Compass confusion
QWhile recently on Blencathra, I took out my compass to check my bearing, only to discover it was pointing in the exact opposite direction! There was a magnet in my rucksack where I kept my compass – could this be why the compass reversed?
If your compass’ south needle (white or black depending on the type of compass) is pointing to magnetic north, your compass has reversed polarity. This can often be caused by being in proximity to car speakers, though any magnetic or metal object can interfere with compasses, so it’s best to keep them apart.
To check your compass definitely has reversed poles, use map-oriented features on the ground to determine where grid north is, which, in the UK, will be very close to the direction the red needle on your compass should be pointing to.
We recommend carrying a spare compass in your rucksack and always sensecheck a bearing with the map and ground features. Never try to navigate with a reversed compass as they tend to be a few degrees out all the time, even if you do remember to use it the opposite way to normal.
To fix reverse polarity you can send the compass off to its manufacturer for correction. Alternatively some outdoor stores will sort it for you while you wait – this should maintain any current warranty.
However, if you wish to try to correct it yourself, follow our step-by-step guide opposite.