[at-l] Re: [ at-l ] maps

[bushwackerfish@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Bushwacker)]

Muir had the proper skill sets to survive in the wilds and more experience
than anyone in the current era could ever amass.  Many of his trips were
map making expeditions.  He was famous for documenting glacier flows.

Most of the select few who do venture out into the wilds (be the AT or
otherwise) are not so astutely trained or literate.  Big differences exist
from being raised in the 19th century and the 20th or 21st.

Developing a base skill level and acquiring the proper tools to manage in
the wild (compass and maps included) have a higher than normal success rate
when trouble looms.

Mueser's survey reveals that 84% of respondents had only "prep hiked" three
weeks or less in the year before their hike.  Likewise, approximately 69%
of the respondents had only hiked 50 days or less out of the preceding five
years before their hike.

Historically, not much wilderness experience under the belt of a typical
thru-hiker.  Yet, they seem to make it.  There was no questions present in
Mueser's survey about skill sets possessed at the beginning and then those
found essential and the end of the trek.

Needless to say, it is best to allow the inexperienced to carry maps and
help them understand how to use them and how to locate their current
positions.  Flat out telling them not to carry them is not a wise decision,
IMHO.

Bushwacker
At 03:51 PM 1/30/2003 -0500, Slyatpct@aol.com wrote:
>--
>
>Anyone know if John Muir carried maps?
>
>Sly