Conversations
How do you navigate?
Quote from flipflop on September 28, 2022, 3:25 pmI watch some youtube and have been watching you guys post where you go and how far you go. I am familiar with reading maps and using a compass but was wondering what you all use to plan your trips, navigate and determine your mileage. Do you use a map and compass, an app or something else.
I watch some youtube and have been watching you guys post where you go and how far you go. I am familiar with reading maps and using a compass but was wondering what you all use to plan your trips, navigate and determine your mileage. Do you use a map and compass, an app or something else.
Quote from Hikes in Rain on September 29, 2022, 1:21 pmMaps and compass. No batteries to run down. GPS and similar phone apps are useful and fun, but I always carry map and compass.
Maps and compass. No batteries to run down. GPS and similar phone apps are useful and fun, but I always carry map and compass.
Quote from nathanu on September 29, 2022, 6:42 pmSo it's starting to look like I'm the outlier here :). I keep a map and compass with me but generally as a backup. Since most of my trips are on the AT or similarly well marked trails, I tend to depend a on preparation and trail markings.
First, I use GaiaGPS to plan my route and then I print four copies of the map with my route on it. One copy goes to my wife and I write "ICE - <wifes name> <wifes mobile number>" on the back of the others. One gets left in my vehicle, either in the floorboard or attached to my visor, one stays on my person and the other goes in my pack. If I'm gone too long or miss a check-in, my wife can direct rescuers to me. If I'm separated from my pack and someone finds the pack, they can see where I was going and possibly render aid or, at the very least, get the pack back to me via my wife.
Second, I keep the map in the GaiaGPS app on my phone for quick reference and so that I can see where I am without having to triangulate with the compass (because I'm lazy).
Third, if I'm on a trail that I have a map for in Farout, I use that to see things like water sources, shelters, etc. and to read the comments that folks that have gone before me have left.
Fourth, I've just bought a copy of the AWOL Guide / AT Guide and took it on my trip from Neels Gap to Tesnatee Gap and was very impressed with it.
Probably overkill, but I like to have things to play with.
So it's starting to look like I'm the outlier here :). I keep a map and compass with me but generally as a backup. Since most of my trips are on the AT or similarly well marked trails, I tend to depend a on preparation and trail markings.
First, I use GaiaGPS to plan my route and then I print four copies of the map with my route on it. One copy goes to my wife and I write "ICE - <wifes name> <wifes mobile number>" on the back of the others. One gets left in my vehicle, either in the floorboard or attached to my visor, one stays on my person and the other goes in my pack. If I'm gone too long or miss a check-in, my wife can direct rescuers to me. If I'm separated from my pack and someone finds the pack, they can see where I was going and possibly render aid or, at the very least, get the pack back to me via my wife.
Second, I keep the map in the GaiaGPS app on my phone for quick reference and so that I can see where I am without having to triangulate with the compass (because I'm lazy).
Third, if I'm on a trail that I have a map for in Farout, I use that to see things like water sources, shelters, etc. and to read the comments that folks that have gone before me have left.
Fourth, I've just bought a copy of the AWOL Guide / AT Guide and took it on my trip from Neels Gap to Tesnatee Gap and was very impressed with it.
Probably overkill, but I like to have things to play with.
Quote from Rob6 on October 4, 2022, 10:45 pm@nathanu I wouldn't say your the outlier. I too tend to travel mostly on maintained trails and rely primarily on the blazes. I do venture off-trail occasionally, so I too carry a map and compass as a back-up, but a lot of the areas I hike, even if off-trail, have very recognizable bodies of water nearby, so I end up being able to do a lot of dead-reckoning.
For anything outside my usual haunts, a prepared route and a map & compass are musts. I have a GPS enabled smart watch that I use for tracking my distance, and I can set a start point for it to guide me back as a precaution.
@nathanu I wouldn't say your the outlier. I too tend to travel mostly on maintained trails and rely primarily on the blazes. I do venture off-trail occasionally, so I too carry a map and compass as a back-up, but a lot of the areas I hike, even if off-trail, have very recognizable bodies of water nearby, so I end up being able to do a lot of dead-reckoning.
For anything outside my usual haunts, a prepared route and a map & compass are musts. I have a GPS enabled smart watch that I use for tracking my distance, and I can set a start point for it to guide me back as a precaution.
Quote from flipflop on November 3, 2022, 9:30 pmRight now I just go on trails where they mark where you need to turn. The navigation is something that Im going to need to get into and figure out though so this is a good topic for me. Thank you all!
Right now I just go on trails where they mark where you need to turn. The navigation is something that Im going to need to get into and figure out though so this is a good topic for me. Thank you all!
by nathanu