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

[Ned Tibbits]

I find that most of our students simply don't gravitate to understanding the 
use of the map & compass and, instead, rely on written instructions 
regarding following the trail, trail junctions and signs, and geographical 
highlights like the major passes, highway crossings, town exits for 
resupply, and so forth.

Mountain Education brings that to light and teaches 
environmental/topographical awareness compared to a 3-D understanding of the 
topo map they need to have in their heads each day. After studying their 
maps over dinner and breakfast, we teach our students to begin their day 
anticipating the next trail highlight or landmark, something that stands out 
that confirms where they are, which could be a particular bend in a creek, 
an odd-shaped lake or meadow, a ridge followed by no trees, etc..

The moment that they don't see what they should be seeing, we teach them to 
stop (Stop, Think, Observe, Plan) and look around, take out their maps and 
trail descriptions, and compare what they see to what the map in three 
dimensions tells them. This is how they Stay Found!

Hikers in increasing numbers these days are relying on electronics to 
navigate by. Electronic devices do not do well if cold or wet, so should not 
be relied upon as a primary navigational tool. They can fail, break, get 
lost, or run out of power. What is between your ears, your understanding of 
where you are going based on the enjoyable views or dramatic/interesting 
scenery ahead, can't be lost and makes your trip all the more enjoyable!

Map & Compass and GPS are adjuncts, at least in my mind, to an excited and 
enjoyable understanding of the country I'm working to travel through based 
on my 3-D understanding of a topographic map and a written trail 
description.



Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education, Inc.
www.mountaineducation.org
ned at mountaineducation.org


Mission:
"To minimize wilderness accidents, injury, and illness in order to maximize 
wilderness enjoyment, safety, and personal growth, all through experiential 
education and risk awareness training."
-----Original Message----- 
From: jcil000-hiker at yahoo.com
Sent: Friday, April 08, 2016 10:38 AM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Navigation Skills? // Re: Pct-L Digest, Vol 100, Issue 9

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.
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