Traditional map and compass skills are still necessary, the MCofS said
Over-reliance on electronic gadgets could put hillwalkers’ lives at risk, experts warned.
The Mountaineering Council of Scotland said technology is taking over people’s lives, but traditional navigation skills are still necessary.
The organisation, which represents hillwalkers, climbers and mountaineers north of the border, said more than ever, people are relying on smartphones or GPS devices to do their navigating for them in the mountains.
But it said, where this may be enough in towns and cities, and on the road network, mountain safety experts are warning that traditional navigation skills are still necessary out in the wilds.
It pointed out that at least one mountain rescue team has had to deal with a callout where a couple could give an exact location thanks to their GPS, but were unable to use that information to navigate off the mountain safely.
Heather Morning, mountain safety adviser for the MCofS, said: “This couple were able to use their GPS to give the emergency services a 10-figure grid reference, which narrows a position down to one square metre – and that’s exactly where we found them.
“If only they had had the ability to relate the grid reference to the map that they had, they would have been able to get off the hill safely on their own. They just didn’t have the knowledge to properly use the equipment they had, or to navigate without it.
“They were lucky that where they got ‘lost’ they had mobile phone reception, otherwise it might have been a very different story.”
Ms Morning pointed out that over-reliance on technology could even be putting lives at risk. She said: “Aside from the limitations of battery life, reception and limits on using touch screens with gloves on, the issue lies with people, and their ability – or lack of ability – in basic navigation skills.
“As technology takes over our day-to-day lives, it seems an easy option to push a few buttons and follow an arrow. But a GPS, smartphone or navigation app is unable to read important subtleties such as a sensible route choice.
The MCofS said it offers subsidised navigation courses
“Unless you have already used your navigational abilities to programme in an exact route, it won’t direct you away from cliffs or show you the best place to cross a river – or offer an alternative if a bridge is down or the river in flood.”
The MCofS said such incidents underline the importance of underpinning modern technology with a sound knowledge of traditional navigational skills with a map and compass.
As part of its role in improving safety in Scotland’s mountains, the MCofS pointed out it offers a number of heavily subsidised navigation courses, which give walkers an easy to follow practical introduction to map and compass skills which will make them safer and more confident in the mountains.
Details are on the MCofS website.
Nick Webster
14 May 2015Well they would say that, they sell navigation courses! There is no better way to navigate on the fells than a GPS loaded with the relevant OS maps.
Paper maps are an anachronism and will fall out of use entirely in the coming decades.
Personally I use two smartphones (one as a backup) loaded with the above, and have not taken a paper map on the fells in the last six years.
Roger Sutton
14 May 2015I think the point was also that some people also need help in identifying a location on a map from a reference and interpreting the map to decide a safe route. The underlying media of the map is unimportant in that sense, it's about reading the map.
TH
14 May 2015Totally disagree with Nick Webster's comments. You are foolish not taking a map with you and you have been lucky up to now. Electronic stuff can and will go wrong even if you take a back up device.
ian512
14 May 2015I know that while relying on a GPS (even with the 1:25k map displayed) I gradually lose the level of concentration I would have while using a map and compass in poor weather. That therefore means that the extent of my ‘map-memory’ and 'general awareness' has been reduced, which of course may be a personal failing but I suspect it is not just me.
If the GPS which is being used fails for whatever reason - it is a bit like having a group leader [who has been doing all the navigating] suddenly disappear.
However, a good navigator who has lost a map and even a compass could using ‘map-memory’ at the very least get themselves off the hill – though maybe miles from the transport. It used to be called ‘self-reliance’.
According to Ed Cooke, “I have a theory that it is in the interest of tech giants to make us as empty headed as possible so they can sell us something to help.”
Peter Marshall
14 May 2015Totally disagree with Nick..
As a member of an MRTeam it gets frustrating over the year when so many incidents attend or we read about could have been avoided if people didn't rely on Tech....
The best tech is a map and compass...
SIMPLE AS THAT..
No batteries required no reliance and a GOOD GPS lock. Just get out there with those that know what they are doing and learn to use them properly... And your set for life.
COMPLETELY IRRESPONSIBLE to not have them and know how to use them.
Iain
14 May 2015Incidences of 'lost' walkers who are able to give a 10-figure grid reference don't generally arise due their reliance on technology, but their inability to use that technology effectively. The ability to read and interpret a map is just as important a skill when using a GPS as it is a 'traditional' map and compass.
It's been my experience that nothing teaches map reading skills quite like learning (and practicing) compass skills. Even if you plan to use a GPS exclusively, it's not a wasted effort, since so much of the knowledge is transferable. You'll also have gathered some other valuable skills as a backup against the (almost) inevitable.
As to Nick's comments above, when a GPS or smartphone is invented that is as waterproof, battery-free, lightweight, readable, large, foldable, robust and inexpensive as my printed and laminated OS maps, I will indeed go GPS only - and quite possibly never look back. I'll still be glad I learned to use a map and compass though...
J Breen
14 May 2015Gps devices can give false readings. The satellite signal can reflect from steep faces producing a longer signal path and a resultant false location. This has happened to me on several occasions.
Sometimes the weather can be so bad that using a GPS can become extremely difficult. Memorising compass bearings and using a compass is sometimes the only way. For example descendind from the top of a climb on the ben in blizzard conditions. Got that tee shirt too.
madcarew
14 May 2015Two maps, two compasses, and a basic gps in case I need a little reassurance...Russians and Yanks can't turn a map and compass off!
Sheepy
14 May 2015In 33 years of hill walking (and counting) I have always used a map and compass. Never in all that time have I ever got lost, not once. I have never needed GPS or a smartphone.
I can also stand on the top of nearly every hill mountain in Northern England and tell you the names of every other hill, valley lake etc from memory within view. That's not bragging its to highlight the point that I spend hours looking at the dozens of OS Maps I own and almost memorising them (to a point). Maps allow you to look at the much wider area in context and scale
Every time I go anywhere else in the UK I will buy the OS maps for that area. I've never been lost there either. A map forms a visual picture not only of the route but of the terrain and many other points of interest. I don't even have Sat Nav in my car. I used to work with people who would set the Sat Nav to leave the office to drive home! What? How stupid must you be to do that?
As with everything these days GPS is for the lazy and ultimately when it goes wrong, and it will, you'll be stuffed without a map and compass and the ability to use them.
Pete Owens
14 May 2015Map and compass on the hill every time. If I make a navigation error I've only myself to blame.
The one time I might have been glad of GPS was a very white day on Ben Wyvis when I found out where I was to the nearest metre a second or two after I went through the cornice. Would GPS have prevented this? Nah - it was twenty five years ago.
Adam Dawson
15 May 2015Like all things, the GPS vs map debate is just a matter of balance. I've used an OS1:25k mapping app on an iPad for almost all my navigation for the last 3 years and not had a problem. Including using it on a 1500 mile backpacking hike from Lands End to John OGroats and for winter ascents of 10000 ft peaks in the Alps.
This GPS based system has advantages over paper map and compass in that it's harder to get lost, you never find yourself without the "right" map and you don't have to deal with the nightmare of folding your paper map to show the right bit on the top of Ben Nevis in a driving sleet-storm. And of course it's a lot lighter if you're on a multi day trek and don't want to carry a ton of maps.
But you have to be sensible and know what you are doing. You need to carry spare batteries and you need a good waterproof case. If using gloves, you need ones which work on touch screens. You also need to keep the GPS warm as below about minus 10 the battery life declines. And of course you need to understand how to use the software properly. Finally, you do need a backup (I use an iPhone as backup to the IPad mini). I also always carry a compass and tend to carry a small scale paper map of the general area as well, so I can make an escape if the technology fails (which it never has).
So it works for me but it isn't for everyone. GPS isn't infallible but paper maps and compass aren't either. And GPS technology is improving all the time.
Peter
15 May 2015The ability to 'read' a map and understand it are basic. If using a GPS you still have to understand and be aware of where you are. I carry a compass but have not had need of it in years, even when using just a map. You should be reading the terrain and applying that to the map. If the weather is so awful why would you be out?
Of course backup to GPS is sensible, but so is a backup of a map ripped out of your hands by high winds) Compass' can be wrong.
heidi
15 May 2015Nick- you are joking right??
Mark L.
20 May 2015Hi All,
Personally I agree with the first poster. I use GPS only (I do know how to read a map, but haven't for years) and I can't tell you how many times I've helped paper map users off hills.
It seems the old school are perhaps unwilling to embrace this 'new' technology.
I guess we'll see if Nick turns out to be right in the years to come!
Cheers.
ian512
20 May 2015Global Positioning Systems provide us all with great benefits; however, there are a large number of studies which have looked into the relationship between using GPS and the development of spatial memory and mental maps.
“GPS is the first technology in the history of navigation that gives you an answer to a spatial question without you needing to be engaged at all."
"How to avoid losing our mental maps? The answer, as always, is practice. Next time you’re in a new place, forget the GPS device. Study a map to get your bearings, then try to focus on your memory of it to find your way around."
Julia Frankenstein, University of Freiburg
Good orienteers can navigate, accurately and quickly, using just a map - no GPS for obvious reasons. MLTUK assessment candidates are asked to navigate, accurately and quickly, in poor visability with just a map.
A GPS unit will usually give an accurate location by way of a marker on an electronic map, or a grid reference, but there is more to good navigation than a grid reference or being led by a red dot.
Whether you are using an electronic map or a paper map you still have to be able to read and understand the map, and be able to use that understanding to navigate the ground you're on.
The GPS unit can't read the map for you!
Mark
21 May 2015There is no skill in pressing a button. It is spoon-fed information that you assume to be correct. Competent map and compass skills are the key to efficient and effective navigation.
GPS are a quick way to bypass years of experience, and can give you a false sense of security when faced with challenging conditions. Being able to pinpoint where you are is only one aspect of hillwalking as there is so much more to hill skills than map reading - personal competency, experience of similar routes, appropriate kit and clothing, understanding the terrain and weather, an honest appreciation of your own ability and fitness, being able to route plan whilst on the hills in case conditions change and then make appropriate route choices...
ian512
21 May 2015Could the unintended consequences of increased use of technology actually mean there is more for the rescue services to do.
The old concept is worth remembering - 'safety benefits' can rapidly become 'performance benefits'. I'll be OK, I have a phone with its map and GPS.
As long as a button can be pressed for assistance when it all goes pear-shaped, does it really matter if common sense and good navigation skills are present?
Margaret
29 May 2015Good points.