Using a GPS for Navigation

Using a GPS for Navigation

I consider myself to be a skilled navigator, a bit of a nerd when it comes to map reading and using a compass along with all of the skills and techniques that make up navigation. At Sierra Nevada Guides we are teaching map reading and navigation throughout the year. On almost every course I am asked, ‘do you use a GPS?’  Well the answer is, “yes sometimes.” 

Some of the GPS devices available: SatMap Active 10, Garmin Etrex 10, Garmin 64S and a Garmin Oregon 650.

Digital mapping of The Sierra Nevada on my lap top

I liken it to having a.b.s. or powered steering in my car. I wouldn’t drive a car without if I had the choice. For me, owning and being able to use a GPS device is another item in my toolbox of navigation techniques. If I am working in remote places, big mountains or going out in poor conditions then I’ll put my GPS in the top of my rucksack.  It goes further than that though.  I like to plan all of my walks in advance using a map.  Often I’ll use online or digital mapping to plan my route. That way I can see the detail of the map clearly (the computer screen is well lit) and I can use a mapping programme that measures the distance of my route, tells me how much ascent there is and just how long it might take me to walk the route! Once out on the walk I’ll be using my map and compass.

The View Ranger App with Gran Canaria mapping on my iPad

Last year I visited Gran Canaria for a walking holiday.  Having downloaded the details of some walks from the local walking guru “Rambling Roger” I was able to install his routes onto the mapping I had on my ipad and use the ipad as my map! 

The other nice thing about using a GPS is that you can make a track of where you have been. This means that once you have finished your route you can see how far you have walked and where you have been on the computer screen.

There have been some memorable moments where I have resorted to using a GPS from my map.

Leaving the Refugio, no need for a GPS.

I remember as part of a two day trip here in Spain’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, we had left the Poqueira Refuge on day 2 and ascended to a ridge that we could use to snowshoe along back to the valley. We left the hut at 2500m in beautiful sunshine and spent an hour ascending gently to the ridge at 2700m. However as we reached the ridge, the mist was swirling in from the far side, and it wasn’t long before the visibility was down to around 20m. Knowing exactly where I was it would have been possible to use a compass bearing and a combination of pacing and timing to keep track of our location along the ridge. But as we were guiding two people it was much easier to get the GPS to do the work for us and so we could snowshoe where the snow was best rather than go in a straight line following a compass. With the GPS doing the work we had a great day playing in the snow!

An hour later, time for the GPS!

Having and using a GPS doesn’t detract from being able to navigate.  Going walking in the hills and mountains using a GPS still requires you to have good map reading and navigation skills. The GPS might tell you the direction but it will not tell you that you are about to walk over a cliff.  A map will describe the terrain and your knowledge and experience will enable you to plan a route safely and how long it will take you. In October 2016, the British military were training in the North West Highlands of Scotland and were using devices to block the satellite signals rendering GPS navigation devices useless. Recently a friend of mine was on Ben Nevis, it was so cold that the batteries of his GPS froze and wouldn’t work. It would be dangerous to have a total reliance on a gadget!

Another question I am frequently asked is what type of GPS should I get? Well that’s the content of another blog. However I’ve been using a GPS for over 10 years. In those days they didn’t come with very good mapping. Even when they did and although we have several with mapping I hung onto my basic old Garmin Etrex as all I wanted from it was a grid reference of where I was. It’s only been in the last 12 months that I have changed my opinion. Most devices now have the ability to install mapping onto them and they have generally got a lot easier to use. I no longer want to spend 5 minutes typing a grid reference into my old ETrex as I now have the choice of touching the place on the map (with a touch screen device) that I want to go to then pressing a button to navigate. 2 presses of a finger taking only 2 or 3 seconds! It’s a similar process with the new button press devices, move the cursor using the joystick to where you want to go to then 2 presses of the button and you are navigating. Slick.

Electronic devices may let you down so keep up to speed with your map and compass navigation skills.

Garmin 64S a good device

Of course it is essential that you have your device set up correctly and know how to use it. We meet lots of people who are not using their device correctly. 

If you are thinking of getting a GPS but are unsure which is the right one for you, you can book a session with us and we’ll show you how they work and let you try them out. These popular 1:1 half day sessions cost  75 Euro’s.  They are also suitable for getting started if you have just acquired one but are uncertain about using it.

Garmin 650 a good device

Sierra Nevada Guides – Getting to Grips with your GPS

•    What is GPS and how does it work

•    What the buttons do and the menus are for…..

•    Setting up your GPS correctly

•    Finding out where I am and relating it to the map.

•    Creating waypoints and making a route.

•    Making a track of where I am walking.

•    Getting information about where I have walked and plotting it on your P.C.

•    Using online programmes to plan a route and transfer it to your GPS.

•    Downloading routes from the internet onto you GPS and following them.

•    What is geocaching and how do I do it?

Mike, Jane, Martin and Steve at Sierra Nevada Guides are qualified International Mountain Leaders who in addition to running navigation courses are available to lead you walking and scrambling in Spain’s Sierra Nevada and Alpujarra.