Section Hiker is a blog that I follow. The following is a post on compass navigation whose concept is similar to my Baseline Navigation article posted earlier.
"Aiming off is a cross-country navigation technique for finding a destination like a shelter or a landmark that is located along a natural or man-made landscape feature (also called a linear feature) like a stream, a ridge, or a path."
To read the rest go here.
Map, Compass & GPS
Wild flowers along Fall Creek on the way to the Green Lakes - Oregon
Friday, October 19, 2012
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Baseline Navigation
Baseline navigation is a simple technique that requires little practise. Break out your map and compass and give this a try on your next outing.
Early in the morning the hunter hiked north from camp to Mahogany Butte. With an hour of light left it was time to return. He had his day pack with map and compass and he knew how to use them. But he didn’t have a GPS. The wooded terrain around him didn’t lend itself to triangulation with a compass. So what was he to do? If he was paying attention to his navigation before leaving camp at dawn he was all set. All he needed to do was to return to the base line.
Returning to a baseline is a pretty straight forward concept. The idea is that you leave camp from a known location and strike out in a specific direction such as North, or 000°. When it is time to return aim to the left or right of camp (like 165°T), hit the logging road camp is on and turn right. That is the concept but there is a bit more to it.
Let’s go over the tools you need and the process of how it works in more detail.
To learn more about baseline navigation go here.
Wool in Winter
Is wool the right material for you during winter backcountry travel?
My friend Leon has an interesting post about how well wool performs as winter wear. Interesting too are the comments from two of his readers.
"While there are synthetic clothing options available, for my money, nothing beats wools in winter. Where I live in Central Oregon, wool is my favorite material for pants about six months out of the year. Also, the material is fire resistant, and stays warm when wet.
Wool can also be inexpensive: Last fall at the local surplus store, I got a lightweight pair of wool pants for $7.95. And once you find a good wool garment, it will last seemingly forever. My old Lands End red wool sweater has served me well for the past 20 years, and it’s still going strong."
To read the rest of Leon's post go here.
My friend Leon has an interesting post about how well wool performs as winter wear. Interesting too are the comments from two of his readers.
"While there are synthetic clothing options available, for my money, nothing beats wools in winter. Where I live in Central Oregon, wool is my favorite material for pants about six months out of the year. Also, the material is fire resistant, and stays warm when wet.
Wool can also be inexpensive: Last fall at the local surplus store, I got a lightweight pair of wool pants for $7.95. And once you find a good wool garment, it will last seemingly forever. My old Lands End red wool sweater has served me well for the past 20 years, and it’s still going strong."
To read the rest of Leon's post go here.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
GPS Accuracy - An Update
This post is a follow on to an older article that I just "re-posted."
I'd like to add a few other considerations.
Remember, that quality and accurate navigation takes time and practice. Just because the hunter has a GPS that might be five years old, there is no reason to think it can not provide accurate data; it can. It just takes time. Recently while deer hunting in Oregon's Cascades heavily timbered forest I found that my position fixes took noticeably longer to acquire than when hunting or hike the open high desert area.
I'll always take a look at my satellite information page to see how many satellites I am tracking. Give the GPS time to do that job.
Notice the part of the graphic to the left that indicates +/- 27 feet, that is the accuracy of your position data. This information is an approximation. If the hunter received data were to say, 150, I'd recommend remaining in position and let the GPS continue to process. Allow this information to drop to 30 feet.
If the hunter has an older GPS and the receiver just doesn't seem to be tracking enough satellites, turn and face in a southerly direction. The GPS constellation is roughly below 60 degrees north. For those in the Pacific Northwest, most of the satellites will be to the south.
Back up you GPS navigation with your map and compass. Attempt to triangulate you position on the map.
I'd like to add a few other considerations.
Remember, that quality and accurate navigation takes time and practice. Just because the hunter has a GPS that might be five years old, there is no reason to think it can not provide accurate data; it can. It just takes time. Recently while deer hunting in Oregon's Cascades heavily timbered forest I found that my position fixes took noticeably longer to acquire than when hunting or hike the open high desert area.
Notice the part of the graphic to the left that indicates +/- 27 feet, that is the accuracy of your position data. This information is an approximation. If the hunter received data were to say, 150, I'd recommend remaining in position and let the GPS continue to process. Allow this information to drop to 30 feet.
If the hunter has an older GPS and the receiver just doesn't seem to be tracking enough satellites, turn and face in a southerly direction. The GPS constellation is roughly below 60 degrees north. For those in the Pacific Northwest, most of the satellites will be to the south.
Back up you GPS navigation with your map and compass. Attempt to triangulate you position on the map.
GPS Accuracy
Are you comfortable with the accuracy of your GPS receiver?
by Blake Miller
The
Accuracy depends on several things, most of which are beyond your control. For example, it is reasonable to expect a new GPS with the latest antenna, circuitry, processor capability and memory technology will perform better than one made in 2005. The number of satellites signals a receiver acquires helps too; you’ll need at least four.
To read the rest of the post go here.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Fire Starter - Gasoline
My friend Leon has a good post and video today on starting a fire using gasoline. Not something to be done every day, but this method has its place and it works just fine.
Check out the post here.
Check out the post here.