[pct-l] Navigation Skills? // Re: Pct-L Digest, Vol 100, Issue 9

[jcil000-hiker at yahoo.com]

I've seen poor advice posted on this board regarding navigation skills.Specifically, I've seen ignorant advice stating that a packer doesn't needto worry about navigation on the PCT because "you can't get lost."
I wanted to help those of you wondering about the subject with someadvice: you need to learn how to navigate using a map/compass ANDa gps. And keep in mind, most outdoors experts consider the map/compassthe primary tool of navigation and the gps as a secondary back up.
Navigation is simply the art of not getting lost. And people do die once gettingoff trail. If a packer is following the single track, then chances are in his favor.But once off that track for whatever reason, you can get into trouble.
The following links might offer some insight. In both cases, the backpacker diedonce off the trail and lost. They're not the only cases. 
The first link takes you to the case of John Donovan who went missing inthe mountains above Palm Springs, CA, while north bounding on the PCT.He was missing for one year before being found by other hikers.Death on San Jacinto Peak

  
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Death on San Jacinto Peak
 The search for John Donovan had hit a dead end. Until a pair of lost hikers found a miracle clue.  |   |

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The second link takes you to a more recent backpacker death that happenedwhen a woman went off train while north bounding the Appalachian Trail in Maine.She was missing for two years before being found nearly a mile off trail by a land survey team.
Geraldine Largay died of exposure on Appalachian Trail, autopsy finds - The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

  
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Geraldine Largay died of exposure on Appalachian Trail, autopsy finds - The...
 The remains found this month are confirmed to be those of the Tennessee woman.  |   |

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In both cases, navigation skills were lacking. John Donovan was a notoriouslyunskilled person in navigation according to those who knew him.  Geraldine Largaydied just 3,000 feet off the trail in dense forrest while unable to find her way despitehaving prepared her trip in minute detail as far as rest stops, re-supply, and gear.But I couldn't find anything in her story that related to her navigation gear. 
Be safe. Learning the map / compass isn't really hard to do. Buy a good one for $70.Then using a self taught book, go learn to use it in your local county park. You don't even need to take a formal class.