[pct-l] Pack Design Help

[m.karon at comcast.net (Marshall Karon)]

I need to give another input. How well I know the need to take one's 
bearings because I too have gotten lost, gone the wrong way on the trail, 
missed a turn, followed the crowd who were not on the PCT, etc. I have even 
thought my compass and map were wrong and went where I thought the trail 
was. I have made arrows in the ground to make sure I went the right way when 
getting up from a rest. I still mess up.

The point - the best equipment in the world won't help if you don't pay 
attention to what you are doing. There is no question that having a GPS, 
altimeter, etc. will allow you to know exactly where you are and how far you 
have come/need to go. And that can be useful. Or not. Even those wrong turns 
can prove to be a fabulous experience. Getting lost can be part of the 
experience. At least the PCT has signs (although sometimes not always when 
you need them). What seems most aggravating is to think you are a seasoned 
hiker only to find you are off the trail. Sort of hurts the ego. Like, "what 
was I thinking of ?". Maybe the beauty of the trail.

Marshall Karon
Portland, OR
m.karon@comcast.net

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <aztazer@netscape.net>
To: ""Marshall Karon"" <m.karon@comcast.net>; ""Michael Lissner"" 
<mlissner@benchpro.com>; <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 10:17 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Pack Design Help


> Marshall Karon wrote: "On the PCT, you really won't need a compass, GPS, 
> etc. very much, or at all."
>
> Hi all:
>
> I hiked for a while with a couple of section hikers who loved their GPS 
> units.  They each held them in their left hand and were constantly reading 
> the data and verbally comparing the readout information.
>
> I remember we once rounded a corner and had an incredible view of 
> snow-covered San Jacinto to the north.  I said "Hey guys, that's where 
> we're headed!  Look"  And they replied, almost in unison, "Just a minute, 
> we're trying to figure out how many miles per hours we're hiking."  By the 
> tome they had a chance to look up from their GPS units, the view was gone.
>
> While intended to be a humorous story, I share it to illustrate that tools 
> can sometimes become toys and may distract from the overall hike 
> experience.  If you hike the PCT, I encourage everyone to have maps (guide 
> book), the data book, Yogi's book, and a compass (and know how to use 
> them).  I thought the altimeter watches were very helpful in matching the 
> databook elevation to your current location.
>
> I agree with the other posters that 95% of the time you won't need that 
> stuff.  Most of the time you just follow the footprints of the herd.  But 
> being careful when you get to an unmarked trail junction or unclear road 
> crossing can save invaluable time.  Also, I noticed quite a few 
> thru-hikers who spent a few minutes every evening reading the 
> guidebook/Yogi pages and maps related to the trail they were covered the 
> next day so they knew what to expect and knew where the questionable 
> junctions would be.
>
> I took a wrong turn on San Jacinto and spent 3/4th of a day post-holing 
> through deep snow trying to get back to the PCT (and yes, I know Yogi 
> warns you about that turn!  lol).  I heard numerous other stories of 
> thru-hikers who got "temporarily displaced" because they didn't take the 
> two minutes it takes to stop and check their maps and compass.  Some hiked 
> 10 miles or more on the wrong trail in the wrong direction before 
> realizing their mistake.  If vertern thru-hikers can get lost, it can 
> happen to anyone.  This can be a serious problem if it causes you to run 
> low on food.
>
> If you're not proficent in map and compass work, then plan to take an 
> orienteering course before your hike.  When hiking, if you're not 100% 
> confortable that you're on the right trail or know which way to go - then 
> stop, sit down, and figure it out.  Make sure you keep your navagational 
> stuff handy and easily accessable.
>
> Lucky
>
> __________________________________________________________________
> Switch to Netscape Internet Service.
> As low as $9.95 a month -- Sign up today at 
> http://isp.netscape.com/register
>
> Netscape. Just the Net You Need.
>
> New! Netscape Toolbar for Internet Explorer
> Search from anywhere on the Web and block those annoying pop-ups.
> Download now at http://channels.netscape.com/ns/search/install.jsp