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Posted by Blackbeard on September 27, 2007 at 6:19:21 am EDT
In reply to First overnighter - a few things learned. posted by Blackbeard on September 14, 2007 at 9:36:04 am EDT

rambler,

Thanks for the tips.

Concerning the pedometer -

A pedometer is only an estimating device. It's only good, at best, when the paces are close to the same stride length and what was programmed into the unit. Well aware of that point.

I don't explain myself very well all the time, so I'll try putting the pedometer usage in different words. I would have to compare the use of a pedometer in the woods alot like the dead reckoning from my piloting days. You estimate time, number of steps, and average number of steps to a certain point to estimate where you are or how long till you get somewhere. Of course, a TOPO map helps also, which I used, and which had the planned trail drawn on it along with mileage to waypoints along the way.

It was helpful to me only because I didn't overestimate my mileage. I knew that if my pedometer said 2 miles, it had to be less. There were a few waypoints I could check the pedometer against along the way. So I could establish an average based on what it said to what I really had walked.

It was my first outing, and I discovered that as I was wandering along a trail, it was very easy to loose track of where I was or how long I had been walking. The pedometer kept track of both in some way. (steps per minute, time walked, and steps). It was also useful in knowing about how many steps I needed to get somewhere once I had established my pacing. And believe me, once I was nearing a stopping point with my 40 pounder on my back going uphill, that was real important.

A pedometer is so lightweight, I will probably carry it all the time. At least until I get a GPS. And maybe after. I think it's a very efficient, albeit imprecise, tool.

Ultimately, my biggest problem was my large, old-fashioned sleeping bag that was strapped to the bottom of my pack. It was heavy, and threw off the balance of the pack on my back. It stuck out quite a bit. So, I'm looking for a better pack now.

Keep throwing those ideas at me. I really like them all.

Steve

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