👇 Watch: Last week’s video

What Happens When Your GPS Fails:

The Importance of Traditional Navigation Skills

Technology has become a hiker's best friend. Whether it's tracking your route, checking weather patterns, or pinpointing your location, GPS devices and smartphones have made navigating the wilderness easier than ever before. But what happens when your GPS fails?

It's easy to forget that these devices, despite their convenience, are not foolproof. Dead batteries, loss of signal, or device malfunctions can leave you stranded and disoriented in unfamiliar terrain. This is why knowing traditional navigation skills—like reading a map and using a compass—is not just an old-fashioned skill, but an essential one for anyone serious about hiking.

Let’s dive into why these skills matter and how to be prepared when your GPS lets you down.

The Limits of GPS Technology

GPS devices are incredible tools - I have been using one in some way, shape or form for around 20 years and more recently I navigate with a GPS on my wrist in my watch - but they have their limits.

A few common scenarios where GPS can fail include:

No Signal: In dense forests, deep valleys, or remote mountain areas, GPS devices can sometimes struggle to maintain a signal, leaving you without location updates.

Battery Drain: Extended hikes can drain your device’s battery, especially if you're using it for navigation, photos, or communication. A dead battery means no GPS.

Device Failure: Electronics can malfunction, especially in extreme conditions like cold weather, heavy rain, or accidental drops (e.g. down a deep hole or off the side of a mountain). A damaged GPS can leave you without a crucial tool.

Relying solely on GPS means you're taking a gamble with your safety, especially on longer or more remote hikes.

Why Traditional Navigation Skills Matter

When technology fails, your survival depends on your ability to navigate using traditional methods. Here's why it's crucial to master these skills:

Maps Don’t Lose Signal: A topographic map provides an unchanging, reliable view of the terrain. By understanding how to read it, you can identify landmarks, plot routes, and stay oriented, no matter where you are.

Pro tip - I always carry a laminated map or at the very worst, one printed on waterproof paper to protect it from the elements.

A Compass Never Runs Out of Battery: Knowing how to use a compass to find your bearings can save you from wandering in circles. When used with a map, a compass can guide you to safety, even in fog, rain, or thick forests.

Self-Reliance: Understanding traditional navigation increases your self-sufficiency on the trail. Instead of depending on technology, you become a more resourceful and confident hiker.

Essential Navigation Skills

To prepare for any potential GPS failure, here are the basic navigation skills every hiker should know:

Reading Topographic Maps: A topographic map shows elevation changes, landmarks, and terrain features. Learn how to interpret contour lines, identify peaks and valleys, and plot your route before setting out.

Using a Compass: Understand the basic functions of a compass, including finding true north, following bearings, and triangulating your position using landmarks.

Dead Reckoning (Not the Mission Impossible Movie 😉): If you lose your bearings, dead reckoning is a method of estimating your position based on your last known location, your pace, and the direction of travel. This skill can be a lifesaver when you're unsure where you are on the map.

Orienting the Map: Align your map with the landscape by using your compass to match the terrain features on the map with those around you. This ensures you’re not navigating in the wrong direction and it’s also essential when trying to identify landmarks.

Identifying Natural Landmarks: Learn to use the landscape—mountains, rivers, and ridge lines—as reference points. These natural features are often more reliable than trails that may be poorly marked or overgrown.

When to Practice Traditional Skills

Ideally, you should practice these skills before you need them. Consider these opportunities to sharpen your navigation abilities:

On Shorter, Familiar Hikes: Practice using your map and compass on well-known trails. This way, you’ll get comfortable with the tools without the pressure of being lost.

During Group Hikes: Even when hiking with others, take the lead in navigating using traditional methods. It’s a great way to reinforce your skills in a supportive environment.

In Different Terrain: Practice navigating in varied terrain, like forests, mountains, and open areas, where it’s harder to rely on obvious trails. This builds your confidence to handle tougher situations.

Carrying Both Tools: GPS and Traditional Gear

While traditional skills are crucial, GPS devices still have their place. The best approach is to use both GPS and traditional tools together:

Backup Batteries: Always carry extra batteries or a portable charger for your GPS/phone to extend its usability. I even carry a backup battery on day walks.

Map and Compass: Even if you have a GPS, always bring a map and compass as a backup. Make sure they’re easily accessible in your pack. They weigh very little and there’s also something nice about pulling a hard copy map out at camp each day and perusing the coming walk.

Learn Your GPS: Understand your GPS device’s functions, including how to download offline maps and navigate without signal.

Final Thoughts

In the wild, being over-reliant on technology can put you at serious risk. Knowing how to navigate using traditional skills like a map and compass is not just about being old-school—it’s about being prepared. GPS is a wonderful tool, but when it fails, your ability to read the landscape, follow bearings, and rely on your instincts becomes your most valuable survival skill.

So next time you hit the trail, make sure you’re equipped not only with technology but also with the knowledge to find your way, no matter what happens. After all, true adventure starts when you're able to confidently navigate the unknown.

THAT’S ALL FOR THIS WEEK

Thank you for reading Mowser’s Musings. I hope you found it helpful.

Upgrade your subscription for an ad-free experience and exclusive perks. Explore the new tiers here.

Until next week.

Stay well,

Mowser

Helping hiking enthusiasts explore the great outdoors

Follow me on YouTube and Instagram