compass

What in the world is going on out here?

/ Tim Burns / Leave a comment

It is the off-season. Trout fishing in the local rivers and streams closed in October. Ice fishing will not kick off until after the first of the year. So I am studying map and compass skills. I go outside and navigate to a landmark. I plot several locations on a map using UTM and then check them in the field with my GPS unit. I have been practicing using paper maps and compass as well as my Garmin GPS unit. You really do need a map and compass even with a high tech GPS unit. I think I have gotten pretty good at it.

I have read several books on the subject as well as numerous YouTube videos. This is what has begun to bother me. All the content providers state that one of the most important things to do is to leave an itinerary with someone. This is to give rescuers an idea of where to look for you if you don’t return when you should. A great idea. In older books, it is recommended that you leave the same information on your car even leave a map of your plan and any changes you might have made. Another great idea, rescuers would use your parked car as a starting point. However, in the newer books and videos, the authors strongly advise you not to do this. Why, because theaves will know that you will be away for a while and steal the contents or even have time to steal the car.

A similar issue came to light back in New Jersey. A fellow angler advised me to remove the Trout Unlimited and fishing company brand stickers off of my truck. When I asked why he stated unscrupulous people will use that as a clue as to the value of the stuff in your truck and break in.

All this makes me think that shitty people are staking out trailheads and fishing parking spots just waiting to rip you off. I thought that all us outdoors folk stick together and I was safe from this stuff out away from the city.
I guess not. What in the world is going on out here?

Am I lost?

/ Tim Burns / Leave a comment

My wife and I went for a short hike or long walk, depending on who you talk to. We walked about 5 miles out and back on a local rail trail. I used my cell phone to track and map our trip. I think a lot of people do this, which I think is great. I use a phone app called ” BackCountry Navigator”. The free version allows you to plot your trip on a topo map and save it. It gives you stats like Total time, distance and speed. The paid version gives you the ability to download different map layers and many more features. I don’t believe that Marylynn and I could have got lost on this particular trip. I really don’t believe that you could get lost on most hikes you might take in New Jersey, but you can certainly end up really far away from your car!

As I said, most of us count on our cell phones for navigation. This works great where we have cell coverage. What if the damn thing goes dead? Do you carry a paper map? A compass? Can you read a map? Do you know how to use a compass?

I recommend that we all carry a paper map and a compass. You don’t need the skill to make a trip to the north pole, but you should be able to find north. Use the map and compass to get you the the nearest road if you get turned around in the woods. At the very least, pick up a trail map at the trail head if available. These can usually help you navigate by landmarks to get you back to your car in a pinch. Maybe seek out a class on map and compass use at you local library, hiking club or outdoor store. You could use that cell phone to find online instructions. Oh wait, your phone crapped out, that’s why you need the map in the first place.