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

[Peter Necarsulmer]

Ned. Speaker of truth, wisdom and experience.  EVERYONE SHOULD listen and abide, even on well-marked and populated trails.  One serious "I am lost" experience can really ruin your day, even your life. 

Escargot

Peter Necarsulmer
necarsulmer at mac.com


> On Apr 11, 2016, at 9:19 AM, Ned Tibbits <ned at mountaineducation.org> wrote:
> 
> 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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