[philmont] GPS vs Map and Compass

 
GPS is used for more than "recreational purposes" at Philmont, or anywhere
else in the outdoors. Think about trying to navigate the gulf coast area
after Katrina.
 
Our trek #7 through the Valle Vidal in 2006 was during "Extreme Fire Danger,
EVERYWHERE".
For those of you who haven't enjoyed a trek through the Valle, the intent is
to leave no trace. There are not marked trails that any Tenderfoot, or city
slicker, could follow. You plan each day's hike the good old fashioned way,
"Where do you guys want to hike today?" Of course, each day's destination
was firm, only the route was at the choosing of the crew. The crew leader had
to file a hiking plan each day that detailed the grids their crew would be
traversing. This was to allow PhilSAR and staff to quickly locate crews to
remove them from any advancing fire danger. The true beauty of the wilderness
opens up when you hike without being bound to established trails.
 
As lead advisor I had a GPS with not just our campsites, but all sectional
points of interest. If we had to move in a hurry due to fire or other
emergencies, I knew we had multiple options (i.e., Plan B) available. If you need
PhilSAR the messengers could give them your coordinates. Map and compass is a
great training tool, but don't count on it exclusively in life or death
situations. The crew never used GPS, only maps and compasses. I never used it
for navigation, although I did track our daily hikes. The crew never misplaced
themselves, and we never had any emergencies to contend with, but as with
all adult positions of leadership you must, "Be Prepared".
 
 
In a message dated 8/27/2007 11:08:55 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
philmontjohn@yahoo.com writes:

Kevin Cutts
 
 
PS. GPS is only to be carried on a Philmont trek for recreational purposes.
I would never think to carry one for navigational use...
 
*****************************************************************
 
Dear Kevin,
 
I would! That is what the system is for. Sorry, Kev, after all the banter
between Mark and me I just could not help myself.
 
But I do know what you mean and almost agree with you. If we don't teach
Scouts or conversely, let the Scouts teach us, then we are still trying to
light a fire with flint and steel. It's a fun thing to do, but matches sure are
nice also.
 
I'll never forget my old Scoutmaster walking up to a group of us trying to
light a fire in the rain. He asked in his broken English (as a native of
Denmark) "why don't youse boys try flint and steel". We all looked at each other
sort of bumfounded and he whipped out an overly full Zippo and fired the
thing off with a six inch flame and lit our fire.
 
He then smiled and walked away.
 
Flint and steel. You bet.
 
GPS for recreation? You bet. For navigation? You bet.
 
John LeBlanc

 
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Received on Tue Aug 28 05:27:06 2007