[at-l] Re: help me with my gear list - please

[jbryankramer@msn.com (J Bryan Kramer)]

I generally carry one of those combo match safe-whistle-compass do-hickeys.
The compass isn't all that great but will show you the general direction.
Having an emergency match supply and a whistle are also big plusses in my
mind. I'm not sure of the weight of the whole thing but it's only an few
ounces.

Bryan

-----Original Message-----
--
At 09:30 AM 8/25/2002 -0400, Wear wrote:

>Compasses are emergency gear. Most hike the AT without an emergency that
>needs a
>compass.  But  it  is irresponsible to go into the backcountry without a
>compass
>and  either  a  map or detailed knowledge of the lay of the land. At an
>ounce or
>less, a compass should be in every pack.


A compass needn't weigh even that much, at least the
cheap one that I carry.  It's a combination compass-
thermometer that hooks to one of the zippers on my
pack.  I've never had to use the compass (knock wood)
but it gives me some comfort knowing that it's there.
The thermometer gets a lot more use, but generally it's
to confirm what my senses have already told me: it's
freakin' hot, freakin' cold, or a beautiful day for hiking.

Bear in mind that a compass isn't worth much without a
map and at least some sense of where you are.  Trying
to bear some arbitrary course "due west" through
Appalachian forests could be a daunting task.


rafe b.
aka terrapin
--

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