Hope to come back as well. Always cheaper prices to be found depending upon how much leg work wants to be done.

I am sure many people have the appropriate skills to navigate w/o a compass.. Heck, I use a map and watch more than a compass myself. However,I don't think a beginner is one of them. For one ounce and $10 +/-, (and, of course, the appropriate knowledge), I don't think there is a reason to not take one...at lest IMO.

Happy trails!