Hiking

. . . Where The Hellarewe

Hiking GPS was possibly invented for the almost extinct “Hellarewe” tribe, a tribe of very short people who live amongst the tallest grasses of the African plains . . . and spend their entire days jumping up and down shouting “Where the Hellarewe”,  (closely related to the Fakarwe tribe), well, when you have a hiking GPS system you’ll know exactly where the hell you are without the need to jump up and down, climb trees or make any complicated calculations.

Told you they were small . . . they didn’t even catch a glimpse of them on this film but they’re there alright, trust me!

Hikers are adventurous types, that’s why they like to spend every spare day or hour of their time exploring the wilderness with nothing more than a back pack full of essentials, and a hiking GPS system . . . but the really smart ones know that they also need to take a map and compass . . . maps and compass don’t need batteries and don’t rely on electronic gadgetry, they just need a little know-how and experience, that’s all.  Anyway, on this page we’re talking about GPS systems which are great for hikers and backpackers, especially the ones who travel away from the popular hiking trails and really try to lose themselves in the wilderness . . . getting lost on a hike is fun for a while, until you want to know “where the hellarewe” again.

GPS Receivers are pretty common place in vehicles these days, some of them even have them built in and we’ve all got used to some bossy woman telling us where to go (my other half has been used to that for years!), “take the exit . . . take the exit . . . “turn around when possible . . . turn around when possible”, I just wish that she would say “you’ve missed it haven’t you, dumb klutz, why don’t you ever listen” – maybe there is one, I sure hope so, it would make a terrific gift! Anyway, hiking GPS systems don’t have road systems to follow, they can’t tell you how many yards to the next exit, that would be great wouldn’t it . . . ” at the next tree, turn left” . . . .”go around the boulder, second exit” . . . .but it doesn’t work quite like that when you’re hiking or backpacking (more’s the pity).

Don’t you just love that? It’s awesome . . . . now where have I heard that sort of thing before?

Functions of a Hiking GPS

Hiking GPS have 4 basic functions, whichever one you choose. They are intended to;

• Give you the exact location of where you are. Now, because you’re in the wilderness it won’t be able to say stuff like “you are on the corner of Sycamore Avenue”, ‘cos there isn’t a Sycamore Avenue on the majority of hiking trails, so it’ll have to tell you in co-ordinates – either latitude and longitude or UTMs . . . Universal Transverse Mercators.
• Navigate your way to a specific location. In hiking GPS language this is called the “Waypoint”.  How it works is this, your starting waypoint might be somewhere like the hiking trail head (on day one anyway), and then all you’ll need is the co-ordinates of where you’re heading (maybe a camp-site), then the hiking GPS will give you a straight line distance and bearing to your chosen destination. Of course, hiking trails very rarely follow straight lines (they’d be pretty boring if they did) so all the time you’re back packing, climbing and enjoying the beautiful scenery the bearing of the GPS will change constantly.
• Navigate a route – hikers don’t take short cuts (not unless it’s absolutely necessary), that’s not the point of hiking at all, they like to get to their chosen destination via other places. Hiking trails rarely go from point A to point B without taking in lots of viewpoints and other interesting stuff along the way (watering holes maybe), so GPS receivers for hikers can be programmed to direct you from point to point. 
• Laying a track is another great feature of a hiking GPS receiver. Remember the old fairytale about Hansel & Gretel, well, your hiking GPS can lay a trail of virtual breadcrumbs which the pesky birds can’t eat.  This means that you’ll be able to retrace your steps if necessary (oh no, I’ve forgotten my watch, I took it off when we stopped for lunch 3 hours ago . . . can we go back for it)?

Seems like the Dumbleberry has learned his lesson . . . don’t fall for that old trick again bro!

 Hiking GPS Warnings

I’ve already said this once, but I’m going to say it again . . . that’s how important it is. A hiking GPS receiver can enhance the navigation of your hike, but must not replace a compass and map . . . you’ll need the map for the co-ordinates of where you’re heading anyway. Use them together . . . . It’s also important to practice using your hiking GPS receiver before you put your life in its hands. Take a hiking trip to a familiar place and try using the GPS receiver (I know you’ll know the way, but that’s the whole point). Also . . . I know that this will be a very foreign idea to many of you but bear with me . . . read the manual BEFORE you get lost on a hike.

Yep, Ed agrees with me (I knew he would), you still need to take a map and compass with you when you go hiking! Thanks Ed.