Re: [Philmont]: GPS

There is an important point here. If taking a GPS, make sure you are
familiar with UTM. Being a boater, I was not and was only familiar with
Lat/Lon. In base camp the night before we hit the trail, I tried to set
some waypoints based on our trek. Of course I could do no pre-planning
because of the fire changes. Anyway, it took me a LONG time to understand
that the maps were in UTM. I was about to give up and leave the unit behind
and then discovered the UTM setting in the unit. It did take me a while to
get used to the change.

It is important to not use the GPS as a crutch. It is a nice security
blanket and a fun toy, but the boys need to develop and rely on each others
map and compass skills. In my case, I would quiz the boys during break to
find our exact (not really) spot on the maps based on our current GPS
position and/or elevation. And it was fun at the end of the day to look at
the path we hiked earlier. The other fun thing to monitor was hiking speed.
It is amazing the difference between uphill and downhill.

Alan Hamm
Bethesda, MD

----- Original Message -----
From: <KellyJ127@aol.com>
To: "Multiple recipients of list philmont" <philmont@troop47.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2003 5:55 PM
Subject: [Philmont]: GPS

> The Philmont Interactive Ranger is a CD that has all the Philmont
topographic
> maps and trails. You can buy this from the Tooth of Time trading post at
> Philmont. You can also call and order the CD for your trek preplanning.
The
> cost was $49. It is easy to do trail profiles and to get GPS readings.
The
> CD has the GPS readings in UTM. The Philmont paper maps also use UTM.
This
> is an easy way to locate a position as the ranch is thus divided into 1 km
> squares. The Philmont Interactive Ranger was developed by MapTrails.
>
> Jack Kelly
> Troop 127
> Phoenix, AZ
>
>
>
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------
> Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org
> Subscribe/Unsubscribe at http://usscouts.org/lists/
> Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp
> -------------------------------------------------------
> Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com
> Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com
> List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp
> List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com
> -------------------------------------------------------
> As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
> Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
> loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
> cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
> -------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

-------------------------------------------------------
Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org
Subscribe/Unsubscribe at http://usscouts.org/lists/
Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp
-------------------------------------------------------
Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com
Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com
List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp
List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com
-------------------------------------------------------
As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
-------------------------------------------------------

 
Received on Wed Mar 12 16:54:45 2003