[pct-l] Getting lost

[Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com]

I got lost twice last year. Once was on the PCT. The guide book map  
didn't help. I looked at it forever and it just made no sense. That's  
because I was lost! Duh! What helped was knowing I was going  
generally north and that an east-west highway was coming up. As long  
as I continued north, I'd have to cross that highway sooner or later.  
And I did. Plus I found ice cream along the way!

My friend, who had a map and compass and was in the snow a lot wrote  
in his journal something like, "I went over the wrong pass today. Not  
that it makes any difference."

What no map seems to help with are the little things. Like the trail  
branches off and you aren't sure which is the right way. Then you  
find out one way just leads to a campsite or a toilet.

Eventually you get really good at getting the feel for the PCT and  
you can tell you're going the right way just by the character of the  
trail. All those crazy side trails whenever you get near some lakes  
in Oregon and Washington no longer flummox you.

The PCT isn't that difficult to follow so long as you are paying  
attention.