image credit: jcwestbrook
Years ago, you could check multiple hiker’s guides or camper’s packing checklists and find a navigational compass listed as an essential item to bring on any outdoor adventure. Do a similar search today, and a compass may be listed less than half the time. That begs the question, is it really necessary to bring, and know how to use, a compass? Here are a few things to keep in mind.
You might be able to skip packing a compass if:
- You’re traveling with a tour guide, in which case it should be a safe to assume that they have made the same trip many times before and are well versed in both the trails and surrounding areas.
- You plan to stay firmly one foot in front of another on a well-marked trail.
- You’re hiking in an area that you’re intimately familiar with, and from which you can see buildings and other evidence of bustling urban life in multiple directions.
However, definitely plan to pack a compass if:
- You’re traveling solo.
- You’re hiking in an area you’ve never visited before.
- You’re the adventurous type that likes to leave the well-worn paths for lesser-explored territories.
Cautionary stories of seasoned hikers who have gotten lost abound, so it’s not a bad idea to take to heart the Boy Scouts of America motto and be prepared. You never know when the batteries on the GPS will run out, and a navigational compass is a great backup. At approximately two ounces and smaller than a cell phone, there should be enough space for a compass in any hiker’s pack.
Just make sure you know how to use it!
Tags: navigational compass, outdoor hiking gear, what to pack when hiking
