Pace Counting: Your Key to Wyoming Navigation

I ventured into the heart of the Wind River Range, the early light casting long shadows as I counted each step, the soft thud of my boots echoing off granite outcrops. I’d spent a quiet morning measuring my 100-pace stride on a level field near Sheridan, the dew glistening on the grass, and now I recalibrated it for the relentless, jagged slopes, my map trembling slightly in the wind as I traced routes under a sky streaked with thin, wispy clouds. The distant howl of a coyote spurred me on, and this weekend’s Compass and Courage class will polish this skill into a survival art!

How to Do a Pace Count: Start by finding a flat, open space—like your backyard or a park—and walk 100 paces at your normal hiking speed, counting each step with your right foot. Measure the distance covered (e.g., using a known length like 100 meters) to calculate your stride length, then divide by 100 for your average pace. In Wyoming’s hilly terrain, practice on slopes to adjust—shorten your count by about 20% uphill or downhill—and note this on your map. Carry a tally counter or mark with a stick every 100 paces to track totals during your class hike!

Wyoming Patriots, how do you track your steps out there? Drop your tips below! #WyomingReady #CompassAndCourage