Re: [Philmont]: GPS

Good evening.

No backpacking tonight, so might as well join the fun. I am writing 1,154 miles from Mt. Baldy - at least that's the distance from my driveway.

I would definitely take the trekking poles over the GPS. To mix controversies, I would take a GPS on the trail over a cell phone. Also, I would drop some other items from my pack that I took to Philmont last year before I dropped the GPS.

The GPS is fun. You can stand on Baldy, the Tooth of Time, etc., and show the scouts "the church parking lot is this way, X miles away," or "Shiloh National Battlefield is that way, Y miles away." Or, "base camp is that way, Z miles away" (Wouldn't make that observation on the Tooth of Time - kind of silly at that point.)

The GPS is a nice backup to the map and compass. Map and compass work requires the ability to take three dimensional observations and apply them to a two dimensional map. Some people have this skill; some don't. We had some skilled map readers on our trek, so they could figure out the way to go with just the map and compass. If you had a weakness on your crew in this area, then the GPS provides backup confirmation of your location. For GPS navigation, all you need to do is apply two dimensional coordinates from the GPS to the two dimensional coordinates on your map.

The GPS can serve as your clock.

If you don't run it all the time, you can easily get by with one set of batteries. I had more trouble with my headlamp than with my GPS on this account. On the other hand, you can have difficulty getting your location if you are in the forest and not in the open.

The GPS can help if you need to send for help. Suppose you have an emergency, and need to send runners for help. With a GPS, you can send your exact location to help, not just "about here" on a map.

David K. Palmer
SM Olympia (Wash.) BSA Troop 266
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Mick Meyer
  To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
  Sent: Saturday, January 03, 2004 11:54 AM
  Subject: [Philmont]: GPS

  Hi:

  Costco has Magellan GPS units for $198. Is this a good investment for Philmont? Or should I instead spend the money as a down payment on trekking poles for two Scouts and one adult? The Scouts enjoy using the GPS in a real-life situation. Seems like a good teaching opportunity.

  Best regards for 2004

  Mick Meyer

  Tidewater Council

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Received on Mon Jan 5 22:09:34 2004