GPS Tips
If you are an outdoor person and spend time is some of the more remote areas of our state or other parts of the country, you should be familiar with the use of a compass or GPS system. The compass has been around for centuries and is a very dependable tool for a person to use to maintain his orientation in the wild. A compass does not have batteries like a GPS system, but it can fail unless you use precautions. If you hold it too close to a dense metal object, it will affect the reading. Also, anything magnetic will make it render false readings. If you eliminate those items when using the compass, you will be okay.
Basic compass use is easy and there are plenty of guidebooks on orienteering with a compass. If you chart a course and watch the compass, it is easy to backtrack with a minimum of skill. If you are traveling for a great distance with a lot of twists and turns, you will need a good topographical map of the area for reference and a good compass with a base-plate and adjustments for declination. Declination is the difference between true North and magnetic North. Depending on where you are, you have to make a minor adjustment to know where true North happens to be.
A GPS is much easier, but you have to keep fresh batteries in it or it is useless. Various units have many different features and many of them have a base map in the software package and will show you where you are on the map. They will provide you with latitude and longitude readings so that you can look at larger topographical maps and determine exactly where you are. They also tell you the altitude, sunrise and sunset times and many more neat things. You can pre-plan a route and enter recognizable waypoints so that you can easily reach your destination. These units can be linked to your computer and the information stored for future reference. You can use computer topographical programs on your computer and map out routes and even see them in three dimensional images to see the grade in the mountainous areas.
GPS (Global Positioning Systems) process signals from satellites to determine your location. It takes access to two satellites to give longitude and latitude reading and three satellites to provide altitude readings.
These are neat units, but there are traditional ways to determine directions. The most obvious is to be aware that the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, therefore on reasonably clear days, you always have a reference. If you observe trees in the forest, you will see that most of the trunks are not exactly round. They are oval. The longest axis of the oval would be North and South (its up to you to decide which is which). The old myth of moss growing on the North side of the trees is partially true, but in very damp shady areas, it may not be dependable. At night, the North Star and some of the other constellations can be used as a guide.
Personally, I have a GPS unit, but I always feel comfortable having a compass in my pocket. It is dependable and almost fool-proof if you know how to use it.
By the way, if you are out a lot, its not a bad idea to have a first aid kit and a little elementary survival gear. Water treatment pills, water filter, high energy snack bars, and such are good ideas.
If you are looking for a neat thing to remind you of the places you have been, pick up a small rock that is unusual in appearance and when you get home you can use a permanent marker to record the date and location on the bottom. They make great paperweights. I use acrylic paint and paint outdoor scenes, fish, flowers and such on mine. I have them all around the house and at the office and each one reminds me of a great day outdoors.
L. Woodrow Ross is a freelance writer/photographer who lives in Travelers Rest, SC. He has written an outdoor/travel column for two years and just completed his first novel, Return to Oak Hill. He is an active fly tier, fisherman, and hunter and participates in many outdoor sports. His websites are http://www.lwoodrowross.com and http://www.flyfishnorthamerica.com. Falls In Quebec Water
Wholesale Coogi Clothing
Business Card Holder Wooden
Chaise Le Corbusier
Restaurant Equipment Auction
French Country Dining Room Furniture
University Of Florida Man Basketball Schedule
Myrtle Beach Waterfront Home Site
Sd And Mmc Cards
Beaches
Remove Candle Wax From Carpet
High Rise Apartment Building
Birds
Abc Dancing Star Television
White Wicker Furniture
Target Store Home Furniture
To Have
06 Soccer Tour World
Free Debt Settlement Companies
Bike Baseball Pants
Psychic Chicago
1 800 Yellow Pages
Katya Philippine Santos Scandal
Download Alcoholic Drink Recipe
Leons Furniture Warehouse
Ipod
Best Cue Pool
Congenital Disease Health Heart
Russell Food Equipment
Engagement Idea Invitation Party
Nbc Network Shopping
Celebrity Movie Theater
Waikiki Hawaii Condo Rental
Lamp Led Ocean Optics
Dragonfly Earrings
Msn Football
Art Clip Toy Train
Fur
Rio Babes On The Beach
Fur Fashion Boot
Fanny Farmer Candy
Garden Home Tool
Famous Hot Dog Restaurant
Design Nj Magazine
07 Silverado
Teenage Party Game
2008 Diesel Ford
Top College Baseball Prospect
Easton Pennsylvania Bed And Breakfast
Swelling Of The Legs
Bmw E36
Home Shopping Network Online
Garmin Map Software
Used Car Dealerships In Arkansas
Europe Robot Travel Vacation
Campsites Spain
Farm Fencing Supply
1 1 1 2bshack 417 Radio Top
100 Top
Veterinary Reference
Banking Bumiputra Commerce Malaysia Online
Jewelry And Watch Online
0870 Numbers
0x0000008e Error
Pa Philadelphia Radio Station
Club Country Course Diablo Golf
Cute Short Hair Style
Encyclopedia Of Modern Body Building
Best Caribbean Medical School
1773 Act Image Tea
Civil Liberties Patriot Act
Piston Tickets
02 Magazine
2008 Bmw Coupe M3
The James Bond Collection
Buy And Sell Houses
1 10 Rc Cars
1000 Hotel Seattle Wa
Statistics On Skin Cancer
Free Quick Weight Loss Tip
Shock Analysis
Mad Blue Bird Picture
Cream Ice Maker Sandwich
04 Cable Provider Tv
Dodge Dakota Bed Liner
001 110 Connaught Delhi New Place
Hockey Jersey New Youth
Credit Repair Law Firm
American Express Business Card Travel
Contract Enforcement
Caribbean Golf Vacation
1 3 American Bed Girl In
Dog Grooming List Price
Cheap Living Room Furniture
Monique Dane
Additive Gasoline
Tennis
Jordan Book Bag
Buy Madeira Wine
Pet Store Indianapolis
Dress
Motorola Cellular Accessory
Christmas Flash Game Rooney
Cross Country Bank Credit
Doctor Eye Illinois Lasik
Real29
Icon Image Love Myspace
Hayward Pool Heater Parts
Multi Level Marketing Online
1 800 Directory Phone
Middle School Shore West
Basic compass use is easy and there are plenty of guidebooks on orienteering with a compass. If you chart a course and watch the compass, it is easy to backtrack with a minimum of skill. If you are traveling for a great distance with a lot of twists and turns, you will need a good topographical map of the area for reference and a good compass with a base-plate and adjustments for declination. Declination is the difference between true North and magnetic North. Depending on where you are, you have to make a minor adjustment to know where true North happens to be.
A GPS is much easier, but you have to keep fresh batteries in it or it is useless. Various units have many different features and many of them have a base map in the software package and will show you where you are on the map. They will provide you with latitude and longitude readings so that you can look at larger topographical maps and determine exactly where you are. They also tell you the altitude, sunrise and sunset times and many more neat things. You can pre-plan a route and enter recognizable waypoints so that you can easily reach your destination. These units can be linked to your computer and the information stored for future reference. You can use computer topographical programs on your computer and map out routes and even see them in three dimensional images to see the grade in the mountainous areas.
GPS (Global Positioning Systems) process signals from satellites to determine your location. It takes access to two satellites to give longitude and latitude reading and three satellites to provide altitude readings.
These are neat units, but there are traditional ways to determine directions. The most obvious is to be aware that the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, therefore on reasonably clear days, you always have a reference. If you observe trees in the forest, you will see that most of the trunks are not exactly round. They are oval. The longest axis of the oval would be North and South (its up to you to decide which is which). The old myth of moss growing on the North side of the trees is partially true, but in very damp shady areas, it may not be dependable. At night, the North Star and some of the other constellations can be used as a guide.
Personally, I have a GPS unit, but I always feel comfortable having a compass in my pocket. It is dependable and almost fool-proof if you know how to use it.
By the way, if you are out a lot, its not a bad idea to have a first aid kit and a little elementary survival gear. Water treatment pills, water filter, high energy snack bars, and such are good ideas.
If you are looking for a neat thing to remind you of the places you have been, pick up a small rock that is unusual in appearance and when you get home you can use a permanent marker to record the date and location on the bottom. They make great paperweights. I use acrylic paint and paint outdoor scenes, fish, flowers and such on mine. I have them all around the house and at the office and each one reminds me of a great day outdoors.
L. Woodrow Ross is a freelance writer/photographer who lives in Travelers Rest, SC. He has written an outdoor/travel column for two years and just completed his first novel, Return to Oak Hill. He is an active fly tier, fisherman, and hunter and participates in many outdoor sports. His websites are http://www.lwoodrowross.com and http://www.flyfishnorthamerica.com. Falls In Quebec Water
Wholesale Coogi Clothing
Business Card Holder Wooden
Chaise Le Corbusier
Restaurant Equipment Auction
French Country Dining Room Furniture
University Of Florida Man Basketball Schedule
Myrtle Beach Waterfront Home Site
Sd And Mmc Cards
Beaches
Remove Candle Wax From Carpet
High Rise Apartment Building
Birds
Abc Dancing Star Television
White Wicker Furniture
Target Store Home Furniture
To Have
06 Soccer Tour World
Free Debt Settlement Companies
Bike Baseball Pants
Psychic Chicago
1 800 Yellow Pages
Katya Philippine Santos Scandal
Download Alcoholic Drink Recipe
Leons Furniture Warehouse
Ipod
Best Cue Pool
Congenital Disease Health Heart
Russell Food Equipment
Engagement Idea Invitation Party
Nbc Network Shopping
Celebrity Movie Theater
Waikiki Hawaii Condo Rental
Lamp Led Ocean Optics
Dragonfly Earrings
Msn Football
Art Clip Toy Train
Fur
Rio Babes On The Beach
Fur Fashion Boot
Fanny Farmer Candy
Garden Home Tool
Famous Hot Dog Restaurant
Design Nj Magazine
07 Silverado
Teenage Party Game
2008 Diesel Ford
Top College Baseball Prospect
Easton Pennsylvania Bed And Breakfast
Swelling Of The Legs
Bmw E36
Home Shopping Network Online
Garmin Map Software
Used Car Dealerships In Arkansas
Europe Robot Travel Vacation
Campsites Spain
Farm Fencing Supply
1 1 1 2bshack 417 Radio Top
100 Top
Veterinary Reference
Banking Bumiputra Commerce Malaysia Online
Jewelry And Watch Online
0870 Numbers
0x0000008e Error
Pa Philadelphia Radio Station
Club Country Course Diablo Golf
Cute Short Hair Style
Encyclopedia Of Modern Body Building
Best Caribbean Medical School
1773 Act Image Tea
Civil Liberties Patriot Act
Piston Tickets
02 Magazine
2008 Bmw Coupe M3
The James Bond Collection
Buy And Sell Houses
1 10 Rc Cars
1000 Hotel Seattle Wa
Statistics On Skin Cancer
Free Quick Weight Loss Tip
Shock Analysis
Mad Blue Bird Picture
Cream Ice Maker Sandwich
04 Cable Provider Tv
Dodge Dakota Bed Liner
001 110 Connaught Delhi New Place
Hockey Jersey New Youth
Credit Repair Law Firm
American Express Business Card Travel
Contract Enforcement
Caribbean Golf Vacation
1 3 American Bed Girl In
Dog Grooming List Price
Cheap Living Room Furniture
Monique Dane
Additive Gasoline
Tennis
Jordan Book Bag
Buy Madeira Wine
Pet Store Indianapolis
Dress
Motorola Cellular Accessory
Christmas Flash Game Rooney
Cross Country Bank Credit
Doctor Eye Illinois Lasik
Real29
Icon Image Love Myspace
Hayward Pool Heater Parts
Multi Level Marketing Online
1 800 Directory Phone
Middle School Shore West
| Permalink | 