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How to Use GPS to Navigate While Hiking

How to Use GPS to Navigate While Hiking

Photo by Johnnie Chamberlin

A thousand years ago, people navigated using the position of the sun and the north star. Five hundred years ago, they used compasses and astrolabes. Twenty years ago, hikers used compasses and topo maps. About 10 years ago, people started using GPS units that could show their exact location. Learn how to use a GPS unit to navigate while hiking and use technology to keep you heading the right direction.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:
  • GPS unit Map (strongly recommended) Extra batteries for GPS (optional)
  • GPS unit
  • Map (strongly recommended)
  • Extra batteries for GPS (optional)
Step 1
Prepare your GPS unit before you leave. Make sure your GPS has fresh batteries. If you have access to them, upload topo maps for your hike area. Also, obtain a good map of the area that is waterproof, if possible.
Step 2
Navigate while hiking. If you installed detailed topographic maps on your GPS unit, navigating is a cinch since you can zoom in and out to see exactly where on the map you are.
Step 3
Use your GPS coordinates to find out exactly where you are, even if you don't have a good map installed on your unit. Most topo maps include latitude and longitude information along the sides and most use units of degrees, minutes, seconds. Just compare the coordinates given on your GPS unit to those along the sides of your map to find out where you are. Make sure you are getting a strong satellite signal to ensure accurate navigation.
Step 4
Verify your location using landmarks. GPS units usually have a compass feature. Once you've determined your location on the map, use the compass feature to check landmarks to make double sure of your location. For example, if the map shows a mountain to the north of your location and a large river just to the east, use the compass and look around to make sure that is the case.
Step 5
Check your location every hour or two to make sure you are track. Water breaks, snack breaks and catch-your-breath breaks are all good times to make sure you are where you think you are. The longer you wait between checks, the longer you have to backtrack if you make a mistake.

Tips & Warnings

 
Setting your GPS to the same units as your map can help make navigating by GPS much easier. Towering rock walls or dense forest canopy can weaken your signal reception. Move to an open area if you have trouble getting an accurate location reading. Bring extra batteries and a compass just in case.
 
Setting your GPS to the same units as your map can help make navigating by GPS much easier.
 
Towering rock walls or dense forest canopy can weaken your signal reception. Move to an open area if you have trouble getting an accurate location reading.
 
Bring extra batteries and a compass just in case.

Article Written By Johnnie Chamberlin

Johnnie Chamberlin lives and works in Bloomington, Ind. He holds a Master of Science in civil and environmental engineering from Duke University and a Bachelor of Arts from UC Berkeley. Over the last five years, he has written numerous articles for several magazines, trails.com, and other websites. He is the author of "Trails of Little Rock."

Write for Trails.com

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