Pacing and Estimating
Distance
Many outdoorsmen measure
distance in the backcountry by using a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. GPS receivers are reasonably accurate, real
time, and provide distance traveled and distance to a destination.
But what does the hiker do
if they don’t have a receiver, the GPS fails or batteries die?
A proven method for
estimating distance is known as pacing.
Pacing is not as accurate as the GPS receiver, but it can give a
reasonable approximation of the distance traveled. Together with a map and compass, pacing is an
important component of evaluating a hiker’s track through the backcountry. In darkness or periods of low visibility
pacing helps to determine the hiker’s location through a process known as dead
reckoning.
Pacing is a method that
begins with measuring one’s stride, with the intent of determining an
individual’s length of stride. A pace is a measured two steps; a complete
stride. As illustrated below, every time
the right foot hits the ground is one pace. Each pace (two steps) normally measures
out to almost 50-60 inches.
Perhaps the best
method to determine a hiker’s pace is to record it over a specific distance to
determine an average. Before embarking
on the trail, the individual should develop a “pace average” over a controlled
area first.
For example, measure the
number of paces for a known distance of 100 yards. To achieve this, go to a high school foot
ball field or track. Walk along a sideline
from end zone to end zone. Count how
many paces it takes to go 100 yards. Do
this eight times and record the total number of paces for each 100 yard event. Determine the average for all eight 100 yard
lengths completed. The result is that
the hiker may determine that the average 100 yard pace count to be 58 ½ paces. (With children compensate and be mindful of
their strides being significantly different, including a skip here and an off
trail discovery there.)
Whatever the “pace average”
may be, do keep the stride natural and smooth.
Don’t try to exaggerate and unnaturally lengthen the stride.
Don’t get too bogged down in
the estimation of the accuracy of the average pace. Of larger importance is to
understand the complexity of the terrain and how it will impact stride and a
hiker’s “pace average”. Anticipate
strides being different. Take the time
beforehand to imitate a 100 yard course on sloping ground. Further, try a 100 yard pace in soft soil and
hard soil, smooth ground and rocky ground. Move to other locations once an
average pace is found on a controlled level environment (football field). Layout a 100 yard course on sloping
ground.
Pacing over long distance
can become quite boring and the hiker easily distracted. This is especially true when the pace count
is in the hundreds. Was that pace 545 or
554? In such cases pacing beads may be a
useful tool. Pacing beads can be
purchased from online venders or made at home using paracord and simple
beads.
A quick Google search will turn up several methods for using pacing
beads. For example,
Pacing beads can be an
important asset when Dead Reckoning (known as DR) with a map and compass. Vigilant compass sighting and a steady “pace
average” helps provide a rough approximation of both distance and direction
when moving through the backcountry.
