Warning: I used to trust my phone's GPS for hiking trails until last Sunday on Mount Tam

I was out on the Matt Davis trail, a route I've done maybe 20 times. My phone showed a shortcut that looked legit on the map, so I took it. 45 minutes later I was stuck on a ledge with no signal, sweating through my shirt. I had to backtrack and lost 2 hours. Now I carry a paper map from the ranger station and a cheap compass. That GPS nearly got me airlifted out. Anyone else ditched their phone for paper maps on real trails?

4 comments

4 Comments

nancy5242mo ago

Oh man, I gotta push back on this a little. Paper maps are great for backup but I've had way more close calls trying to read a soggy map in the rain than I've had with GPS. Lost more time fumbling with a compass than I ever did following a bad shortcut.

price.tara2mo agoTop Commenter

Lol fair point about soggy maps @nancy524, but I gotta correct the compass thing a bit. Compass navigation is actually way faster once you get the hang of it, you just have to practice a little. I've saved tons of time not having to stop and pull out a phone or wait for a signal, especially in areas with spotty coverage. Maybe give it another shot on a dry day and see if it clicks.

abby_black16d ago

I read an article from Backpacker magazine that tested GPS versus map navigation in bad weather, and GPS was 40% faster in rain and snow. People forget that paper maps are just as vulnerable to water damage as phones. You can get a waterproof case for your phone, but try keeping a paper map dry in a downpour without a pricey map case that adds weight. And on the compass thing, I've had the same experience. Takes me way longer to sight a bearing and pace count than to just glance at my phone. For day hikes especially, GPS makes more sense. Maps are nice for planning but not for active navigation in wet conditions.

danielhenderson16d ago

A buddy of mine insisted on using a paper map on a backpacking trip last summer. We ended up off trail for two hours because the map got soaked and tore right where we needed to see the turnoff. He finally pulled out his phone and had us back on track in five minutes.