Emergency Communications in the Backcountry

There have been a lot of newspaper articles recently about the ten essentials and wilderness travel preparation.  Give thought to emergency communications in the backcountry. Consider how you are going to communicate with a Search and Rescue (SAR.) team.


Getting SAR activated is not magic but it does take time to get the volunteers alerted and moving to the subject.

My first recommendation is to take a look at your cell phone.  If you are holding out on getting a new phone reconsider; now.  New cell phones have what is called the E-911 chip that activates when 911 is dialed.  This activation sends the hiker’s position coordinates to the 911 dispatch center based on the phones GPS system; the accuracy is reasonable.   


The E-911 chip has helped to eliminate the hours of backcountry searching and allows SAR volunteers to go straight to the subject.   


Older phones and some carriers my not have this capability.  Check with the cell service provider and take another look if you use those cheap phones (e.g., Tracfone) sold at the box stores. 

Another option is to carry one of the locating beacons such as the SPOT by Global

Telecommunications.  A SPOT beacon retails for around $100 and requires an annual subscription service that costs about $100.  This technology is evolving quickly, is satellite based and has been critical to finding lost and injured hikers every year.  Take the time to search this carefully so that it matches your requirements. 

While electronics are wonderful consider carrying a signal mirror and a quality whistle.  Though relatively inexpensive these two components are key to finding lost hikers each year.  Both are excellent for emergency communications in the backcountry.

Map and Compass Basics

Outdoor Quest //Blake Miller image

Looking for a good overview of map and compass basic  procedures. Take a look at United States Search and Rescue Task Force's post on map and compass basics.  The following is a excerpt from this site:

"A topographic map tells you where things are and how to get to them, whether you're hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, or just interested in the world around you. These maps describe the shape of the land. They define and locate natural and man made features like woodlands, waterways, important buildings, and bridges. They show the distance between any two places, and they also show the direction from one point to another."

Map and Compass 

Best Selling GPS Receivers

Frequently I am asked what is the best GPS receiver to buy? To answer that question  I went to Rich Owings' website to find what are the best selling receivers in the "sport/hiking" category..

Garmin eTrex 30 
Garmin Oregon 450 
Garmin Dakota 20 
Garmin Monterra

I would add to this roster the GarminGPSMap 64s or 62s.

All of the above models are fine models to buy but I like the size and push button reliable characteristics of 60 series.  I feel that the buttons are more resilient to the rigors of the outdoors.

To read more about buying a GPS:

    Buying a GPS Receiver

    Buying a Used GPS Receiver

Christmas Gifts For the Hiiker

I stumbled across Philip Werner's (Section Hiker's) 2015 post about reasonably priced Christmas gifts.   The post is Backpacking Gifts.

OK, it's a year plus old but it is still fun to look at.  

SOLAR Flare

GPS users need to be aware of the impact that a solar flare would have on land navigation

and communications.

Take a look at FOX  News post by Michael Harthorne                                                   
 

"A big enough solar flare could wipe out electricity on Earth. The White House announced Thursday it wants to be ready.  (AP Photo/NASA)   

                                           

If a giant solar flare hit the Earth, it could knock out the entire power grid, meaning no more new Justin Bieber singles, no more televised presidential debates, and no more Facebook photos of babies.

But it wouldn't be all good news. The Washington Post reports the electromagnetic pulse—or EMP—created by such an event could wipe out electricity for months on end, creating a global catastrophe. recent post outlines the current administrations plans to prepare the USA for a solar flare's impact."

Compass Techniques

Here are a few compass techniques to improve the accuracy of your magnetic compass procedures and readings

Outdoor Quest //Blake Miller image

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 try the following sampling of compass techniques:

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

Hold the simple baseplate compass waist high front of the body.

When using a compass with a sighting mirror hold the compass flat and eye level.

Directly face the object that is being measured. 

Magnetic fields and objects will give incorrect compass readings. Avoid taking readings near magnetic objects such as steel, iron (ferrous metals), vehicles, and clipboards.

Take bearings twice.

Account for magnetic declination.  Use a compass that can be adjusted for declination such as the Silva Ranger; it keeps your navigation simple.

When walking a bearing follow the direction of travel arrow, not the compass needle,

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

Occasionally a bubble will become present in the compass dial assembly.  Small bubbles generally develop into bigger bubbles.  Contact the manufacturer to see what help the can be.  Worst case, get rid of it.

A map always accompanies a compass.  Check out free maps at www.caltopo.com.

I always carry a map and a compass.  Regardless if I am/am not carrying a GPS receiver the compass goes with me; it’s a part of my “ten essential systems.”  For serious trips (e.g., off trail, overnight) I will carry a small back up compass.  Everyone in a group should carry a compass too.

Navigation is a perishable skill and takes a lot of practice.  You don't need objects to be a long way off to achieve valuable readings.  Visit a park and make use of objects that about a mile away and practice your compass techniques.

Take a look at June Fleming's book "Staying Found."  It is a good read and provides a more complete look at compass techniques.

Outdoor Quest //Blake Miller image

Great Horned Owl Picture

I saw this fellow while on a hike yesterday.  A very handsome bird.  

Outdoor Quest //Blake Miller image

Buying a New Compass

This is an older post but is a good reminder what to expect when shopping for a new compass.

Silva Ranger  - Outdoor Quest Image

There are several things to keep in mind when buying a compass.

My preferred compass is a declination adjustable sighting compass (with mirror) like the trail proven “Silva Ranger.” (Silva, Brunton and Suunto all make good compasses.) The key is that this type of compass can be adjusted for magnetic declination and that keeps your wilderness navigation simple. You can expect to pay roughly $35.00 - $60.00; a cheap compass will not serve the hiker well.

My experience is that most sales clerks are compass illiterate and have little navigation experience.  While looking at a compass ask the clerk to remove it from the plastic container/packaging.  Check the compass to ensure:

1. The dial moves freely and does not stick.  
2. There are no bubbles internal to the liquid filled compass housing.
3.  Information engraved on the base plate must be legible.  If there is a magnifying glass verify that it is clear and not scratched. 
4. The tick marks on the dial are in two degree increments.  The tick marks should be readable.
5. The base plate, rotating dial assembly, and mirror are not chipped or broken.  
6. The sighting assembly hinge allows freedom of movement without excess side to side movement at the hinge .

 Packaging should clearly state that the compass is declination adjustable.  Adjustable compasses may have a small metal tool that allows for setting the declination.  If the packaging states that the compass has declination marking but does not use the word adjustable move to another model.

After purchase visit the website www.magnetic-declination.com to determine the declination of the area the hiker will be traveling through.

Remember that the red magnetic needle will always point to magnetic north.  With a declination adjustable compass the rotating dial has been adjusted so that the information provided by the compass is now in degrees true.