[pct-l] Navigation Skills? // Re: Pct-L Digest, Vol 100, Issue 9

[TBrokaw at montmush.com]

Great comment.  I always carry a compass & as many printed maps as 
possible in addition to GPS or smart phone App.  It would be interesting 
to survey hikers to learn how many are using which (printed maps, smart 
phone, GPS & in what combination).  But my observations are that most thru 
hikers are using primarily smart phone.  In 2014, I carried only printed 
maps.  In 2015, I added the smart phone app.  But I learned a big lesson 
when my phone died on the trail (soaked during the storm we had in early 
April).  If I had not had printed maps as back-up, I would have been 
hiking blind (in the snow).  Fortunately, I only lost photos.  I will 
continue to carry the app but will not rely on it.

I totally agree that map & compass are a necessity.  And they are of 
little value if you don't know how to use them.  The difficulty with 
printed maps is the weight.  I wonder how many people actually carry 
printed maps?

Tom Brokaw
Corporate Project Manager
Monterey Mushrooms
777 Maher Ct
Royal Oaks, CA 95076-9014
C: 831-535-2181
O: 831-274-5520



From:   <jcil000-hiker at yahoo.com>
To:     "pct-l at backcountry.net" <pct-l at backcountry.net>, 
Date:   04/08/2016 10:43 AM
Subject:        [pct-l] Navigation Skills? //  Re: Pct-L Digest, Vol 100, 
Issue 9
Sent by:        Pct-L <pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net>



I've seen poor advice posted on this board regarding navigation 
skills.Specifically, I've seen ignorant advice stating that a packer 
doesn't needto worry about navigation on the PCT because "you can't get 
lost."
I wanted to help those of you wondering about the subject with someadvice: 
you need to learn how to navigate using a map/compass ANDa gps. And keep 
in mind, most outdoors experts consider the map/compassthe primary tool of 
navigation and the gps as a secondary back up.
Navigation is simply the art of not getting lost. And people do die once 
gettingoff trail. If a packer is following the single track, then chances 
are in his favor.But once off that track for whatever reason, you can get 
into trouble.
The following links might offer some insight. In both cases, the 
backpacker diedonce off the trail and lost. They're not the only cases. 
The first link takes you to the case of John Donovan who went missing 
inthe mountains above Palm Springs, CA, while north bounding on the PCT.He 
was missing for one year before being found by other hikers.Death on San 
Jacinto Peak

 
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Death on San Jacinto Peak
 The search for John Donovan had hit a dead end. Until a pair of lost 
hikers found a miracle clue.  |   |

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The second link takes you to a more recent backpacker death that 
happenedwhen a woman went off train while north bounding the Appalachian 
Trail in Maine.She was missing for two years before being found nearly a 
mile off trail by a land survey team.
Geraldine Largay died of exposure on Appalachian Trail, autopsy finds - 
The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

 
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Geraldine Largay died of exposure on Appalachian Trail, autopsy finds - 
The...
 The remains found this month are confirmed to be those of the Tennessee 
woman.  |   |

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In both cases, navigation skills were lacking. John Donovan was a 
notoriouslyunskilled person in navigation according to those who knew him. 
 Geraldine Largaydied just 3,000 feet off the trail in dense forrest while 
unable to find her way despitehaving prepared her trip in minute detail as 
far as rest stops, re-supply, and gear.But I couldn't find anything in her 
story that related to her navigation gear. 
Be safe. Learning the map / compass isn't really hard to do. Buy a good 
one for $70.Then using a self taught book, go learn to use it in your 
local county park. You don't even need to take a formal class.
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