I have been doing this for years with an older InReach (built by Delorme) and it works well.
I am always looking for a substitute though because the Garmin interface and operation is very cumbersome and poorly thought out.
Emergency beacons, do you carry one?
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I am always looking for a substitute though because the Garmin interface and operation is very cumbersome and poorly thought out.
Roy
Well-known member
Here in Australia cellphones etc are usually out of signal.
Although you can get a cellphone booster something like the InReach is essential...
John Navitsky
Well-known member
jim0379
Active member
I was with a small group hiking from Yosemite Nat'l Park to Lake Tahoe in the Carson Iceberg Wilderness. One hiker in the group lost footing on the trail, and broke every bone in her ankle. We were probably 8 miles from a road in any direction. I had an InReach and another group member had a Spot. The SOS's resulted in a Civil Air Patrol fixed wing aircraft, which arrived in about an hour, and after he waggled wings upon seeing us and flew off, the California Highway Patrol helicopter and EMT crew arrived about 45 minutes later. Fallen hiker had her ankle stabilized and was in a hospital in Tahoe before the rest of us made it to the evening's planned campsite. Don't leave home without one.
Thanks, I will look into that. Have you used it? My main complaint is getting all of the old messages, tracks etc. off the device that still seem to reside there after synching. Thanks again for your suggestion. I'll be downloading it soon.
John Navitsky
Well-known member
no, we have a pair of the alpha 200i units
joe43
Well-known member
I am amazed at all of the excellent information and advice already posted to this blog entry.
I will add my own recommendation that deals with maps, compasses and basic outdoor skills and knowledge. I am 79 and grew up when electronic stuff was pretty much non existent, especially for outdoor activities. Those venturing in the outdoors knew they had to have topographical maps with them, the ones with contour lines, water features, etc on them, and they had to know how to read them and use a compass (and the sun and shadows) to determine directions. When my wife and I did hiking in Colorado or any other place, I always bought a topo map for the area where I would be hiking even if it had marked trails. Our practice still applies to everyone who ventures out today as far as I am concerned. Paper topo maps and compasses are needed. Get them before you start your trip. Do not rely just on electronic devices or electronic maps as some may fail or some may not be 100% accurate. And you must invest time to learn how to read them and use them properly. For me that took place in the Boy Scouts and US Army. I do like the recommendations of taking some sort of electronic signaling device on any adventure hike or outing asa Plan B or C device.
mapstore.mytopo.com
I will add my own recommendation that deals with maps, compasses and basic outdoor skills and knowledge. I am 79 and grew up when electronic stuff was pretty much non existent, especially for outdoor activities. Those venturing in the outdoors knew they had to have topographical maps with them, the ones with contour lines, water features, etc on them, and they had to know how to read them and use a compass (and the sun and shadows) to determine directions. When my wife and I did hiking in Colorado or any other place, I always bought a topo map for the area where I would be hiking even if it had marked trails. Our practice still applies to everyone who ventures out today as far as I am concerned. Paper topo maps and compasses are needed. Get them before you start your trip. Do not rely just on electronic devices or electronic maps as some may fail or some may not be 100% accurate. And you must invest time to learn how to read them and use them properly. For me that took place in the Boy Scouts and US Army. I do like the recommendations of taking some sort of electronic signaling device on any adventure hike or outing asa Plan B or C device.
MyTopo Map Store: Waterproof Maps Shipped in 24 Hours
Quick order of USGS Topographic Maps, Game Management Unit Maps for Western Big Game Hunting, and Backpacker Pro maps for popular hiking trails. To order custom-centered topo, aerial, and satellite maps or to reorder previously ordered MyTopo maps, call 877-587-9004.
mapstore.mytopo.com
John Navitsky
Well-known member
to be fair, paper topos may not be accurate as well
Well said and very true. I carry two GPS devices, one of them is an InReach and I also use my phone's GPS to plot my location on third party maps on the phone such as Alltrails. i do this out of curiosity more than a specific need.I am amazed at all of the excellent information and advice already posted to this blog entry.
I will add my own recommendation that deals with maps, compasses and basic outdoor skills and knowledge. I am 79 and grew up when electronic stuff was pretty much non existent, especially for outdoor activities. Those venturing in the outdoors knew they had to have topographical maps with them, the ones with contour lines, water features, etc on them, and they had to know how to read them and use a compass (and the sun and shadows) to determine directions. When my wife and I did hiking in Colorado or any other place, I always bought a topo map for the area where I would be hiking even if it had marked trails. Our practice still applies to everyone who ventures out today as far as I am concerned. Paper topo maps and compasses are needed. Get them before you start your trip. Do not rely just on electronic devices or electronic maps as some may fail or some may not be 100% accurate. And you must invest time to learn how to read them and use them properly. For me that took place in the Boy Scouts and US Army. I do like the recommendations of taking some sort of electronic signaling device on any adventure hike or outing asa Plan B or C device.
MyTopo Map Store: Waterproof Maps Shipped in 24 Hours
Quick order of USGS Topographic Maps, Game Management Unit Maps for Western Big Game Hunting, and Backpacker Pro maps for popular hiking trails. To order custom-centered topo, aerial, and satellite maps or to reorder previously ordered MyTopo maps, call 877-587-9004.
It is remarkable how the three different GPS's will show three different locations for me on their respective maps at the same time. They are off by fractions of a mile versus miles but that can be alarming in the mountains. At times they will lose connectivity entirely so maps are a great backup resource.
After I retired I worked as a fly fishing guide for several years and would download and print out 8x10" topo maps of the back country. I haven't guided for about 15 years but still have a file folder stuffed with topo maps stashed in my car between the driver's seat and the console and still refer to them from time to time.
Thanks again for your comments.
Roy
Well-known member
I wish paper maps were more readily available theses days.I am amazed at all of the excellent information and advice already posted to this blog entry.
I will add my own recommendation that deals with maps, compasses and basic outdoor skills and knowledge. I am 79 and grew up when electronic stuff was pretty much non existent, especially for outdoor activities. Those venturing in the outdoors knew they had to have topographical maps with them, the ones with contour lines, water features, etc on them, and they had to know how to read them and use a compass (and the sun and shadows) to determine directions. When my wife and I did hiking in Colorado or any other place, I always bought a topo map for the area where I would be hiking even if it had marked trails. Our practice still applies to everyone who ventures out today as far as I am concerned. Paper topo maps and compasses are needed. Get them before you start your trip. Do not rely just on electronic devices or electronic maps as some may fail or some may not be 100% accurate. And you must invest time to learn how to read them and use them properly. For me that took place in the Boy Scouts and US Army. I do like the recommendations of taking some sort of electronic signaling device on any adventure hike or outing asa Plan B or C device.
MyTopo Map Store: Waterproof Maps Shipped in 24 Hours
Quick order of USGS Topographic Maps, Game Management Unit Maps for Western Big Game Hunting, and Backpacker Pro maps for popular hiking trails. To order custom-centered topo, aerial, and satellite maps or to reorder previously ordered MyTopo maps, call 877-587-9004.
Like cellphone coverage - Electronic maps are just not available in the places I like to go...
You can find the maps online from GAIA, Alltrails etc. There seems to be a lot of sources.I wish paper maps were more readily available theses days.
Like cellphone coverage - Electronic maps are just not available in the places I like to go...
Just download them and print them. Unless the map is trail specific I usually just download the map and select the section of the map that I want and then print that.
This is great info. Did not know that there were so many different options.
Once I'm back in a canoe next spring even though lots of it will be in view of a major city's skyline I'll be carrying something (likely Garmin InReach) other than relying on my cell phone; should have it now for the non wilderness hiking I'm doing since I do it almost exclusively alone and I've checked a few times and found zero cell coverage. This thread was a good reminder that I've forgotten that cell phones are not the tool needed!
Palouse
Well-known member
Maps | U.S. Geological Survey
Our programs produce accurate geologic maps and 3-D geologic frameworks that provide critical data for sustaining and improving the quality of life and economic vitality of the Nation. They also organize, maintain, and publish the geospatial baseline of the Nation's topography, natural...
USGS maps may also be available at State Land Grant Universities and/or State Geological Service offices, USFS and NPS sites.
Sending you a private message.
I drove a Chevy Silverado ZR2 yesterday, along with a 2019 Land Cruiser and a 2022 Ford F150 Tremor. I would love to take a Sequoia out but not many out there and the ones that are dealers are selling for significantly over MSRP which is a no go for me.