If you live in Washington, don’t take off into the mountains without the Green Trails Map of the area. It can get you to the trail, keep you on it, and teach you to identify the landmarks around you and your position. I have a stack of them, and I’ll often pick a trail or peak off one of them at random to explore. A great way to study an area before heading out. For a compass I have the Silva Ranger. On most outings I find the compass to be more of a toy than a necessity but I’d also never want to get lost without one.