Lost in the Woods While Trail Riding? GPS Will Bring You Home

Whether your heading out into the desert on your new ATV, or following one of a thousand confusing trails through the forest, loosing track of where you are can put you in a life threatening situation very quickly. Dehydration or hypothermia will have you concerned for your life in a matter of hours, not days.

As a teenager some 50 years ago I quickly got turned around in dense woods that went many miles away from roads and safety. No compass and no knowledge of the area had me confused and lost for hours only to be saved by the sound of a chainsaw that provided enough guidance to lead me back to civilization.

Today's modern technology makes finding your way back as easy as turning around and following the line on the screen.

Many people have a GPS navigation system for their car that provides turn by turn direction from one location to another. All well and good, but totally useless when you turn left at the nearest tree and head off into the unknown. Once you're of the street map, you're on your own.

When it comes to off road GPS there are basically two styles to look at. The least expensive, less than $50, are small units that can be attached to the zipper of your jacket and provide only an arrow similar to a compass arrow that points in the direction of the spot that you locked onto before wandering off into the unknown. As an example when you park your car you click and lock onto the car's location and from that point on the arrow on the unit points in the direction of that location.

This is all well and good if you're on foot and can easily travel as the crow flies -- In a straight line. If you're riding on or in a vehicle of some sorts, Jeep, ATV, Snowmobile, or what ever, following the arrow through a swamp or across the river isn't always an option. For the most part the practical way to return to your starting point is to follow the same route you took into the wilderness.

The next step up in GPS handheld units are those similar to the one I chose, the Garmin Etrex series. There is a wide selection of models starting with the simplest, for under $100, that provide a line, or track to indicate where you've been and the direction you need to go to return. Being off road, maps of city streets or topographical information aren't included. Of course all these additional bells and whistles are available -- for a price.

I chose a slightly upgraded model the Garmin Etrex Legend H. No fancy color screen, and a basic set of road maps that pretty much only indicate main highways. It does provide a line indicating which way "Back Home" is, which in my mind is the most important feature. As I'm usually within a mile or so of a highway, the basic map allows me to keep a general bearing on where I am too.

Off Road GPS isn't the total answer, you still need to rely on maps, compass, and as much knowledge of the area as possible. GPS is just another tool that helps you find your way to a specific location, or more importantly to find your way back.