Why you should always bring a map

[earlyriser26]

Just got back from a day hike in PA. I was only going 9.3 miles. It was clear that no one had been on the trail and the snow started out about a foot and a half deep. By the time I was half way done the snow depth had increased to 2 and a half foot deep. My progress slowed from 1.5 mph all the way down to 0.5 mph. Also, you had to use blazes to tell where the trail was (a questionable thing at best). Fortunately I had a map and found a way down the hill to a road or I might still be out there. I have been hiking the AT since 1969 and this was the first time I feared that I may not make it.

[MuddyWaters]

a map, and making good decisions, are two separate things. I agree, maps are good. But, deviating off of established trails is a recipe for disaster. Backtracking is a better decision in most cases. Just ask people who do SAR. A common problem with people that get lost, is the inability to give up the effort they made in a certain direction (usually when taking a shortcut), because of the time and effort they have invested. They keep pushing forward, getting more lost, and into more trouble. When all they ever needed to do, was simply backtrack at the first sign of problems.

[earlyriser26]

First, I took an established blue blaze trail out. Second, I notified my wife of the side trail I was taking. Third, I only pushed toward the closest safe exit point which was 1.5 miles ahead instead of 5.0 miles back. Was it a poor decision to even hike? Probably. My point was something as simple as a map can be a lifesaver.

[MuddyWaters]

Wasnt referring specifically to you, only saying that people with maps get in trouble too. One problem is, maps dont show off trail obstacles well, in rugged terrain, people often end up injured in some way.

[ny breakfast]

short cuts don't always work out, what looks good on paper just may not work out in reality. conditions change and elevations change more so then what a map is going to show 100 ft elevation over 2 foot distance is different then 100 ft elevation over 1/16, 1/8 mile. etc. but I'm sure it was more than just carrying a map that got you out of there safely. weighing the variables and good decision making was more likely key to your success. majority of the time it is safest to back track the way you went in, in a timely manor or continue on even if it means staying out over night (have the means to do so)or hiking out later than anticipated.

[earlyriser26]

I think the key decision is always to make a decision "before" you get desperate. When you see things are going bad you have to look ahead to what the situation could become.

[BillyGr]

And there is a difference between using a map to head off in some direction and using a map to see that there is another trail just ahead that leads to an easier way out (even if it meant a longer walk overall, but much of that on a cleared road instead of a bad trail).
Or maybe even seeing that the trail just ahead leads to an entirely different area that could make it a bad idea to go that way (say you wind up on the opposite side of the mountain and would have to walk many miles).

[rocketsocks]

Stop
Think
Observe
Plan

...always works for me

[trbjr]

Sometimes you can't determine where you are and a map and compass becomes very helpful.

[Rain Man]

To me, maps have at least two qualities.

First, they are evidence of good judgment and decision making prior to ever setting foot on the trail.

Second, they are aids in good judgments and decision making while on the trail, if needed, like having matches to start a fire if needed.

Finally, I'll add that an injury, sudden illness, change of weather, or other emergency can render moot supposed options of staying put or re-tracing miles of hiking first done feeling good or in good weather. A map showing a safe, short way out can be "life or death."

[peakbagger]

I have used a map a couple of times to find water sources near shelters. One time at Kirkridge in the spring when the faucet wasn't turned on another time at Pochuck Shelter and one time during a very dry fall hike in the VA roller coaster area. All three times, the map saved several miles of backtracking to the last known water. I have also used a map a couple of times to figure out ways of potentially leaving the trail due to injuries that I thankfully managed to muddle through.

[rhjanes]

In my orienteering, one thing I'm learning to do better (sort of), is to "bail and backtrack" quicker. Forget the "but I've come THIS far" thinking....you are also getting disoriented/lost. Back track, or figure which direction will generally get you out and back to a KNOWN point, the quickest.
This year, one course, I was telling myself for around 10 minutes "this isn't right"....until I hit a trail, I used the compass to determine it was one of two possible trails, the map to decide "go north old man" to locate an EXACT spot on the map, then "relocate" to a point on the trail where I knew where I was. Then, decide on next action to take to recover, quit, turn back or what.
It works well, but remain calm and THINK.

[Slo-go'en]

Sometimes you can't determine where you are and a map and compass becomes very helpful.

No, that's where GPS becomes very helpful. If you can't determine where you are a map and compass aren't going to help since you don't know where you are on the map. Although if you have a map and compass and know "about" where you are, they can lead you in a direction towards something and not deeper into trouble.

My first time on the AT down south I was with a few others and approaching Standing Indian. However, we didn't think we had enough food to make it to Hiawassee. Someone had a map which showed the "Chunky Gal" trail leading off to the highway and saving us 2 days. Unfortunately, the map didn't clearly show the trail ending in a cliff above the highway! Which made for an interesting adventure to get down there.

[4eyedbuzzard]

Why should YOU always carry a map? Why, so all the idiots who don't can ask to borrow yours of course. If you can afford to hike, you can afford to buy a map and guide. And if you don't think you might ever need one, or don't want to carry ALL that extra weight, then stay in sight of civilization.

[Gray Bear]

I always have a map and compass with me. My wife gives me a hard time about the amount of time I spend looking over maps. For me its just habit to look over not just my route but good bail out options for what ever reason. Also like previously mentioned, in dry seasons a bushwhack might be the best way to water. Around here bushwhacking is something we do just to change up a hike we've done a few times. Maybe go check out a ridge or pond you can see but doesn't have a trail to it. I'm always looking at my map and altimeter to pinpoint my location,calculate progress and estimate arrival times. Its always just part of the hike for me. GPS is a cool gadget to have but electronics fail and I kinda take pride in being old school. To give you an idea, when I was sailing a lot I tried using a sextant (unsuccessfully) to navigate just cuz the guys in the movies made it look so cool.

[Namtrag]

It's good to have a map, but if you don't know how to tell where you are on the map, it doesn't do a lot of good!

[Debbie]

Where in Pa. were you, Early Riser?

[squeezebox]

I've heard of enough people going the wrong way coming out of a shelter blue blaze the next morning that I plan to orient my compass to the trail any time I leave the trail.

[Slo-go'en]

I've heard of enough people going the wrong way coming out of a shelter blue blaze the next morning that I plan to orient my compass to the trail any time I leave the trail.

That may or may not help. Often the trail goes in every direction but North! If you have trouble remembering which way to turn when exiting a shelter, put a rubber band or tie a string around your wrist. If you turn left off the trail to the shelter, put the marker on your left wrist. Then when you exit turn left as indicated by the marker on your wrist.

[squeezebox]

that should work.
I'm still gonna bring maps and a compass.