[Cdt-l] Southbound Gear

[R Smith]

I agree with Voyageur that a GPS is probably the way you will want to go, as
there are so many unmarked junctions on the CDT not to mention going cross
country. If you do take a GPS you should decide on how you want to use it -
whether to load it up with waypoints from bearcreeksurvey.com or other
source and follow these, or take along the Jonathan Ley maps and learn how
to navigate using their inverted compass rose  (which is what I have done.)
You can also take a GPS just to get you to a last known 'found' location if
you get off track.  Whichever method you use, Glacier Park gives you an
opportunity to hone your GPS skills as, except for still-snowed-in sections,
the trails there are easy to follow and you can practice without (too much)
fear of getting lost.  The Bob will  be your test. 

 

You may not want to take a bear canister, at least initially. Check with the
park service before you leave to see if there is any place where you will
need one.  Otherwise, every campsite has a place to hang your food. The Bob
also has adequate trees for hanging food.

 

Lastly, make sure your compass is round, not rectangular. The latter have
been known to cause intestinal blockage in grizzlies.

 

Ron

 

 

From: cdt-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:cdt-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Scott Piddington
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 7:48 PM
To: cdt-l at backcountry.net
Subject: [Cdt-l] Southbound Gear

 

Hi Fuzzy,

Nice list. The GPS is a matter of choice and it has been debated here from
time to time. I had never carried a GPS til the CDT and I am glad I did. The
first few days I tried not to use it. I suppose had I walked with map in
hand all the time and looked at it every few minutes I might have been OK.
Instead I would look at the map at a junction or when I got that feeling
that I was no longer going the right direction or on the right route. There
are many junctions with obscure roads and path that are not marked or with
missing, knocked over, blown down markings. Eventually I came around to
turning the GPS on after passing a questionable junction just to see if I
was still heading in the right direction. If all looked good, I would turn
it off. If not, along with ma & compass, I might use it to get back on
course or forge ahead on an alternate, established or not. I think I spent
far less time misplaced trying to figure where I was and where I needed to
be. Can you get by with just maps? Sure. There is no doubt that I would have
covered fewer miles each day due to time spent deciphering map & compass. I
was solo nearly the whole time. The GPS helped with my peace of mind. What
ever way you go, have a blast and remember to find something to shout about
every day!

Voyageur

 


  _____  


From: "david at thefuzzymonkey.net" <david at thefuzzymonkey.net>
To: cdt-l at backcountry.net 
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 6:25 PM
Subject: [Cdt-l] Southbound Gear

 

Hello,

 

OK, I've been quietly reading along and preparing for my hike this year. I'm
wondering if anyone cares to comment on my gear selection for my southbound
trek?  More specifically am I missing anything major? Should one really
carry a gps? or are map and compass enough? Is there anything else I might
have missed? http://thefuzzymonkey.net/?p=2233

 

Thank you

 

Fuzzy Monkey

david at thefuzzymonkey.net

 


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