|
View previous topic :: View next topic |
What do you use for staying found and knowing where you are? |
Topo Maps + GPS |
|
39% |
[ 13 ] |
GPS Only |
|
0% |
[ 0 ] |
Topo Maps + Compass |
|
30% |
[ 10 ] |
Topo Maps + Compass + Beacon ( SPOT etc) |
|
0% |
[ 0 ] |
Topo Maps + GPS + Beacon (SPOT etc) |
|
0% |
[ 0 ] |
Other |
|
30% |
[ 10 ] |
|
Total Votes : 33 |
|
Author |
Message |
desertgirl
Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ
|
Posted: 6/2/2008, 12:18 pm Post subject: What do you use for staying found and knowing where you are? |
|
|
|
|
The recent debate & Suz's post about a poll got me thinking this would be a great poll _________________ Photos: http://www.pbase.com/desertgirl/galleries
Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
PageRob
Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 859 Location: Page, Az.
|
Posted: 6/2/2008, 5:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
I voted other. I primarily rely on memorized landmarks. I will usually carry a map if the area is new to me, but generally will not use a compass, as my internal one has not lead me wrong yet...but I do have one with me, just to be sure. _________________ Anywhere is within walking distance if you spend the time. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
IGO
Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 4144 Location: Las Vegas
|
Posted: 6/2/2008, 5:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
Lay of the land. Understanding "what makes this place tick" is the best way of staying found; for me anyway. _________________ "Surely all God's people, however serious or savage, great or small, like to play. Whales and elephants, dancing, humming gnats, and invisibly small mischievous microbes - all are warm with divine radium and must have lots of fun in them." John Muir |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Davis2001R6
Joined: 12 Dec 2003 Posts: 5591 Location: Italy
|
Posted: 6/2/2008, 6:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
Map only, if that. Never carried a compass. A lot of research studying the trails ahead of time. I stick mostly to trails, not too much off trail stuff. Also taught myself most of the time, that if it feels like I'm off, I'm OFF trail, go and backtrack to where you know you were last on the trail. The times I've tried to shortcut back to where "I think" the trail goes, usually ended up being an even longer detour. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Hnak
Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 1766 Location: Prescott, AZ
|
Posted: 6/2/2008, 8:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
Sometimes a map, rarely a compass. I only use my GPS units to find my way to an obscure trail head across the spider web of roads on the Navajo rez. Also I read books, trail guides, other peoples descriptions. And sometimes I just wander around... _________________ The world is older and bigger than we are. This is a hard truth for some folks to swallow. —EDWARD ABBEY |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Shawn I'll sell you map to Lost Dutchman mine!
Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 2592 Location: Ahwatukee, AZ
|
Posted: 6/3/2008, 4:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
I have to agree with the "map only" set, although I recently acquired a snazzy GPS and have been on the learning curve and probably won't leave home without it again. I love the USGS Topo's, paper copies and carry them on serious hikes (had ten of them in the Wind River Mtn's one trip).
I find I only get lost when I think I know exactly where I am. _________________ The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
evenstar
Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 5548 Location: SCW by way of CA
|
Posted: 6/3/2008, 5:49 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
I pull into the nearest gas station and ask, "Where the pumpkin am I?" Been problem on occasion in Mexico! _________________ John Richardson and Richie Rich, El Perro de Playero
http://members.tripod.com/~evenstar/index.html
http://www.arizonahikers.com
When the Man waked up he said, "What is Wild Dog doing here?" And the Woman said, "His name is not Wild Dog anymore, but the First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always. Take him with you when you go hunting."
--Rudyard Kipling, from Just So Stories, 1902 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
sbkelley
Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 284 Location: Tempe, AZ
|
Posted: 6/3/2008, 9:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
Be interesting to get Tommy's opinion on this one...
Quote: |
that if it feels like I'm off, I'm OFF trail, go and backtrack to where you know you were last on the trail |
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
desertgirl
Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
fairweather8588
Joined: 30 Dec 2003 Posts: 716
|
Posted: 6/5/2008, 11:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
Sometimes I'll bring a map if I'm unfamiliar with the area, but I can't really remember the last time that I brought a compass along (or if I even own one). My Geko GPS doesn't do too much in terms of navigation but it's a fun toy to tell my average speed etc. _________________ But let the mind beware, that though the flesh be bugged, the circumstances of existence are pretty glorious
Kerouac |
|
Back to top |
|
|
AFScout80
Joined: 16 May 2007 Posts: 82 Location: Colorado
|
Posted: 6/7/2008, 7:43 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
I traded my GPS to a Navajo woman for a bunch of turquoise jewelry on the Res last fall after a GC trip---she definetely got the better end of the deal. I wanted to get back to the basics and rely solely on traditional navigational skills; map and compass. I guess you don't really need a compass on well known trails, but I frequent off-trails occasionally so it's more critical to know where you are and I was getting too comfortable with my GPS. This year? I'll trade my TV/computer/X-box for a Swiss Army knife. Sweet. _________________ "Much is not dared because it seems hard, much seems hard because it is not dared" |
|
Back to top |
|
|
PageRob
Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 859 Location: Page, Az.
|
Posted: 6/7/2008, 8:35 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
AFScout80 wrote: |
I'll trade my TV/computer/X-box for a Swiss Army knife. Sweet. |
You know, it just so happens I have an extra Swiss Army Knife laying around... _________________ Anywhere is within walking distance if you spend the time. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
oliverr99
Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Posts: 632 Location: Glendale
|
Posted: 6/7/2008, 6:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
So do I.....(pm me). lol
I don't have the money to buy a GPS, so I rely on landmarks or compass, or map. Usually I stay on trail and I don't wonder off. If I do want to, my friend will usually stay on the trail so I know where she is. _________________ Anne
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" -- Dr. Seuss |
|
Back to top |
|
|
MikeInFHAZ
Joined: 15 Feb 2004 Posts: 1401 Location: location location
|
Posted: 6/7/2008, 11:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
IGO wrote: |
Lay of the land. Understanding "what makes this place tick" is the best way of staying found; for me anyway. |
I got sort-of side tracked once, in the Mazatzals which I think is a very primitive place and easy to get turned around. Ever since then, I have been much more keen to my surroundings and have had better success at navigation even off-trail without compass or GPS. A map and some good eyes makes a great set of tools. Hiking in the lesser known canyons in the Supes has been a very good classroom... maybe I have that inner compass that Liz mentioned. _________________ http://www.arizonahikers.com/board/albums/albwb18/BRIDGE.sized.jpg
bridge hammock, quilts and tarp (all DIY)
what i do |
|
Back to top |
|
|
IGO
Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 4144 Location: Las Vegas
|
Posted: 6/8/2008, 6:15 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
I've been lost in places that start and stop in a straight line. Stuff happens. But understanding that I started my walk by heading west and that harder stone that caps softer will make sheer cliffs and that volcanic will make tunnel shoots and that limestone can wedge you in all pending on slope and an areas annual rain fall averages helps me know what kind of real-estate I can expect to find around the next corner. Sun rises in the east and sets in the west and approaching mid day I fix on something distant to landmark. Rivers go downhill and when little water starts to collect people start living next to it. This AND a good map is part of the art of orienteering. Preaching to the choir here I'm sure but understanding your environment is the best way to stay found.
I think many if not most of us could be blind-folded and dropped into a strange wilderness and within a couple hours be able to figure out where we are. That is, if we've ever fancied visiting a location enough to have looked into its geography and topography. ( I bet the Yosemite group found out the round valleys are created by glaciers forced through ganite before they hiked there. Amazing how much one can do with that little bit of knowledge) These orientation skills don't make us know our exact location; they let us know how to move in a particular land to find a logical out. Still, with the best of Orienteering skills I have never been lost but I've been temporarily displaced for several days on end. LOL. _________________ "Surely all God's people, however serious or savage, great or small, like to play. Whales and elephants, dancing, humming gnats, and invisibly small mischievous microbes - all are warm with divine radium and must have lots of fun in them." John Muir |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Back to top
|
|