Pacing and Field Estimation

What is a pace?

A pace is normally counted every time the same foot touches the ground, so one pace is approximately two walking steps. Your pace length is personal and changes with terrain, slope, fatigue, footwear, and the weight you are carrying.

Find your pace length

1. Measure a straight course of 100 feet or another known distance on level ground.
2. Walk the course at a normal, comfortable speed. Count each time the same foot touches the ground.
3. Repeat the walk several times and average the number of paces.
4. Divide the known distance by the average number of paces. The result is your approximate distance per pace.

Why pace changes

• Uphill travel usually shortens a pace.
• Downhill travel may lengthen a pace, but rough ground can shorten it.
• Brush, rocks, snow, sand, mud, and darkness can change stride length.
• A heavy backpack can shorten a pace and slow travel.
• A tired Scout may walk differently late in the day than during practice.
• For better accuracy, calibrate pacing on different surfaces and slopes. Some navigators use pace beads or another counting method so they do not lose track over longer distances.

Estimating height and width

Outdoor measurement methods are estimates, not surveying techniques. They are useful for Scout exercises because they combine pacing, geometry, observation, and teamwork.

Estimating the width of an obstacle

One practical method uses equal distances and right angles. Choose a landmark directly across the obstacle. Mark a point opposite it on your side. Walk a measured distance along the bank, continue the same distance again, then move inland at a right angle until the line of sight through the middle point reaches the landmark. The inland distance will approximately equal the obstacle width when the geometry is set up correctly.

Estimating height with the felling method

Hold a straight stick vertically at arm’s length and move backward until the visible length of the stick matches the object from base to top. Keeping the bottom of the stick visually aligned with the base, rotate the stick sideways. Have a buddy mark where the apparent tip reaches the ground. Pace from the object’s base to that point for an approximate height.

Estimating height with a known reference

If a person of known height stands near an object, hold a pencil or stick at arm’s length and compare how many “person heights” fit into the object. Multiply the number of sections by the known height. Repeat the estimate from the same position to check consistency.