the weather turns.

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that navigation isn’t just about following a straight line on a compass. It’s about using the landscape as natural guides. Rivers, ridges, valleys and forest edges are all “handrails” that have saved me from drifting off course more than once.

I’ve never been truly lost, but I’ve definitely had moments where I wasn’t exactly sure where I was. Practicing triangulation has helped me stay calm in those situations. It’s a skill that takes time to learn, but when you manage to pinpoint your location using only landmarks and a compass, it feels incredibly rewarding.

In the end, this rule is simple: bring a map and compass, and know how to use them. Not because you expect something to go wrong, but because the mountains deserve that level of respect. And because one day, when the weather closes in or the trail disappears under fresh snow, those skills might be the reason you find your way home.