[pct-l] [John Muir Trail] How to avoid getting lost on a hike

[ned at mountaineducation.org]

Ah, the GPS debate...

"How not to get lost on a hike" I imagine refers to route-finding over snow? If this is the case, I have to encourage hikers to carry and know how to use a decent GPS unit with your trail's tracks installed. I am no tech-savvy person, but our Rino 530HCx units have kept us on-track when we had nothing by which to judge our position because of heavy tree cover. 

Yes, batteries die and their life is shortened by the cold, so carry more. Suddenly finding yourself "lost" is one scary thing to have to deal with out there! Take a course, watch someone's video on the subject, read the manual, but don't go out into the woods and snow this year without one. Of course, bring good 7.5-minute topo maps or Halfmile's maps (we have even been navigating by Tom Harrison's recently) along with a compass that you know how to use. But I assure you, even the old, grizzled "mountain men" out there are being challenged this year!

Oh well, off we go in a few days on another section of the Tahoe Rim (one trail that is actually harder under snow than its bigger brother, the JMT)!



"Just remember, Be Careful out there!"

Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
1106A Ski Run Blvd
South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
    P: 888-996-8333
    F: 530-541-1456
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    http://www.mountaineducation.org