Measuring distance

[spartacus53]

Let's say you were camping and you wanted to build a rope bridge across a mid sized river. How you you be able to know what length rope would be needed? Answer to follow

 

[spartacus53]

I did see that several took the time to read with no answer, so here it is.

You use what is known as the Napoleon method. Stand at the edge of the bank and place either hand over your brow and line up the opposite bank. Then just turn 45 degrees and make a reference point on land and pace it out. Almost the same principal as in playing golf

 

[Real de Tayopa Tropical Tramp]

Hi Spartacus: You forgot to add the locking in data. As it is, it is variable.

Don Jose de La Mancha

 

[truckinbutch]

Hi Spartacus: You forgot to add the locking in data. As it is, it is variable.

Don Jose de La Mancha

Don't think I want to risk my life on his good advice .
Jim

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Hi Spartacus: You forgot to add the locking in data. As it is, it is variable.

Don Jose de La Mancha LOL! Agreed. This is when I wade

Don't think I want to risk my life on his good advice .
Jim

 

[Skywola]

I do not think I want to try that either . . . . :P

"Stand at the edge of the bank and place either hand over your brow and line up the opposite bank. Then just turn 45 degrees".

If you are facing the divide, be it a canyon or water, and you turn only 45 degrees, and walk, you will soon fall over the side!

Joking aside though, easiest way to do this is use trigonometry. That is one of the methods surveyors and astronomers use to ascertain distance. If you use the Pathagorean method, a^2 + b^2 = c^2, you could site a point on the opposite shore, walk along the bank until you have reached a point that is exactly 45 degrees in relation to the sited point, (provided that the bank is even and parallel) and then you would have your distance. That is probably what he is trying to say.


In a 45/45 degree triangle, the hypotenuse would be the distance to the original point from your final position. The two other sides would be the distance from the first siting point to the place you were originally standing, and the other side would be the distance you walked to get to a 45 degree angle, both sides being equal.