Debate: paper maps vs GPS for the John Muir Trail

I used to swear by paper maps for 10 years until I got caught in a storm last summer on the JMT and my phone GPS saved me 3 hours of guesswork, but my buddy still says phones die and paper never fails, which side makes more sense for a 10 day route like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

jackson.max13d ago

Dude same, GPS saved my ass in a whiteout once.

taylor_wells13d ago

A whiteout? That's terrifying. I didn't realize GPS could even function in those conditions, I thought the satellites would lose track.

kim_mason5513d ago

Oh man, yeah GPS doesn't care about weather since it works with radio signals from space, not visual sight lines. It's actually one of the few things that keeps working when you can't see your own hand in front of your face.