[pct-l] GPSs & compasses

[CHUCK CHELIN]

Good morning, Yoshihiro,

I believe it is unwise to encourage a wilderness hiker to rely upon GPS as
their sole – or even primary – method of navigation.  I find GPS to be very
useful and technologically appealing, but having been a GPS user since the
mid-‘90s and I know from personal experience that GPS receivers can fail so
I always carry maps and a compass; further, I know how to navigate with
them.



There is a great difference between training and education.  It’s easy for
someone to be trained to use a GPS – whether it has maps or not – but if the
GPS fails there may be no alternate capability.  It is much more difficult
and time-consuming to become educated about GPS’s place in the overall
effort to become a competent navigator under various conditions and with
wide variety of equipment.



Since I know I’m always going to have maps the redundancy of GPS mapping
does not seem to be worth the weight and expense.  In terms of overall
mission reliability I would much rather carry two simple and cheap 4-ounce
receivers than one expensive and complex 8-ounce receiver.



The good news is, with the exception of individuals hiking over extensive
snow-pack, true navigation isn’t really necessary on the PCT.  The trail is
generally well marked and well maintained so typically one can hike without
any reference to maps or coordinates.  If there is confusion – or an
inability or unwillingness to navigate – one has only to follow the herd or
wait a while for another hiker to pass by with guidance.



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 6:24 PM, Yoshihiro Murakami <
completewalker at gmail.com> wrote:

> If you buy a GPS  as like Garmin eTrex Vista HCx with an electronic
> map as one package. It is very easy to use. It works as an electronic
> map. You can see where you are. I recommend this type of GPS, since it
> is easy to use.
>
> But, if you buy a GPS as like Garmin Foretrex 401, you must learn more
> about GPS as Steel-Eye indicated, because this type of GPS cannot
> indicate maps. So, you need to know what the waypoint etc is. and how
> to cooperate with personal computer and how to use with the printed
> maps.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> which can indicate map
>
> 2010/6/15 Cate White <cwhite at mcn.org>:
> > 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
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Pct-l mailing list
> > Pct-l at backcountry.net
> > To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> > http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
> >
> > List Archives:
> > http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Sincerely
> --------------- --------------------------------------
> Hiro    ( Yoshihiro Murakami )
> HP:http://psycho01.edu.u-toyama.ac.jp
> http://picasaweb.google.co.jp/CompleteWalker/
> Backpacking for 30 years in Japan
> 2009 JMT, the first America.
> ------------------------------------------------------
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-l mailing list
> Pct-l at backcountry.net
> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
>