[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

[pct-l] GPS, is it worth it?



Normally I would say no, you do not need a GPS. I very rarely use one
anywhere. However, I hiked the PCT on the north side of Big Bear Lake last
month and having a GPS took a lot of uncertainty out of navigation. Using
the PCT trace and GPS waypoints Matt Maxon posted to Topo!'s MapXchange
(www.topo.com), and adding a few more for switchbacks, I just moved from one
point to another. Yes, you can normally navigate by terrain, but in heavy
trees there's not much terrain to see. It was very nice to just go to each
point in order, especially with 4 feet of snow on the ground. But, if you
leave with the herd, you should have footprints to follow. Note, too, that a
few hikers have had trouble navigating in the San Jacinto area last week
because of heavy snow. 

AsABat