offroad survival - nklr, knot-long, real long

[ephilride@aol.com]

jlwalk@... writes:

> Map and compass.....Put the GPS away and learn how to use these instead, > because they will never let you down, and I have yet to see a GPS that can > show you what the terrain looks like. Learn how to match the contour lines > on the map to the ground you are standing on. After you have mastered > these, then add the GPS to the repetoir.

Very wise advise, but let me tell you how a GPS helped where a map was useless: Seems ol' Knot was out 'splorin and found an "ol' road cross the mout'in". 2 hours later, he had progressed only 10 miles. The terrain wasn't that bad. It was just that he was fully loaded with camp gear and riding 2-up. His 9 year old son, Lil' Knot, was acting as "Mark Twain" and at every mud hole he dismounted and took "sounding" of the mud hole depth with a stick. Knot said, "Ain't no sense gettin' stuck in one those bogs, if'n ya can hep it". Progress was slow. Well, they finally started off the mountain and the jeep trail reduced to a ATV trail which soon became a pig trail. The going got a little risky for the slug they were on - GSPD. Knot told Lil'n, "Ye can go up'in the mount'in with these big rigs, cuz gravity ull' bring ya down whether ye like it or not. But, ye best go cautiously when going down cuz if'in you stick one these pigs in a hole or c'aint turn 'round, there ain't no gettin' out with out'n a tree-mend-dooze battle." A battle Lil' Knot and Big Knot couldn't win without help. This was a classic case of "Double Knot Nervous". They was both skeered. They continued cautiously on down the mountain which required a heavy amount of front braking to check the speed on the steep descent. Rounding a sharp curve - Heartbrake! A downed tree (3 ft dia) right smack dab in the middle of the trail! Turn around and go back? Impossible. After dismounting, saying a silent prayer, and taking a well deserved rest, Lil' Knot yelled, "Hey Dad Knot, look over here. Here is a way 'round the log." After a 1/4 mile recon of the proposed exit, the two adventurers re-mounted. Knot, sans his riding jacket (got too hot), took off like a scalded dog. With great joy, they rejoined civilization. Man and machine had challenged the Wilderness - and won! Winding down the mountain, on well maintained gravel roads, they got lost, had to back track, turn around again, go another way........ the map did not have these roads on it! It was getting dark. In complete frustration, Knot stopped to regather his limited navigational skills, only to discover that his brand new - never previously worn, hi-viz screamin yellow $367 jacket - with wallet and platinum charge card in vest pocket, - It was GONE!!!!!!! Knot could just envision Billy Bob and Bubba finding that yellow thang in the middle of the road with the "Charge Card" as well as a big wad of dead presidents. "Gunna have some fun ta-nite, ain't we Billy Bob!" Gob-smacked and grief stricken, ol' Knot felt worse that KTM's Juan Roma felt when his scoot blew-up while leading Paris-Dakar-Cairo. Knot, not knowing where the jacket had departed (don't use a loose fitting bungee net) was totally devastated. They were lost and had no way of retracing their route 'cuz Knot didn't have a clue which roads they had taken. It had all started to look the same many miles ago. That is, 'til he happen to gaze upon his little GPS. Now the question was, "Could they beat Billy Bob and Bubba to the prize?" And, had the GPS been "tracking" the whole time? Earlier, Knot had noticed the "poor coverage" alert several times. GPS coverage is compromised in steep/rough/deep valley terrain. Knot punched a few buttons on the GPS, found the "track back" function and simply followed the "bread crumbs". Retracing their route, at exactly 7.43 miles he found an unmolested bright yellow blob right dab in the middle of the road. Sorry Billy Bob. Thank you Garmin. Thank you Lord. A map and compass are required for the skilled explorer (and they should be learned by the unskilled). But in the meantime, a GPS, cell phone, and charge card are "my-tee fine, ain't they Billy Bob!" Knot - glad Honey didn't fine out 'bout this one, she be mad as a hornet! ps: Trail mix, too many cups of coffee for breakfast & Moab-less. Begging the list's pardon in advance. pss: This is a true story. The names have been changed to protect the guilty.