Measuring, Pacing

Materials/Tools:

Determine your pace length

Pacing is a useful way to estimate a distance in the field without the need for measuring equipment. In this exercise you will determine your pace distance then determine a distance by pacing.

  1. Layout a 100' course.
  2. Walk the course 4 times recording the number of paces on the data sheet. NOTE: a pace is two steps. Walk with a normal stride. For example: 20 + 21 + 20 + 20 = 81 (Total paces)
  3. On the data sheet divide total paces by 400' to determine average pace. For example Total paces 400' ÷ 81 = 4.9 feet/pace
  4. Determine the unknown distance by pacing. Record on the data sheet (below). For example:
    34 paces X 4.9 feet/pace = 167 feet

__________ + __________ + __________ + __________ = ___________ (Total paces)

400' ÷ Total paces _________= _____________feet/pace

Walk an unknown distance and calculate the distance.

Paces _________ X _____ ft/pace = _____________ Feet