[Philmont]: GPS

Doug's idea of using the GPS to create personalized trail profiles is an interesting extra, one I had not considered (I'm still getting used to email). Other than that, although I confess I know next to nothing about the technology, I don't see the need to carry one in the Philmont backcountry, when you have a map and compass (trail signs, other people, landmarks, staffed camps, etc.).

I only purchased a cell phone in 2004 just before taking a group on a canoe trek in the Adirondacks (Sabattis Adventure Camp, Patriot's Path Council-well worth checking out). I thought it would go over better telling a mom "We couldn't get a signal", rather than "We probably couldn't have gotten a signal anyway", while describing how her son escaped serious injury through the application of Wilderness first aid, preparation and common sense. The ability to "Call 911" is cold comfort when such aid can be hours away. Through preparation and common sense, we had no injuries in any case, electronic gizmos or no.

Bill Sheehan, ASM
Troop 55, Pitman, NJ
Philmont '70,'72, Autumn Adventure '01,'03,'05 and hopefully, '06

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Received on Mon Feb 6 11:09:14 2006