[pct-l] GPS

[DAVID DRUM]

At first I thought are you kidding, you don't need a GPS on the PCT, but
then I had a flashback  from 1983. A friend and I were xc-skiing in
Yellowstone, we had camped at Lonestar geyser the night before, it was a
beautiful morning sunny and warm, so a quick day ski to Shoshone Lake would
be perfect. It was 8 miles to the lake, such a nice day we wouldn't need to
bring anything, first mistake. My friends shoulder was bothering him and he
wanted to turn back, I figured we were almost to the lake, he went back, I
was off to the lake, second mistake. It started to snow, just a light snow,
the lake is so close I could feel it, I kept going, third mistake. Finally I
made it to the lake, by now it was really coming down and the fog was
rolling in. Do I stay at the lake, I was so stupid, I didn't even have
matches, just a light fleece jacket, I didn't know if I could survive the
night. So I took off back to Lonestar, probably fourth mistake. At first it
wasn't too bad I could make out landmarks, but as I gained elevation it got
worse, pretty soon I could just make out the ski tracks at my feet, picture
trying to follow a trail with a five gallon bucket on your head, only able
to see your feet, if you think a map and compass would get you out of this,
think again. I had been skiing for way too long, I knew I was lost, but I
was still following some ones ski trail so I hadn't given up getting out of
this mess. It was getting dark when I almost skied into a hot creek, I
started kicking out steps to get down to it (seven feet of snow on either
side), at least I wouldn't freeze to death. As I was working my way down to
the creek the fog was lifting and I noticed a beautiful green tent about 20
feet away, they were quite surprised,(husband and wife) invited me to
share their tent and food, wonderful people.

So moral of the story,if you never make mistakes you won't need a GPS, if
you do and get stuck in a white out it might possibly save your life,
provided you know how to use it.

Dave