Re: Using digital maps/navigation in backcountry?
Posted: Fri May 05, 2017 10:30 am
I currently carry a Suntastic solar panel on my pack lid to charge my iPhone, Steripens, camera batteries, flashlight batteries and GPS batteries if I have one for trips longer than a few days. Since I am usually backpacking with my wife and son I can justify the weight of the solar verses carrying more batteries. We use 3 usb charged Steripens and recharge them about every 5 or so days. The phone provides useful navigation, occasional phone calls when closer to cell sites, entertainment with music, games and downloaded books to read. It is easy to recharge with the solar panel.
I like to carry a paper map of my planned route. I also have a compass. I like to preload topographic maps for all of the Sierras on a app for my phone. The maps are useful for times when I may deviate from the planned route. I also want the maps for those times when I am just out day hiking and my not happy prepared by printing and packing a larger map.
My Garmin can show maps but the interface and screen size don't compare to the quality of the displayed maps on my iPhone. I only carry the Garmin for those times when I plan not to be following a regular trail. Eventually I may only use the iPhone, paper maps and compass and leave the Garmin at home. I think the option to add satellite imagery to the topo maps can really help to understand more about the terrain. I would love to have an offline Google Earth like app that I could use on my phone without Internet access. I love using Google Earth at home to fly through areas I have hiked or would like to.
Last year we spent five days off trail and the GPS or iPhone was a useful confirmation of our current location on the map. I have had other times backpacking or day hiking when we didn't pay attention and ended up in places other than planed. The map and compass were very useful for plotting a route to get back to where we intended to be.
I learned my basic map and compass navigation skills as part of becoming an Eagle scout. I grew up in Michigan and didn't appreciate the affects of topography on navigation until I move to Reno and started hiking in the Sierras back in the 90's. There are several times when we thought we could shortcut some trail miles by route finding over a pass. Sometimes successful but other times we had to turn back when the topography became impossible to cross.
I like to carry a paper map of my planned route. I also have a compass. I like to preload topographic maps for all of the Sierras on a app for my phone. The maps are useful for times when I may deviate from the planned route. I also want the maps for those times when I am just out day hiking and my not happy prepared by printing and packing a larger map.
My Garmin can show maps but the interface and screen size don't compare to the quality of the displayed maps on my iPhone. I only carry the Garmin for those times when I plan not to be following a regular trail. Eventually I may only use the iPhone, paper maps and compass and leave the Garmin at home. I think the option to add satellite imagery to the topo maps can really help to understand more about the terrain. I would love to have an offline Google Earth like app that I could use on my phone without Internet access. I love using Google Earth at home to fly through areas I have hiked or would like to.
Last year we spent five days off trail and the GPS or iPhone was a useful confirmation of our current location on the map. I have had other times backpacking or day hiking when we didn't pay attention and ended up in places other than planed. The map and compass were very useful for plotting a route to get back to where we intended to be.
I learned my basic map and compass navigation skills as part of becoming an Eagle scout. I grew up in Michigan and didn't appreciate the affects of topography on navigation until I move to Reno and started hiking in the Sierras back in the 90's. There are several times when we thought we could shortcut some trail miles by route finding over a pass. Sometimes successful but other times we had to turn back when the topography became impossible to cross.