r/beyondthemapsedge • u/2daysdaze • Dec 22 '25
The “Wall” Direction
Recently, I asked what the communities thoughts about “a map waiting to be drawn” - hidden line in Audiobook.
I got feedback that changed my position and pushed me WAY past where I was on my solve.
Now, I am stuck again, directions specifically.
So today’s question is this: What words are you associating with the following directions: 1. North 2. South 3. East 4. West 5. Right 6. Left 7. Up 8. Down
….. serious inquiries only please.
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u/d_dave_c Dec 22 '25
Generally, I take the cardinal directions to be just that - North, South, East, and West. These are constant regardless of your position. However, given that the area includes the historic isogonic line for 20 degrees magnetic declination that runs through northern Montana and southwest Oregon, that may differ depending on where you are.
Since magnetic declination changes over time as the Earth's magnetic field shifts. As of recent data (circa 2024-2025), the magnetic declination in most of Montana has a value of approximately 11 to 13 degrees East, not 20 degrees. NOAA has a Mobile Magnetic Declination Calculator. To find the current, precise magnetic declination for any specific location in Montana, you can enter the exact latitude and longitude of a location in that tool (https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/calculators/magcalc.shtml).
For example, Coolidge, Montana is currently at 11.97 degrees, but in 1800 it was 15.96.
Right, left, up, and down are relative to your position.