[at-l] Re: [ AT-L ] : Maps

[baltimorejack@xxxxxxxxxxx (Jack Tarlin)]

Sly wrote "I may have missed it, but I don't recall anyone flat out telling
anyone not to carry maps."

Perhaps not in so many words, Sly, but several folks, including yourself,
have commented on how easily they navigated the Trail without them, and
therefore clearly implied that they weren't necessary.  Someone else clearly
suggested that they weren't worth the money and could easily be done
without.  So while folks may not have flat-out said "Don't carry them!" they
certainly implied that they were an expensive, un-needed extravagance that
could easily be done without.

Sly also wrote "Has anyone got truly lost on the A.T. for more than an hour
or two without maps?"

Considering Sly's experience on the Trail, this question surprises me.  Of
course this has happened; it happens to plenty of folks every year; as as I
mentioned in my earlier post, any Search and Rescue professional will tell
you that the overwhelming number of folks who get in trouble in the
backcountry don't have maps, or they don't know how to use them; they
frequently make mistakes while attempting to help others because they don't
know where they are, or where they need to be; they misdirect rescuers to
injured or lost parties because they're unsure of actual distances, mileage,
and terrain features; they complicate Searches by doing stupid things that
could be clearly avoided if they had maps or used them wisely; they endanger
themselves and others, including resucers and searchers.

Yes, Sly, a lot of folks get truly lost on the A.T. because they don't have
maps, and in many cases, they're out there for a lot longer than an hour.
It should also be said that there's a very good reason for their
difficulties---in short, people with maps tend not to get lost, or if they
do, at least they have the means to assist themselves and act intelligently
so as to minimize their problems.

Oh, Sly asked for specifics--in 1997, I helped evacuate a thru-hiker with
multiple leg fractures near Erwin, Tennessee.  Intelligent use of the maps
enabled us to send someone out of the woods to call for help (without maps
this would have been impossible, or greatly delayed, or may have resulted in
the assistance-seeker getting lost themselves).  Careful reading of the maps
also enabled us to carry the hiker to the one spot within miles where we
realized a rescue vehicle could intersect the trail; we had stabilized the
hiker and were at this path crossing when the ambulance arrived; we were
told by paramedics that relocating her to this spot saved from at least 3-6
hours of time before she got professional help, and also eliminated the
possibility of a lengthy and painful stretcher carry rescue.  She ended up
being treated in a hospital hours before she would have been if we'd been
forced to sit on our asses in the woods, doing nothing to assist the
rescuers.  All of our efforts, without exception, would've been impossible
without the possession and  use of Trail Maps, and this is NOT the only time
I've witnessed something like this on the Trail.

Telling first-timers they can easily do without maps is simply not, in my
opinion, wise counsel, and the fact that much of the Trail is not strictly
Wilderness misses the point---people still get lost, sick, and hurt out
there, and it's always unexpected.  (Who, after all, plans to get lost?)
Having a Trail map at such times is essential, and in certain circumstances,
can be a life-saver.




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