That GPS beacon I bought almost got me lost in the Smokies

I dropped $180 on a fancy personal locator beacon before my solo trip through the Smokies last fall. Thought it would be my safety net if things went sideways. First night out, the thing wouldn't get a satellite lock no matter where I set it up. Spent almost two hours messing with it under the trees while the light was fading. Ended up just relying on my old paper map and compass like I should have from the start. The beacon worked fine when I got to an open ridge the next day, but what good is that when you're down in a hollow? Has anyone else had a GPS device fail them at the worst time?

2 comments

2 Comments

gray66d ago

30 years of backcountry hiking and I've seen plenty of GPS units fail in heavy cover or cold weather. The real issue isn't the gadget but people trusting it as their only plan instead of a tool. Paper maps and compass skills aren't old school, they're just school.

williamhill6d ago

Stopped me cold when you said paper map and compass saved you. I've got a buddy who swears by his Garmin, but last winter up in the Whites his unit froze solid and wouldn't turn back on for two hours. We were above treeline and the wind was howling, real bad news. Makes you wonder if these gadgets are just expensive backup plans for the gear you already know works.