Cardinal Points release free interactive map and compass training aid

Cardinal Points: Interactive Map and Compass Training Website

YonYonson - the team of rock climbing, fell running and walking web designers David and Charlotte have released Cardinal Points a new interactive navigation resource that offers free training in essential skills.


Map and compass navigation is not a dying art: GPS is undeniably useful, but nothing beats the simple satisfaction of being confident that you can find your way armed with just a simple map and compass. Using an expansive 360 degree panorama and interactive compass, the unique online tutorials guide you through key navigational techniques; the closest thing to really being out there.


Cardinal Points is used by schools, Scouts, Duke of Edinburgh candidates and many other outdoor enthusiasts usinga panorama of the iconic Castlerigg Stone Circle near Keswick where the stones provide perfect focus points to orientate the user. "Navigation can be a tricky subject. This site helps users to gain confidence in a safe environment. Being able to practice the techniques again and again online is a real advantage." "We enjoy the fact that we're using cutting-edge technology to teach the ancient craft of navigation." "Most people have had a compass waved under their noses by a well-meaning relative at some point or another, and dutifully pack their map and compass when they go out walking - but we found that that few actually have the confidence to use them in a real-life situation, falling back on guidebooks and guesswork."

Technical Details

Cardinal Points is designed using ActionScript 3 and Flash CS4 - Flash can be used for more than annoying intros and banner ads. We had to dig out the old trigonometry books for this project: calculating the rotations within rotations made our heads spin! It also features a liquid layout.Graphics were created in Photoshop CS4 and Illustrator