[pct-l] Use of GPS

[gwschenk at socal.rr.com]

---- Mary Kwart <mkwart at gci.net> wrote: 
> I wasn't saying that GPS was absolutely needed--I just found it a good tool at the appropriate time and was more useful than a map and compass. Why limit the number of useful tools that you can have?
> 
> I have been backpacking since 1971 and have not used a GPS for most of that time. I carry a GPS because it makes my life easier now and I am grateful for it.
> 

Sounds like sound reasoning.

It seems to me, that being able to navigate in the backcountry with a map and compass, or even better yet, just a map, is one of those essential skills that every backcountry traveler should have.
There'd be a much higher thruhiker success rate if long distance hikers obsessed over their skill set as much as they do the baseweight of their pack.

Gary