Type of Compass for navigation in Himalayas

[Dzung]

Hi,

I have an Aussie compass which is balanced for Zone 5, the Southernmost. The Himalayas are in Zone 1. I was told my zone 5 compass might be inadequate for navigation in the Himalayas (loss of accuracy). Think of purchasing a zone 1 compass in Kathmandu.
How many rupees does a standard zone 1 compass cost? and from what store can I get one?

Thanks

[Daniel]

Dzung,
I am not too sure about compasses good for Nepal, but there are certaninly plenty in the multitude of shops in Thamel. Prices for new ones would be similar to the west as they are most likely imported or left-overs from other turists, in wich case they may be somewhat cheaper.
My question is, do you need one? are you going to do real wilderness trekking? Totally off the beaten track? For most of the treks, certainly for the treks in the Everest, Langtang, Annapurna areas, you do not need a compass at all.
There again if you do climbing, total wilderness trekking etc, than it would be useful.
Cheers
Daniel

[Dzung]

Daniel,

I am planning to spend my first few weeks on Annapurna Circuit, and Annapurna Sanctuary as an independent trekker. Then I will do my leg work around Kathmandu to investigate a trip to Kanchenjunga Base Camp, both the north and south faces of Kanchenjunga including side trips to Glaciers. Hopefully I will end up with a small friendly Service Guide and like-minded trekkers. If no luck Everest-Gokyo route will be an alternative.
Trek notes, map/s, compass, and a GPS are the must on my gear list.

Cheers

[tristgo]

Might be worth checking out:

http://www.naturalnavigator.com

[Petrus]

Suunto makes a compass where the magnet is around the bearing, not the needle. They call it "global" and it is not affected by the magnetic inclination. Thus it works perfectly at all zones. If you can find one of those it would serve you everywhere.

[yakshaver]

Daniel,

I am planning to spend my first few weeks on Annapurna Circuit, and Annapurna Sanctuary as an independent trekker. Then I will do my leg work around Kathmandu to investigate a trip to Kanchenjunga Base Camp, both the north and south faces of Kanchenjunga including side trips to Glaciers. Hopefully I will end up with a small friendly Service Guide and like-minded trekkers. If no luck Everest-Gokyo route will be an alternative.
Trek notes, map/s, compass, and a GPS are the must on my gear list.

Cheers


As Daniel says, for the likes of Everest-Gokyo, Annapurna, or Langtang, there is no need for a compass or a GPS. The trails are clear and large, you go though villages mostly, and you can ask any of the locals, lodge owners etc, for dirrections. It is not like you go though some wilderness.

I have not done Kanchenjunga BC, so I can't comment on that with any amount of authority. My hunch is you must to it with some support staff (guide or porter-guide etc), so what would be the need of a GPS there?

[Petrus]

I also have to say that during my 6 longesh treks in Nepal I have never needed (or even felt a need) a compass or GPS for navigation, the landmarks and routes are so obvious. A foggy day on a glacier might be different, though, but maybe it would be wise not to be there?