In this article, On Going Mapless in a Digital World: Engagement, Simplicity, and the Art of Real-Time Navigation, Ryan Jordan discusses the necessity of using a GPS for navigation while backpacking. He presents what he sees as some myths regarding GPS use and what it actually means for the backpacker.

Myth: A GPS receiver is an invaluable navigational asset.

Fact: Navigation skill (including techniques for reading terrain and off-trail hiking/scrambling) in the absence of navigation devices (map, compass, altimeter, GPS) is an invaluable asset.

Myth: Worrying about finding your way prevents you from concentrating on your adventurous experience.

Fact: Finding your way using skills, not technology, increases your level of engagement (Note 4), and reward, in your adventurous experience.

Myth: A GPS increases your level of safety in dangerous activities by helping you avoid the hazards.

Fact: I'm still trying to figure this one out. But my guess is that if you feel the need to add a GPS unit for "safety" or even "efficiency", then you've got more serious gaps in your skill set that need to be addressed.

I have to say that I agree with his opinion based upon my own backpacking experiences. I have never felt that a GPS would make things easier on any of my backpacking trips. The article goes on to talk about navigating in the real time. I agree with his belief that simply picking a route as you go based upon what you can see is much more exciting than following a predetermined route on trail. One such occasion was when I was leading a group on my NOLS trip during the Independent Student Group Travel. I had proposed bushwhacking the last bit to our desired campsite rather than take the long way around on trail. Here is a map showing the last bit of the route. The red line is the path we took and blue is the preplanned route to the campsite near the lake.

While bushwhacking, we probably made 5 stops to find our bearings and try to pick our way among some large rock outcroppings. This was a tremendous challenge and at a couple points we had to find small paths that lead up between the rocks. It was also early enough in the year that small streams were coming down the hillside every 100 feet from the snow runoff making it difficult to find our location on the map. However, I think this was one of the most fun days I had backpacking and I bet others in my group would agree. I believe that bushwhacking immerses a backpacker into the wilderness much more than a hike down a beaten trail.

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