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GPS is not infallible

You should not substitute the use of a GPS receiver for a map and map reading skills.

Gadgets stop working, but your map reading skills will stay with you.

GPS does not function everywhere.

Battery life is limited.

Depending on a GPS unit to intentionally be separated from your hiking partners can lead toconfusion or even disaster. Be certain that the people you are with are happy with this prospect.

and...

from the National Park Service Morning Report of Monday, June 9, 2008

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (AZ,UT)

Couple Rescued After Four Days Stranded In Backcountry

Park dispatch received a call routed through 911 from Kane County dispatch on May 31stregarding people stranded in the backcountry and needing medical attention. A Pennsylvaniacouple in their 60s had rented a two-wheel drive sedan and were vacationing in the Glen Canyonarea. They planned to drive from Big Water to Escalante, both small towns in southern Utah, viaa rugged four-wheel drive road. They later reported that the GPS unit in their vehicle advisedthat they could travel this route. About 45 miles from Big Water, though, the vehicle broke downafter the oil pan was ripped out and the engine seized. The couple had several bottles of waterand soda with them, but no food nor other means of survival. After being stranded for four days

with daytime temperatures in the high 80s, they were able to flag down a visitor on a dirt bikewho called 911 on his cell phone. Classic Lifeguard launched two helicopters from Page to flythe couple out. They were extremely dehydrated and were kept at the hospital overnight forobservation. The couple never stopped at any of the various visitor centers to ask forinformation, nor did they did turn back when they came upon signs on this backcountry roadwhich said that the road was impassable. If they hadn’t encountered the person on the dirt bike,

it’s likely that they would have perished. Rangers are increasingly dealing with visitors who relyon navigation systems which may provide misleading information, often with tragic results.

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While navigation systems such as GPS units can be fine tools, nothing can replace up-to-dateinformation from informed personnel as well as using common sense when out in remote areas. [Submitted by Eric Scott, Acting District Ranger]

From the National Park Service Morning Report of Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Zion National Park (UT)

Trio Rescued from Heaps Canyon

On May 31st, three men set out to traverse Behunin Canyon, a venture that requires eight rappelsof up to 150 feet. They used a GPS unit as their primary means for locating the head of thecanyon. The canyon that they found and entered, though, was Heaps Canyon. The heads of thetwo canyons are separated by a quarter mile, and the differences between the two routes wouldhave been apparent if the men had used a map or a detailed route description.

The Heaps Canyon route is a multi-day trip that includes swims through numerous potholes withwater temperatures in the 40s and many rappels, including one of 300 feet. The men discusseddiscontinuing their trip when they failed to find anchors at the first cliff band, but they insteadcreated an anchor and forged ahead. Once they realized their mistake, they were unable to returnto the canyon rim. On the morning of June 1st, one of the men decided that he’d had enough of swimming through the frigid pools and climbed to a nearby knoll to await rescue. The other twocontinued into the narrowest section of the canyon. The three men were reported overdue on theevening of May 31st. A ranger patrol began a hasty search of Behunin Canyon the next morning,but determined by that afternoon that the men were not in that canyon. A helicopter search wasthen begun. All three men were located and equipment, clothes and radios were lowered to them.On the morning of June 2nd, additional equipment was lowered to the pair in the canyon, and

they were able to complete the passage under their own power. The third man was flown out inthe helicopter. Rangers are surprised that the two men who continued on down the canyon didnot succumb to hypothermia. Thick wetsuits or drysuits are typically used to traverse the route.[Submitted by Ray O’Neil, Plateau District Ranger]

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(Cost of a handheld Global Positioning System receiver in 1977 $3,000)

cost of a GPS receiver $119 to $499.99 to...

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cost of a handheld compass $8.99 to $79.99

cost of Staying Found, by June Fleming or Be an Expert with Map and Compass, by BjornKjellstrom: free at the library.

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see also: Cell phones in the wilderness which has advice on how/when to use a cell phone tocontact 911 in the wilderness and a warning about interference between cell phones, iPods andavalanche beacons.

You can't always expect a helicopter rescue 

Thunderstorm and lightning safety includes a warning about not using your cell phone or IPodduring a storm.

fatal, near fatal or close call incidents/accidents in camping, backpacking, climbing andmountaineering