These are the technology-based back-up navigational tools. The rapid development of GPS technology and smartphone apps has brought an overwhelming selection of gadgets to the market. Of these, we highly recommend devices produced by Garmin along with their free Connect app. Dedicated GPS devices, especially smartwatches, are great for recording your outdoor activities so you can analyse your performance afterwards, but it is recommended that you always use a hardcopy map and compass as your primary navigation tools.
A handheld GPS device or smartwatch tracks its position using signals from a network of high-orbit satellites, allowing users to determine exactly where they are if they lose their way – even basic models can display a grid reference which can easily be pinpointed on a hardcopy map. More advanced models of GPS have digital mapping installed, displaying this on screen as a real-time background centred on the user’s actual position. While this sounds like the ultimate navigational solution, it is likely to further reinforce people’s dependency on technology while diminishing traditional skills. If you come to rely solely on a GPS device or smartphone app, you are effectively handing over all walk leader responsibilities to a piece of technology which could easily fail. You are not a confident self-navigator if you rely exclusively on a GPS device. As with all portable electronic devices, a handheld GPS requires power from batteries, therefore it is necessary to carry a backup power supply at all times.
A hardcopy map and compass are the preferred navigational tools used by all competent self-navigators in the mountains and hills. Relying exclusively on a GPS device or phone for navigation is strongly discouraged. The person who follows a dot, crosshairs or a GPX route on a tiny screen is not navigating. They are effectively being led by their device. This involves no skill whatsoever and will only increase that person's reliance on technology. We recommend using hardcopy maps and traditional magnetic compass because:
Never rely solely on guidebook maps as your primary navigation tool. Walking guidebook authors only intend that such maps be used as an indicative visual aid to compliment a route description. These are useful for planning purposes, and it is worth having a relevant guidebook in your rucksack in case on-site reference is required. Before setting off on walks described in guidebooks, you are strongly encouraged to purchase the relevant published maps and use these – with a compass – as your primary navigation tools.
A handheld GPS device or smartwatch tracks its position using signals from a network of high-orbit satellites, allowing users to determine exactly where they are if they lose their way – even basic models can display a grid reference which can easily be pinpointed on a hardcopy map. More advanced models of GPS have digital mapping installed, displaying this on screen as a real-time background centred on the user’s actual position. While this sounds like the ultimate navigational solution, it is likely to further reinforce people’s dependency on technology while diminishing traditional skills. If you come to rely solely on a GPS device or smartphone app, you are effectively handing over all walk leader responsibilities to a piece of technology which could easily fail. You are not a confident self-navigator if you rely exclusively on a GPS device. As with all portable electronic devices, a handheld GPS requires power from batteries, therefore it is necessary to carry a backup power supply at all times.
A hardcopy map and compass are the preferred navigational tools used by all competent self-navigators in the mountains and hills. Relying exclusively on a GPS device or phone for navigation is strongly discouraged. The person who follows a dot, crosshairs or a GPX route on a tiny screen is not navigating. They are effectively being led by their device. This involves no skill whatsoever and will only increase that person's reliance on technology. We recommend using hardcopy maps and traditional magnetic compass because:
- their use requires and reinforces an elementary outdoor skill.
- the user is the navigator (this is not the case when using a GPS device, especially one with the day's route loaded in).
- they do not require energy, therefore have less impact on the environment.
- hillwalking and mountaineering should be about having a a digital detox in nature, not squinting at yet another screen.
- satellites, phones, GPS devices and their associated networks and systems are vulnerable to potential outages caused by external factors (e.g. hacking, ransomware, terrorism, solar fluctuations, space junk, etc).
Never rely solely on guidebook maps as your primary navigation tool. Walking guidebook authors only intend that such maps be used as an indicative visual aid to compliment a route description. These are useful for planning purposes, and it is worth having a relevant guidebook in your rucksack in case on-site reference is required. Before setting off on walks described in guidebooks, you are strongly encouraged to purchase the relevant published maps and use these – with a compass – as your primary navigation tools.