[pct-l] GPSs & compasses

[CHUCK CHELIN]

Good morning, Cate,

I don’t know what your appetite is for GPS technology in terms of attitude,
educational background, and experience but with interest and effort you
could easily learn the key elements that you need to successfully follow a
trail-of-crumbs represented by a waypoint set, such as those offered by
HalfMile.  http://www.pctmap.net/index.html



I like HalfMile’s maps and waypoints because they display a named waypoint
at every half-mile along the PCT; the list gives the coordinates of that
waypoint; the maps and coordinates are in the preferred UTM format; and –
significantly – all is free of charge for the downloading.



A trainer at REI may or may not really know the material and/or be a good
teacher, but likely their training will be broad rather than deep, focused
upon exposing a student to what is potentially available and possible rather
than focusing on the limited basics that you need.  I advise attending the
training with a specific list of items you want to master, and absorb
anything else as interesting but not mission-critical.



Here are some things you probably will need to know:

1)      Become familiar with the menu screens that you need – not
necessarily all of them.

2)      Learn how to select between UTM and Latitude/Longitude formats via
the menus.

3)      Learn how to enter and name a waypoint – preferably in UTM format.

4)      Know how to save and name your current position as a waypoint.

5)      Become familiar enough with coordinates to know if your location is
north, south, east, or west of some other waypoint from a map or list.

6)      Know how to view all waypoints previously-entered in the GPS and
select one to “GoTo”.  Remember: some are ahead of you and some are behind
of you.

7)      Learn which screen will display your progress towards that selected
waypoint.

8)      Be able to manually plot any waypoint on a paper map.

9)      Be able to pick a place on the map and define it’s waypoint for
entry in your GPS.

10)  Practice to learn how and where you get the best satellite lock-on.



It would be nice if you could upload – or alternately, manually enter -- all
the waypoints you need for the trip into your GPS, but it’s not essential.  If
they are loaded stand at the trailhead and “GoTo” the next waypoint down the
trail then, when you reach it, “GoTo” the next one.  Otherwise, simply use
the GPS to solve your position, locate that position on the map, then “GoTo”
the closest next waypoint along the trail.



Assume the GPS course has one 4-hour lecture with lots of homework and days
and days of self-directed field lab.  Don’t assume you’ll remember what you
were told.  Don’t assume you can apply what you do remember.  Don’t assume
you will trust what the GPS tells you when you believe differently.  Practice
and contrive ways to use the GPS in situations where you know exactly where
you are going, thereby learning to trust what it indicates.  Learn the
basics and don’t let others derail you into uncomfortable methods until you
are ready and trustful.  Always rationalize your last-known position on the
map, and be prepared to use a map and compass to proceed – or extract
yourself – if the GPS goes belly-up.  There’ll be many quizzes every day;
the final exam can only be passed only by reaching Tuolumne Meadows.



"What I hear, I forget. What I see I remember. What I do, I understand."

-- Confucius

Steel-Eye

Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965

http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye

http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09


On Tue, Jun 15, 2010 at 6:07 AM, Cate White <cwhite at mcn.org> wrote:

> Would it be foolish to think I could learn how to safely navigate with a
> GPS, map, and compass in the store at REI? Apparently my long awaited trip
> from Ashland to Tuolomne starting July 1st might involve snow. I REALLY
> don't want to alter my plans unless I have to. Whatcha think?
>
> c
>
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