fr3db3ar
Member
One of the best ways to find your way back is to occasionally turn around and see what the terrain looks like in the opposite direction.
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Had a Bit of an Unintended Adventure on Today's Hike
- Thread starter snubbyfan
- Start date
OP
I'll never tell.
Snubby:
You gave a list of things that you usually carry with you, but I know that you are famous for your pocket holsters. I presume that you use them yourself, in fact I think I've seen a post of what you usually carry in it. You need to be careful over there on the frontier of the People's Republic of Maryland. One of the PRM border guards might catch you if you wander in the wrong direction!!
By the way, my oldest son and his wife live just outside DC and she works inside the District. First they lived in Tyson's Corner, then Arlington, then Alexandria, and now as far out as Fairfax. Both born and raised in West Virginia. Culture shock, but they love their jobs, and are probably going to be there for awhile. At least they're in Virginia.
Best Regards, Les
You gave a list of things that you usually carry with you, but I know that you are famous for your pocket holsters. I presume that you use them yourself, in fact I think I've seen a post of what you usually carry in it. You need to be careful over there on the frontier of the People's Republic of Maryland. One of the PRM border guards might catch you if you wander in the wrong direction!!
By the way, my oldest son and his wife live just outside DC and she works inside the District. First they lived in Tyson's Corner, then Arlington, then Alexandria, and now as far out as Fairfax. Both born and raised in West Virginia. Culture shock, but they love their jobs, and are probably going to be there for awhile. At least they're in Virginia.
Best Regards, Les
Last edited:
OP
I know, it sucks. But some of the best hiking trails are just over the border In Maryland.
I've been doing some research into West Virginia Wildlife Management areas and plan to do some 'sploring there.
You can bet I'll have a pack with some survival stuff a GPS and a compass.
OP
Well, I went and ordered a Garmin Fenix GPS watch. It has a "track back" feature that shows you where you've been so you can find your way back.
I figured that I don't always plan my detours and one of the things I always have with me's a watch.
I've recently discovered a few new to me trails that I'm wanting to explore.
It should be here by August 4th.
I figured that I don't always plan my detours and one of the things I always have with me's a watch.
I've recently discovered a few new to me trails that I'm wanting to explore.
It should be here by August 4th.
You got that right, jmcghee, I live here and when I drive to my camp in the eastern panhandle, about one hour of the drive is no cell service. Guess what? I kinda like it. Especially since I'm still working. "Sorry, boss, but you know how it is, you must have called while I was out of range".
Best Regards, Les
Kronos
Member
Go up to Bergoo...cell's are a dead joke.
I've used GPS,but all I ever did with it was mark my point of origin and take a peek at where I am but it was never more then a test.
I've used GPS,but all I ever did with it was mark my point of origin and take a peek at where I am but it was never more then a test.
OP
They recently put a cell tower in out here.
Unfortunately, we're beginning to see more and more cell phone zombies.
Unfortunately, we're beginning to see more and more cell phone zombies.
kwselke
Member
Here's a screenshot I took of my phone midway through my walk yesterday. Between the alarm icon and the bars indicating phone signal strength is a rectangle with a slash through it indicating that the 4-G remote data capability is turned off. There is a GPS indicator showing a good fix and it is using maps stored on the phone's memory. The arrow on the dot indicating current position is pointing north. Your problem would be if the hills and woods block getting a good GPS fix.
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OP
I'm planning on doing lotsa testing on known trails before I even begin to trust it.
Some of the trails do go through hollows with lotsa trees.
I'm hoping I don't end up with just a cool watch.
Kronos
Member
Most GPS runs off of satellites,you'll need to find an open spot to check your position.
Best way I've seen to run them is mark a start point and when you "use" it at best it'll show you as a mark on the map (triangle usually) that moves-point the tip of the triangle at the start point and it should move when you do.
Worst case it won't move (no signal) but you'll still see yourself on it,at least you know your position.
If you don't see your position? you're on the titanic,you're screwed,bend over and kiss it goodbye or pray you're a real woodsman.....
Just a note they do have compass apps for cell phones,never tested them and how good they are but the few I have messed with did seem to work.
If you use a cell phone you may want to get a battery pack to keep the charge going,or if you want to drop the coin they have small solar panels to charge it.
OP
The watch has a compass. Also a thermometer, altimeter and chronograph. It'll tell ya how far you've gone and it'll even tell ya what time it is.
I'm a minimalist when it comes to hiking, usually just boots, shorts, a watch and my truck key on a string around my neck.
The watch'll just be an extra little bit of help. I do intend to pay attention to such thing as the position of the sun, checking my back track, looking for land marks and stopping occasionally to take in my surroundings.
I'm a minimalist when it comes to hiking, usually just boots, shorts, a watch and my truck key on a string around my neck.
The watch'll just be an extra little bit of help. I do intend to pay attention to such thing as the position of the sun, checking my back track, looking for land marks and stopping occasionally to take in my surroundings.
Lobster Picnic
Member
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Yep. You can take a picture, too. I did that walking around DC so I could recognize unfamiliar street corners as I walked back. Just view the pics in reverse to get you home.
DavidWJ
Member
What are flys doing in a beehive? They're really lost! Great map too, thanks for the post!
DavidWJ
Member
A USGS Topo map and compass are all you need when hiking in the boonies.
And these...
Never used them but I was trailing behind a guy who stuck them as he approached the tree. I watched him use about a dozen in a half mile and could not keep shut any longer.
Hey Dumas, what are you doing?
I had hoped they were for some someone coming along later but he turned and yelled all angry they were to find our way back.
Plenty to do in the woods without having to deal with a simpleton.
I keep several yards of orange surveyors tape tucked in my pack for bushwalking in the thick stuff without a GPS or compass
Tie a piece to a limb at eye level,rinse and repeat
nicky4968
Member
As a former Scout leader (3 sons, all eight and a half years apart made for long service) I highly recommend the ten essentials. Make sure your whistle is plastic.
the ringo kid
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