Re: The GPS is not the territory
Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 8:40 pm
Good words of wisdom SSSDave.
And Mr. B - nice picture!
I usually have an 8x11 map stuck in my front pants pocket which I refer to often and a full map stashed in a cargo pocket.
Years ago I read thru this little gem of a book before venturing off trail. Not long after I was meandering down Sphinx Creek on my way out and expecting to see the obvious trail which I had just left the day before. Rather than refer to my map (just like SSSDave says above) I had *assumed* (cough) that the trail would be obvious where it crosses the creek. After all, it seemed simply enough when I left the trail.
Anyway, I walked right past the trail and a fair amount beyond it. Eventually I noticed my surroundings didn't look right and my gut was telling me something was wrong. As I peered down the next headwall to descend, that little book kicked in and I came to a full stop.
A quick glance at my altimeter watch provided the altitude, a look at my map told me specifically where I was along the creek. Needless to say I turned around and marched back to the trail.
Thankfully this simple little lesson has served me well over the last half-dozen years, thus my comment about SSSDave's words of wisdom.
And Mr. B - nice picture!
I usually have an 8x11 map stuck in my front pants pocket which I refer to often and a full map stashed in a cargo pocket.
Years ago I read thru this little gem of a book before venturing off trail. Not long after I was meandering down Sphinx Creek on my way out and expecting to see the obvious trail which I had just left the day before. Rather than refer to my map (just like SSSDave says above) I had *assumed* (cough) that the trail would be obvious where it crosses the creek. After all, it seemed simply enough when I left the trail.
Anyway, I walked right past the trail and a fair amount beyond it. Eventually I noticed my surroundings didn't look right and my gut was telling me something was wrong. As I peered down the next headwall to descend, that little book kicked in and I came to a full stop.
A quick glance at my altimeter watch provided the altitude, a look at my map told me specifically where I was along the creek. Needless to say I turned around and marched back to the trail.
Thankfully this simple little lesson has served me well over the last half-dozen years, thus my comment about SSSDave's words of wisdom.