[pct-l] MAPS

[surferskir at aol.com]

I am  a part time resident of Mammoth Lakes.
21 June I was day hiking the Duck Pass out of Lake Mary in the Mammoth Lakes area, about 1.5 miles from the trailhead, and I ran into a gentleman (didn't get his name, trail or otherwise), PCT thru hiker, who asked,  "How much further to Reds Meadows"
I replied, "you are on the wrong trail if you are trying to get ot Reds Meadows.  You are about 7 miles off".
He asked, "Isn't this the PCT?"
"No", I said.  You are about 5 trail miles off the PCT.  You should have taken the left fork at the trail split below Duck Lake.  Don'tyou have a map?"
He replied, "Yes on my cell phone, but the battery died abut 4 days ago".

All of which brings up the point:  why don't people have maps with them anymore?  (I doubt if the guy could use a compass with a map).  GET A MAP and take it with you.  
I have a GPS and a cell phone.  But I still hike with a paper map and a compass. Even though I haven't used the compass in years.  
If anyone reading this site gets anything out of this site information it is TAKE A MAP. Learn how to read it at least.  Don't assume that every trail junction will be marked.

P.S. Also ran into the hiking celloist and his support Emma on their way to Mammoth for their next concert.  Nicecouple.

--Dennis--