CALTOPO - Free Mapping Software

This post is about a relatively new mapping program for hikers and hunters.  

I met the software devloper late last month at the Pacific Northwest SARCON held near Portland Oregon.  Matt  Jacobs has developed a very sophisticated and robust program.  It is FREE.

The post below is straight from www.sectionhiker.com' s Philip Werner.

I started using Caltopo.com to plan and document all of my hikes and backpacking trips about a year ago after my friend Matt (Matt’s Hikes) recommended it on the approach hike to Peak Above the Nubble. Matt raved about Caltopo’s ability to print out custom maps using the 1:24000 USGS scale – which are excellent for carrying on off-trail hikes. The printing capabilities in Caltopo really are fabulous, but there’s so much more to this program that I’m surprised that more people don’t know about it.

First off, Caltopo.com is free to use. It supports many of the capabilities of desktop topographical mapping software but it’s online so you can access it anywhere and share it with other people. 

Go here to read the rest of Philip's post.

Tips on Getting Accurate Compass Readings - Part 1

 The following  suggestions on getting accurate compass readings is from Basic Land Navigation (by the National Wildfire Coordination Group.)

Tips on Getting Accurate Compass Readings

A small error when using a compass can result in a significant error in measurement on the ground.

To obtain accurate readings when using a compass:

• ·          Hold the compass level and steady so the needle swings freely.

• ·         Hold the compass about waist high in front of the body, except when using a compass with a sighting mirror or a sighting type compass.

• ·         Raise and lower eyes when taking a bearing, do not move your head. Always use the same eye when taking bearings.

• ·         Directly face object that is being measured.

• ·        Magnetic fields will give incorrect compass readings. Avoid taking readings near magnetic fields such as steel, iron (ferrous metals), vehicles, rebar, and clipboards. Even belt buckles, glasses, and rings can interfere with the compass reading.

• ·         Take bearing twice. 

• ·         Adjust for magnetic declination as appropriate.

• ·         Follow the direction of travel arrow, not the compass needle, when walking a bearing. Always follow the line indicated by the compass rather than relying on judgment as to the direction.

• ·         Use back bearings to ensure you are on track when navigating.

Garmin Rino 600 GPS

Last week I had the opportunity to use a Garmin Rino 600 GPS. 

It is accurate, has lots of capability and works as advertised.

I do recommend that the user take care regarding the very sensitive screen.

One of my students dropped the receiver and where my old Garmin map 60 would just be scratched this drop cracked the screen.  Though cracked across the screen, the receiver continued to operate quite nicely.

I wonder if a screen protect film is usable with this particular model?

Black Bear Kills Hiker

The following is from the New York Times: 

By Tatiana Schlossberg

Sept. 22, 2014: 

Rutgers University student was killed by a black bear over the weekend, the police said on Monday, the first such recorded death in New Jersey since the 1850s.

The student, Darsh Patel, 22, and four friends were hiking on Sunday in the Apshawa Preserve in the northern part of the state, about 40 miles from New York City. They encountered a black bear, which began to follow them, according to the police in West Milford, a township that includes the preserve.

The friends told the police they scrambled to get away from the bear, all running in different directions. Four of the men later found one another, and they called the police to help search for their missing friend, according to the authorities. Mr. Patel’s body was found about two hours later.

To read the rest of this news story go here

Staying Warm In A Sleeping BAg

The following post is from www.sectionhiker.com.  This is very timely.

By Philip Werner

"Have you even spent a cold night in your sleeping bag because the temperature dropped lower than you expected? Here are a few tips and tricks you can use to increase your comfort level on those cold nights without buying any additional backpacking gear.

• Cover your collar bones with an insulated jacket or fleece sweater to prevent hot air from escaping from your sleeping bag when you move around at night. This is often the ONLY thing I need to do to sleep warmer at night."

To read the rest of Philip's post go here.

Discovering Bones in The Backcountry.

It's not uncommon to come across bones in the backcountry.  Deer, elk, rabbit and squirrel  and other wildlife bones are found by hikers and hunters while moving through the woods.  But what about human remains.  In Oregon, since 1995, 246 people have gone into the backcountry and have not returned or been found (this is separate from criminal cases.)  What should you do?

Last week while at a Search and Rescue (SAR) conference I sat through an excellent presentation by the state of Oregon's medical examiner.

She offered her suggestions regarding the discovery of human remains in the field.

First, don't move the remains or other items such as clothing, shoes and other personal effects.  You may have found a crime scene.

Second, take a picture of the bone that is found.  A cell phone camera is fine.  Put a reference to determine size for the examiner.  For example, a ruler works best but the sole of your boot would help too. 

Use your GPS to  record the geographic coordinates of the scene.

Consider marking the location with flagging tape.

Contact and forward the image to the local law enforcement authorities.

The image below says it well.

Earthquake Video #2

Here is the second earthquake video from the Clackamas County Sheriff's office: