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Using GPS on the Hiking / Camping Trail
Today, with Global Positioning System (GPS) gadgets still a new technology, many people are unaware that GPS wasn’t only meant for the open road. It can be used while hiking or camping, and can even help you from being lost when there are no roads or highways nearby.
How is that possible? Portable GPS’s can track your journey, leaving a trail of digital breadcrumbs that keep you secure even on deep-woods adventures.
Here are some of the top strategies for using GPS on the camping trail:
- Plan in advance – Some GPS systems, like the Suunto X10 GPS watch, allow you to coordinate your GPS map with a map on Google, giving you an advanced knowledge of the track you’ll be heading on. You can also cross-section this map with Google Earth so that you have a better idea of the terrain and environment you’ll expect.Planning in advance is always crucial to having a good time when you’re camping and hiking. If you’re planning on exploring deep into the woods or wilderness, you would do good to prepare your general track by merging your computer with your GPS for an advanced map.
- Keep an eye on the weather – Some GPS devices (including the Suunto X10 GPS watch) allow you to monitor the weather before it happens. If a storm is coming, you should know about it before you see it on the horizon, or before you watch the skies turn grey. The GPS extends your “inner meteorologist” and gives you added technology – such as a barometer – to assist you in watching the weather. While this obviously has implications for your cmaping or hiking trip, it’s useful for a variety of other outdoor activities, as well; especially if you don’t have the internet or a TV to access.
- Watching your time and distance – Especially useful for runners and hikers, keeping a track of your distance is great for athletic endeavors, as you’ll be able to monitor exactly how long it took you to walk, hike, or run how many miles.This allows you to monitor your distance, for example, even if you feel like taking a side jaunt somewhere else entirely. If you have your ideal 10k run mapped out somewhere, and need to take a detour, you’d still be able to keep an eye on the distance you’ve traveled.
These are just three of the strategies you could employ while using your GPS watch or other GPS device while outdoors. Much like a GPS navigation system will help prevent you from ever getting lost in the car, today’s technology can even help you from getting lost in the woods. You’ll be able to monitor weather, altitude, and other variables that let you know about the skies you’re hiking or camping under, and you’ll find yourself having a better time for it.
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How to Stay Safe During Your Camping Trip
Camping can be a dangerous undertaking because it requires you to spend an extended time in the great outdoors. If you’re planning to take your children camping with you, then you need to spend extra time examining certain precautions that you need to take. What should you worry about when you’re about ready to go, though? This article will give you a few common concerns and what you should do to prepare for them.
Watch the Weather
Being outdoors, it’s very important that you pay very close attention to the forecast when you’re going camping. If you’re going in the winter months it can be extremely dangerous if you camp in the midst of a snowstorm because you could easily run out of food and have no way of getting back to civilization. Be sure to watch the weather reports and if you’re already at your campsite you can always ask any rangers or other campers you see what the forecast looks like.
Bring the Right Supplies
Brining supplies with you can help you feel much safer during your trip as it offers you a backup and can be used anytime an unexpected problem occurs. Common supplies include: bug spray, extra food, and medications. It’s extremely important that you bring any medication that a family or friend needs in case they have any issue during the trip. You should also bring a first aid kit as it’s very easy to be injured by falling or possibly by an animal in an extended visit.
Plan Ahead
Perhaps the best thing you can do before going on your camping trip is planning ahead. Plan things like where you’re going to camp and for how long you’re going to stay. This planning should include both of the previous items, watching the weather and considering the essential supplies. It’s important that you think of any possible problem that can occur while you’re camping and be ready to address it accordingly.
Use Common Sense
Not using common sense is probably the cause of most problems that occur in the woods. Don’t attempt to do anything that could be potentially fatal, and make sure you follow basic camping guidelines such as leaving food out near or inside of the tents. With a little common sense it should be easy for you to avoid any problems that you could experience.
If you follow the above advice it should be easy for you to plan a fun and safe camping trip for you and your family.
Photo Credits: Omer Simkha
