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Re: Map and compass or GPS
Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2015 5:39 pm
by rlown
Cross Country wrote:The first time I was hiking in a draw and it was drizzeling (no sun). I was trying to stay to the right of the draw because it was wet. We stayed to the right 180 degrees and walked back to the canyon overlook we had seen 30-40 minutes early. Once I saw the canyon I knew what had happened.
The second time we were hiking down the dry creekbed from Avonelle Lake looking for the trail. It was rocky and formed an S there and ahead and when I saw the trail I turned left like I was supposed to but we had crossed the trail in the rocky section and the S curve slowly took as right. We hiked to the overlook of Jack Main Creek. Since we were hiking toward Hetch Hechy this was the wrong diredtion. It was June 21 and 1:00 and the sun didn't help with direction.
See, Don't move in questionable weather!
Re: Map and compass or GPS
Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2015 5:48 pm
by Cross Country
Ha Ha. I had to be to work the next day. We were between Bearup and Hetch Hetchy.
Re: Map and compass or GPS
Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2015 5:54 pm
by rlown
Cross Country wrote:Ha Ha. I had to be to work the next day. We were between Bearup and Hetch Hetchy.
For this thread, what you just said is important. If you're out there, one doesn't have to be back to work the next day if it's not safe.
Safety first. Work second.
Learn your tools. Know where you are. Hike when it's ok to do so. I could tell you boating stories (in fog) that would make you really scared.
Re: Map and compass or GPS
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2015 10:41 am
by LightRanger
I concur on the "always take a compass, but almost never use it."
I've actually used my Silva Ranger FAR more for the inclinometer for avalanche/ski stuff than I have for navigation purposes.