Hello, I would like to cross-post from a discussion entitled TRAVERSE & BEARING.

Doing an "exact" traverse is all about precision and measurement methodology. Since there is error inherent in all measurements, there really is no such thing as an "exact" traverse. However, there is such a thing as a well-performed and adjusted traverse. For starters, to eliminate some of the inherent error in the measurements, make sure your instruments are calibrated and tribrachs are adjusted, then make sure every tripod is plumb over the point. Redundancy in measurement is also a good practice. Turn more than just one angle and make more than one distance measurement per leg in the traverse. Average them when done or use a field software that will do it for you. Always close your traverse (finish with a foresight on the point you initially started at). Try to keep each leg in your traverse balanced (nearly equal distances for both backsight and foresight). I attached a link with some basics for you to read about....... http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/row/landsurveys/LSITWorkbook/05.pdf

It would be nice to say that "practice makes perfect" when it comes to traversing, but practice will help get you the best possible results. Also check into "least squares adjustment"

Hello again. I just wanted to take things one step further. Being precise in measurement is one thing, but making an accurate boundary determination is another. One can have the most precise traverse ever performed and lay out a boundary that is precisely in the wrong location. A sound professional opinion on boundary location is what makes land surveyors quasi-judicial in there determinations. By that I mean that all the evidence must be weighed and sometimes it may be only a tidbit of evidence that can tip the scales one way or the other when trying to retrace a boundary description. Following in the footsteps of the surveyors who came before you in establishing the description involves a bit of imagination, it is of the essence. In this you will be able to sort through all the possibilities and sleep well at night. If I don't get that "warm fuzzy feeling" about all the evidence as a whole and how I think I should monument a boundary I won't sign the survey without either doing more research or getting the opinions of my peers. It's a good thing to get involved in professional societies and their local chapters (some even have student chapters or committees). Learn from each other. That's what we are all doing here right now, isn't it?

Here is the link to the full discussion with comments...... http://landsurveyorsunited.com/forum/topics/traverse-bearing?xg_source=activity