I finally understood why my dad always packed a second map

I was talking to a guy at the trailhead near Bend, Oregon last weekend. He was maybe seventy, just coming off a three day loop. I mentioned how I only use my phone for nav now. He said, 'I carry a paper map too. Batteries die, but a map just needs light.' It hit me because my phone died on a trip two years ago and I had to guess my way out. I've since added a basic National Geographic map for my main route. Anyone else have a simple backup they swear by?

3 comments

3 Comments

angelas7816d ago

Oh, that's such a good point. I learned the hard way too, in a canyon with no signal. My phone was just a brick. Now I always fold a paper map into a zip-top bag. It lives right in the top of my pack. It's not just about light, either. A map gives you the whole picture at a glance, which helps you make better choices. That old guy was absolutely right.

sageallen16d ago

What kind of map do you use, @angelas78? I've got a beat-up old topo for my usual spots but always wonder if there's something better.

anderson.jason13d ago

Same thing happens with grocery lists, I swear I can't remember a thing unless I see the whole store map in my head.