In terms of GPS... I used one this month.

Now that the signal is no longer scrambled by the military, they are much more useful for this type of navigation.
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After working with digitized maps of Beaverhouse, Quetico, Conk, and Jean (I got Canadian Military topos,and scanned the sections I needed) and GPS software on my Mac to set up waypoints and transfering them into my GPS, I created a route from point to point. The GPS points you toward your next goal and tells you distance (and speed, if you're interested)

I put in enough waypoints so that each was line of sight from the preceding, that way direction and distance to goal was always accurate. By setting up a route, I could tell total distance for each day. (A big help in planning)

Batteries are a concern, but not too much. I use an external antenna and had the GPS on whenever paddling. I only had to change batteries (4 AAs) once in eight days.

If anyone's interested, I could send them a copy of the maps (jpg format) with points marked and a list of Lat./Long. for each waypoint.

PS (I still enjoy map and compass navigating too and recommend knowing and practicing those skills as well.
(It's fun, low tech, and can save you when the GPS stops working)

Posted by Glenn on August 25, 2000 at 10:46