High tech orienteering

[richardw]

A few of us in the retirement development where I live have carry licenses. Some of us are retired military and others are retired LEOs. We meet for lunch once a week to just touch base since we have set up a text network in case anybody us or neighbors are facing a dangerous threat. We chat about all sorts of things and today I mentioned I had bought a new lightweight daypack for my spring, summer, fall hikes in PA State Forests. One asked me if stuck to established, mapped trails or went off trail. Well I mostly go off trail to avoid the hordes of hikers that can’t read a typo map well enough to go off trail.

That led to a question about how I orienteered on off trail hikes. They were completely surprised at my answer. I find my way with my iPhone and orienteering apps, all supported by a solar charger the same size as the phone that can charge the phone in the same time as it takes to use an electrical mains. As long as there is daylight the solar charger keeps renewing its stored energy.

Anyway, I thought some here might be interested in my setup. It consists of an iPhone 5s in a very rugged case, a Brunton Freedom solar charger that is small enough be carried strapped to a pack, charging cord, and two Apps, which I will detail below.

The phone has an independent GPS capability and is not dependent upon cellular or WiFi service so being off the grid is not a problem. I have Giap maps installed and use the offline maps that can be downloaded into it. My other app is Spyglass compass which also serves as a directional orienteering device. I do print out a topo map,of the area to be trekked and carry a fluid compass as a back up in case tech fails. I have added a link to a gallery of photos of the gear. To enlarge a photo just click on it.

https://postimg.org/gallery/i60m2l6m/

 

[rwsmith]

Thanks....

As far as I got in orienteering was a compass and I can at least read a topographical map. HOPEFULLY having portable equipment available in phones and what not, will keep a lot of people from getting lost or found when they are.

It may progress to where it can tell you like a cellphone GPS, "Jump over the brook and take a left at the oak tree and you will find the lost hiker."

PS That's a cool thing ya'll do and the folks are lucky to have you around.

 

[richardw]

It may progress to where it can tell you like a cellphone GPS, "Jump over the brook and take a left at the oak tree and you will find the lost hiker."

PS That's a cool thing ya'll do and the folks are lucky to have you around.

Not sure about android, but if an iPhone is on the grid, and the grid is huge, the find my iPhone app will do just that for people looking for you.

 

[snubbyfan]

When I go wandering around in the mountains out here in the eastern panhandle, I wear a Garmin GPS watch.


There's a lot of history out here and I enjoy exploring long abandoned trails. Some are so overgrown, it's almost like bushwhacking at times.
Like Richard, going off the main trails gets me away from the hordes.