[at-l] Re: GPS question

[David.Jessop at oberlin.edu (David Jessop)]

Steve,

It is difficult for me to understand your post as anything other than an attack with little postive intention. Other than that, I am frankly not sure what your intention is, since I see you as providing no help, not responding to my question in any fashion, but only providing criticism without any suggestions for me to improve what you determine is a propensity to place myself in dangerous situations (other than what I judge is inanely obvious, your comment "Be a good scout, be prepared." Was your intention to help me? I posted asking for help. I dont see that help showing up in your response in any constructive fashion. Although you responded to a question that was not posed intentionally in my post (albeit, with little but attacks as far as I am concerned), what methods would YOU have used had you been in my situation? 

At least take responsibility for your judgements, and base them from facts but not merely your own limited situation or knowledge from a six line e-mail.

Whether you do or not from my six line e-mail, I believe that I attempt to minimize the risks that are present as much as possible. It is indeed impossible to eliminate them.  I dont know if you have ever been to central-Andean countries such as Ecuador, Bolivia, or Peru or have hiked in them. These are countries that are seriously limited in their infrastructure. The government topographical maps created by each country{s government{s IGM (Instituto Geografico Militar) often display different names than the locals call places, gradations that are incorrect, landmarks that are no longer present, and other discrepancies. They are frequently produced several decades back.

As far a propensity to put myself in danger, you are indeed correct in the sense that I am hiking outside of the United States, in countries where I am easily identified as a foreigner (and thus potentially a greater risk as a target) and in places that have little infrastructure. When there are other people to hike with, I do so. This is not always the case, and yes, I do often choose to go alone in favor of not doing the hike, letting people who care about me know where I am and when they should hear from me. I never hike on places that have not been done before by people who have then gone on to write descriptions in guide books and I follow those carefully. You are correct that these activities are by their nature, risky.

Nor, as you ASSUMED, do I have any intention of giving up my map and compass in favor of a GPS reciever. A GPS reciever does absolutely nothing without a topo map. All it does is tell you where you are. A compass serves a different function than a GPS unit. I see my predicament in Ecuador partially as the result of the map{s flaws, partially of the guide book I had been using (law of nature: everything changes)... It was written only two years before but all 4 of the creeks listed in the guide book where I had my trouble were dried up (hence a massive abandonment of dwellings... I probably saw over 25 houses completely abandoned, where it was obvious that people had lived in them recently.) I do believe my use of a GPS would have put me in a different predicament in Ecuador or at least helped me to get out more quickly. A GPS unit would have determined where I was in relation to the village I was hiking to, and the compass used with the GPS would have gotten me there more qu
ickly. I dont think a GPS is going to save me, but I do think it will minimize the risk I am in. Partially my problems were a result of doing the trek alone.. and so you are correct, that I do at times put myself in danger. I see purchasing a GPS unit as an attempt to minimize that danger. 

If your intention REALLY IS to help me, it would have helped me had you written what methods YOU would have used if you were in my situation to "be a good scout, be prepared." What would you do in my shoes? Is it for you a matter of not hiking alone? I am not quite sure the point of your e-mail. It was hard for me to see anything but negativity and discouragement in it. 

David Jessop

----- Original Message -----
From: Steve Adams <stephensadams@hotmail.com>
Date: Sunday, May 16, 2004 12:30 pm
Subject: GPS question

> David,
> 
> Reference your post, dated 5-15-04, wherein you mention, ?I got 
> lost solo 
> hiking ... I know how to use a map and compass ... If I had known 
> where I 
> was ... ? And, ? ... there was nobody around in the desert.?
> 
> Your question is a serious one since you seem inclined to put 
> yourself into 
> difficult situations.  I would be more kind if I didn?t think this 
> is going 
> to continue.
> 
> You selected this GPS and provide two reasons:
> 
> Reason #1.  This GPS has a handy design.  When you downsize 
> technology, 
> given the same technological knowledge, you sacrifice something.  
> You 
> express preference for convenience, over concern for accuracy or 
> sensitivity.
> 
> Reason #2.  You decided a compass and maps are insufficient.  You 
> see them 
> as reasons for your dire predicament.
> 
> Getting lost and not knowing where you are imply your belief, ?I 
> know how to 
> use a map and compass? are not well founded.  The foregoing, and 
> being 
> surprised, ?there was nobody around in the desert,? suggest a 
> serious lack 
> of preparation.
> 
> I believe your use of a GPS, at that time, would have yielded the 
> same 
> result as your use of a compass and maps.
> 
> You chose this particular GPS, ignoring more important 
> considerations, which 
> I think reveals you continue to resist adequate preparation.
> 
> Your question would be better directed to Garmin (whose public 
> relations 
> people have prepared reassuring explanations for their consumers), 
> or to 
> various U.S. Government agencies.
> 
> Steve
> 
> P.S.  Be a good scout, be prepared.
> 
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