finallyme

What is a map? Ok we know what a map is - but what is a map that doesn't show half of the trails? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Then what good is a map when off trail? Then say what good is a map with no trails on it? My GPS has a built in compass that points to true north. But if you are lost in the fog and have a map and all you know is which way is north, you still have no positional information with just a compass. You don't even know your altitude. I pulled out the map in the rain repeatedly and it was no help - zero - zilch.

I did compass courses as a boy scout and I've been orienteering . <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> In open country its a fun skill to have. Now I want you to imagine that we're going fishing in a mountain stream at 7000 feet elevation. We park the truck, mark a waypoint, take a bearing, mark your map, etc. Now walk down a winding hillside half a mile to a stream with limited visibility and then walk down stream fishing for three hours. Now when its time to leave you are not going to walk back up the stream, you're going to hike up and back towards your vehicle. My GPS knows where it is. Can you locate it with your map and compass? Short answer - no you can't because you were fishing and didn't constantly update your map. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Maybe I'm wrong? But I'd rather carry the weight in spare batteries than in a compass. I'd also rather have a google space shot than a topo anyway, with way points written on it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />