My backpacking route epiphany came from a dead battery

I was deep in the woods when my phone died, and I had no paper map! I had to find my way using sun position and stream flow. It taught me that over-relying on gadgets can leave you helpless. Now I always carry a physical map and compass. This simple change has boosted my confidence on the trail!

3 comments

3 Comments

wyatt_mason116d ago

That "over-relying on gadgets" thing is a big theme in that book Deep Survival.

emma3496d ago

That "fancy smartwatch died" part is why my dad says we forget how to read maps.

the_jessica7d ago

Yeah, that reminds me of when my fancy smartwatch died halfway through a run in a new city. I was so used to it telling me every turn that I completely blanked on the street names I'd looked at. Ended up adding two miles just trying to find a major road I recognized. The irony of a fitness tracker making me get more lost exercise was not lost on me.