SummitPost.org

Bombchaser wrote:

mrchad9 wrote:

tazz wrote:IMO GPS is backup only.

Yes. It's a backup and a toy. No substitute for knowing how to use a map.

It's a toy if you are not proficient with it. This is 2010, people use GPS's. I use one in my line of work daily.

Yes- I use them too, in whiteout conditions and when in woods in the winter. But I'm careful to look at my surroundings too and not depend on it. A GPS makes navigation much quicker and easier in certain situations, but it would be foolish to depend too much on one.

In 2006 I was on Ben Nevis in a complete whiteout. We couldn't even see the ground vs the sky. We had no GPS, but made it down safely with a map and compass, even with no visibility. There's no chance we'd have made it if I'd always depended on GPS prior to that trip.

I had forgotten my compass in my hotel room, but luckily purchased one at the visitor center. I thought it a bit expensive at the time, turned out to be the best 10 pounds I've EVER spent.

"Where the Fuk you headed.... Don't know, the batteries in my GPS died... Pull out your Altimeter & the Map and Compass.... My what?.......Oh we are soooooooo fkd!"

twoshuzz wrote:

+1 for map & compass.

That picture could get a lot of mileage on this site.

aedwards wrote:

twoshuzz wrote:

+1 for map & compass.

That picture could get a lot of mileage on this site.

It already has! Still good, though.

If you are not able to realize that carrying spare batteries is an obvious solution, then you shouldn't be using a GPS.

MoapaPk wrote:If you are not able to realize that carrying spare batteries is an obvious solution, then you shouldn't be using a GPS.

OK....



"Where the Fuk you headed.... Don't know, the batteries in my GPS died... Pull out the spare batteries.... My what?.......Oh we are soooooooo fkd!"

The Chief would make for a very interesting one on one interview.