[pct-l] GPS

[ned at mountaineducation.org]

Also, remember, when you can't see the trail because it's buried in snow, the GPS is a great back-up and priceless in the trees!

When navigating above timberline on the JMT, it is easy to see where you are going and where you've been because of the long, open valleys the trail travels up and down. This summer, hikers will encounter fields or even miles of snow while ascending and descending the trail's famous Passes. As long as you can see a distant destination to aim for, you don't have to be directly over the trail all the time. For many people, however, being so not only confirms where they are but adds a sense of security that they are not lost. We call this "gross navigation," following the right valley, ridge, shoreline, side of the creek, and so forth, rather than making sure each step is above the trail.

So, when you hit snow and can't tell where it is immediately going nor see a distant landmark it goes next to (because of trees or topography), pull out your 7.5-minute topo to verify your gross navigation (does the trail stay on this side of the creek? does it go through that low saddle? if I stay in this valley and work my way up, will I eventually see the Pass?) and don't let fear grip you just because you can't see the trail. Head forward with your eyes open looking to identify landmarks by which the trail passes along the way as shown on your map (specifically shaped meadows and lakes, bends in the creek, outcroppings of rock on the ridge , etc...) Now, with your GPS that has the trail's tracks in memory, learn how to use it to point you in the right direction (turn the unit so that it is pointing along where the trail goes forward along the track or to the next Halfmile dot). When in trees, where you sometimes can't see more than 50 feet, this is priceless to your sanity and staying found! 

If you are savvy with the map and a compass or have a good sense of direction, plod along with your senses ready to pick up on every little bit of info that might confirm your location and direction (slope of ground, bend in the creek, a sudden bowl to traverse through, a tree line's shape you can find on the map, etc). Some people are really good at this while others need the GPS. What is fantastic is that while you're using the GPS, you begin to learn how to visually identify those details mentioned above that the savvy use for map-only navigation. After a while, you begin to "see" where the trail ought to be since you've gotten trained to look for it and are realizing where the builders "usually" put them. Always hiking on dry trail, you don't have to do anything but follow it and these skills are never even thought of.



"Just remember, Be Careful out there!"

Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
    P: 888-996-8333
    F: 530-541-1456
    C: 530-721-1551
    http://www.mountaineducation.org