[at-l] The importance of maps

[icw39@ncfreedom.net (Clark Wright)]

really good post, but I think reckless is a bit of an overstatement for
some people - just depends on one's comfort level with survival skills,
what one packs, and what other information one carries.  For instance, a
very light "Golight" hiker with little survival training could be in
serious trouble getting lost for just a day or two in lousy weather, but
an experienced hiker with some extra stuff might view the detour as just
another adventure . . . personally, I like maps, but felt I had enough
information without them using my CD trail data printouts, my 35 years
of backwoods experience, and a lightweight compass . . . there are VERY
few places on the Trail where you cannot just go downhill, follow water,
etc. and reach "civilization" within 24 hours - and if the rejoinder is
"what if you are injured?" well, then a map ain't much good there
either, though one might say with the map you might be able to plot a
shorter course to civilization - true enough, but my instincts have
never let me down in any material way on that score . . . having said
all that, Jack's is probably most correctly summed up this way "when in
doubt, carry the maps!"

thru-thinker

Jack Tarlin wrote:
> 
> Darren--
> 
>    You've got some great advice so far, but I want to comment on one
> statement that seemed to argue that maps were not needed.  The poster wrote,
> "Nothing is esssential, especially given that the AT is well marked and
> quite linear."
> 
>    I feel this is a grave mistake.  Yes, indeed, the Trail is well marked,
> and it's certainly possible to thru-hike without maps, and many have done
> so.  The point is whether or not this is a good idea.
> 
>    As well as the Trail is marked, it's still a very rare hiker who has
> spent much time on the A.T. who, at one time or another, due to
> day-dreaming, carelessness, or whatever, has not managed to find himself off
> the Trail.  This usually happens when a hiker misses a turn or fork in the
> trail, and then continues on long enough to make it difficult to re-trace
> their steps.  In nearly every case, they quickly realize their error and
> backtrack to the Trail---but not always.  There are places in the Trail that
> are in such built-up areas that even if you're lost, you'll find yourself at
> a road in no short order, but there are many places, especially in the North
> country, where it's VERY  difficult to rescue yourself without a map.  If
> this is compounded by bad weather, an injury, or both, it would be quite
> easy to find yourself in a very serious position if you were lost without a
> map.
> 
>    This has been discussed at length on this list, so I'm sorry for the
> repetition; I'll try to keep this reasonably brief.  There are any number of
> reasons you should always carry an up-to-date map of the area you're in, as
> well as  possessing the ability to read it.  Some of these reasons:
> 
>    1.  Obviously, they'll help you if you're lost, or have to try and locate
> someone who is.  Without a map of the country you're in, you are essentially
> blind as to what surrounds you.
> 
>    2.  If you need to get out of the woods in a hurry for ANY reason---an
> injury; or you need to get to a phone immediately, or to report an injury,
> accident, unusual incident, crime, etc.---the maps will enable you make an
> intelligent, informed decision on whether you should stick to the Trail
> until the next road crossing, backtrack down the Trail to a road you
> previously crossed, or perhaps find a quicker alternative route.  Your Data
> Book alone will NOT provide sufficient information, as it only lists major
> road crossings, and tells you nothing about the terrain itself that you may
> need to navigate---elevations, rivers, swamps, etc.  In short, if you ever
> have to leave the trail and bushwhack WITHOUT a map, you have a great chance
> of getting yourself lost, which would only compound your situation---instead
> of the authorities having to deal with one lost or injured hiker, now
> they'll have two.
> 
>   3. Intelligent reading of your map will ALWAYS give you a good idea of
> where you're going, or where you need to get to.  This is especially
> important if you have to leave an injured party, or perhaps some of your
> gear, somewhere on the Trail.  You need to be able to direct folks to the
> right location as quickly as possible.
> 
>   4. In addition to emergencies, maps will prove extraordinarily useful for
> any number of other purposes.  Before you start your trip, the maps are
> useful for getting an idea of what a particular stretch of terrain is
> like---is it hilly, is it flat, is it mixed, are there many little bumps, or
> just a few large ones?  The elevation profiles included on each map will
> provide a wealth of information on what lies ahead of you:  90 miles of
> Central Virginia is incredibly different from 90 miles in Southern Maine,
> and studying the maps will give you an idea of what's lies ahead, and you
> can then use this data to get a rough idea of how long it'll take you to
> cover a particular stretch.  This will come in very handy as you plan your
> maildrops, re-supply, and town stops.
> 
>   5.  During each hiking day, the maps will help you intelligently plan your
> itinerary:  Most hikers like to get the really big climbs out of the way
> early on, when they're fresh, and when it's not too hot; nobody likes to do
> a monster climb at 4:30 in the afternoon. The maps will tell you where the
> big climbs are.   Or maybe you WANT a big climb at the end of the day, in
> order to catch a sunset or sunrise; once again, the maps will tell you where
> a good place to be would be at day's end in order to do this.  Or maybe you
> have "time pressure" and need to make up a few days on your schedule; the
> maps will tell you where the best places might be to go for three or four
> consecutive "big days" instead of doing it blindly----there are many places
> on the Trail where it'd be very difficult, if not impossible, to do 3 or 4
> consecutive 20-miles days.  Studying your maps will help prevent errors of
> this sort.
> 
>   6.  Maps will point out alternative water sources.  This can be incredibly
> important in periods of extreme dry weather---many times, water sources
> listed in the Data Book (shelters, campsites, streams, etc.) are dry when
> you get there.  The maps will provide you with other possibilities.
> 
> 7.  Many folks like to have friends, families, loved ones come visit them
> during their hikes and join them for a section.  For obvious reasons,
> especially if we're talking about parents or older folks who might not be in
> tip-top shape, you'll want to pick a relatively easy section for your
> visitors. Once again, it's the maps that'll help you pick out the
> appropriate stretch; at the very least, you'll have a good idea of what the
> stretch is like, how bad the climbs are, etc.
> 
>     This pretty much covers it, but the bottom line is this:  There are any
> number of good reasons to ALWAYS carry maps when you're in the woods or
> mountains, and only one reason not to, and that's to save money.  Well,
> there are better ways to save a few bucks, and there are ways to save money
> on maps---borrow a set from a former hiker, or purchase a used set, for
> example.  But the maps ARE an essential component of your gear.  As the
> previous poster said, "the AT is well marked and quite linear."  Well, this
> doesn't help much if you still manage to lose the trail, and in addition to
> a safeguard against getting lost, there are all sorts of good reasons to
> carry maps.  The poster said "Nothing is essential."
> 
>      I have to disagree.  Maps are.  And to go into the backcountry without
> them is, in my opinion, reckless, irresponsible, and not very smart.
> 
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