Navigation and Trip Planning
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I Am Not Lost. I Am Bushwhacking
Bushwhacking is a form of off-trail hiking where you need to navigate through dense vegetation to locate your destination. Getting…
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Trail Blazing Conventions and Guidelines
The first question that most volunteer trail adopters ask is “When do I get to paint a blaze?” I know,…
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Backcountry Navigation in a Group by Blake Miller
There is nothing more enjoyable than hiking with friends in the backcountry. However, preparation is essential for any wilderness trek. When…
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Walking in Circles – Common Bushwhacking Mistakes
I got lost in the woods using a compass a few weeks ago when we were bushwhacking West Field, a…
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Hiking into the Past with Historic Maps
When I plan hikes in the White Mountains, especially off-trail hikes, I try to research the history of the area…
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Navigating with an Altimeter
If you’re a hiker or a backpacker, an altimeter can be a powerful navigation aid when used in conjunction with…
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I Don’t Let the Weather Determine When I Hike
I saw someone write “I don’t let the weather determine when I hike” on a hiking message board recently, and it’s got to…
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How to Read a Topographic Map
Whenever you go hiking it’s important to bring a map with you. Ideally, this will be a topographic map, which…
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Pacing and Estimating Distance by Blake Miller
Many outdoors men and women measure distance in the backcountry by using a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. GPS receivers…
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Hiking Route Planning and Local Knowledge
You should never underestimate the importance of local knowledge when planning a backpacking route or day hike. Trail conditions tend…
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The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Grid System by Blake Miller
Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) is a grid system that describes a person’s location in the backcountry. It is wonderfully simple…
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How Often Should You Update Your Maps?
I was giving a talk about hiking the White Mountain 4000 footers last year and one of the attendees asked…
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GPS Device or Smartphone App Navigation?
I’ve been testing two GPS navigation devices this summer: a higher-end GPS unit and a smartphone app that has very…
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Reader Poll: Does your Compass have a Declination Adjustment?
If you take a compass navigation class, the instructor is likely to teach you how to translate between magnetic bearings…
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