GPS in the Everglades

[Juan Estevez]

Greetings to all, I am planning one or two trips to the Everglades this coming season, I had read Keith site and Connie's blog trying to learn as much as possible about what to expect. I also bought Johnny Molloy book that of course I'll bring with me.

My question is regarding GPS in the backcountry as an aid for navigation, I know that everyone agree that charts and a compass are a must and it should be the primary navigational tool, but; is it is possible to get by with a GPS alone? Has anyone uses it as the primary navigation aid and charts and compass as a backup? I believe Garmin sells maps of the Glades for their GPS, has anyone tried?

Thank you,
Juan

[Keith Wellman]

I had a couple more things that did not get included in that post.

One thing that any serious user of a GPS must understand is the difference between a Route and a GO TO. A Route is a series of waypoints linked together to lay down a path to your destination. Just follow the path from one waypoint to the next to get to your destination. A GO TO is simply the straight line from where you are at the moment to your destination (i.e., some waypoint you are designating as your destination.) The GO TO line might pass through an island or a mountain--it is a simple straight line—its length and direction varies depending on your momentary position. If the wind or current pushes you away from your destination, the GO TO will still show your path as a single straight line--it gives the impression that you are on the best path to your destination--that can be very misleading if the winds or currents are strong.

I have a sailing kayak and the GO TO can be very useful, but for paddling, nothing beats a Route to get you to your destination in the shortest possible distance. A route is a series of linked straight lines. If you set the Route up at home, it will be the shortest distance for the days paddle. You can set up your Route to take you along shore if you think winds are going to be a problem. Now people like Vivian may never follow a route because she likes to explore--probably likes to look in every nook and cranny. She may use a GO TO regularly. Others like me are straight-line paddlers--just get me to the next waypoint with the fewest strokes. For me Routes are perfect.

Keith

[yakmaster]

I'm a track guy...

I try to know where I'm going, but too often I have no idea how I'm going to get there. Especially since where we hang out there aren't many straight lines...

But with track, when I get there, I know where I've been. Then I can replicate (&/or share) the adventure.

Now that we've tracked turner to seagrape, we're working on a few options from seagrape to the Barron.

More to come!

[Keith Wellman]

Tracks are great for telling you where you have been (and for maybe backtracking to get out of some mess). Now, that they can be uploaded onto Google Earth (if you own a Garmin or Magellan GPS) they are great for sharing. Being a sea kayaker, slogging through the innards of the everglades has never grabbed me. On the other hand, the Turner River is a beautiful trip in any vessel. When you get the a nice route laid out for Turner to seagrape and Barron, maybe I will give it a try (in a sea kayak!)

Keith

[vivian]

Now people like Vivian may never follow a route because she likes to explore--probably likes to look in every nook and cranny

You would be surprised Keith but I actually lay out routes for all my trips. These last few years I have only used a simple Garmin E Trex that does not have mapping capabilities. All it does is confirm that I have arrived at a waypoint. The electronic compass and speed is what I used mostly. When I go into a new area, I always had entry and exit waypoints marked before I went on a trip. I would mark these waypoints on a google map and printed and kept it in my map case. Even if these waypoints were not on the route, I could make a new route while out in the area to change a trip plan. I think with the new mapping GPS I can do that while on the trip which will be easier! With my new Garmin 60csx the routes will be seen on the map but I will mostly use the compass and speed screen. It sure was hard to enter each waypoint by hand on my ETrex! I think I will like the mapping capability because it will help me relax when I just want to fish and explore and not be so attentive in newer areas. So it will be a fun new learning experience for me.

One of the things I have noticed with mapping GPS users is that they follow a line. They just paddle and stare down at their little GPS screens all day and miss what is going on around them. What I think is worse is that they cannot bring themselves to change course even if their route puts them in danger of paddling in areas where wind and seas expose them to more work and risk. One thing I have learned from paddling in a group of die hard map/compass users and die hard GPS only users is that you have to be flexible and attentive out there. I would say that knowledge of how weather systems affect the area to plan your routes is a good skill to have along with the navigational skill component. Taking in the entire experience by looking around to place yourself into the big map picture makes one enjoy the trip more. And above all, common sense is the most important thing to bring along.

[yakmaster]

Keith

My go to boat is a Nordkapp (17' integral skeg) not exactly a creek boat & I've done Noble Hammock at night in a 20' seda glider...so you can paddle anywhere I go in a long boat!

Though I did develop my taste for mangrove branches & leaves in my 14' Bavaria boote...

You want a nice feel for your long boat... try the seagrape grass run I did, it's like 9 mile in deep water on steroids! Beautiful glide!

[Keith Wellman]

Vivian says, "...mapping GPS users...just paddle and stare down at their little GPS screen...." Whoa, my take is just the opposite. Yeah, I check my GPS track/route regularly, but it only takes a couple seconds. All the rest of the hours, I'm looking around, checking out my friends, checking what/where the fishing boats are in the distance, watching the sea life, etc. Watching my route/track can't consume more than 1% of the time I'm on the water.

I do like to switch to my trip computer page occasionally to see the stats--how far to the next waypoint, how far to the final destination (camp), how many hours have we been on the water. I may spend another 1% of my time doing that. Still the vast majority of my paddle time is daydreaming and watching what is going on. A GPS route relieves you of all the map/compass watching. Like everyone else, a long time ago, I started out with a map and a compass—as you know, you have to be very aware of your location all the time when you are in the back country. You had better be watching your map/compass very closely in those circumstances. So, I’m at a loss why your “mapping GPS friends” are spending more time looking at their GPS than your “paper map/compass” friends. Perhaps your “mapping GPS friends” are in love with their GPS. (You had better be careful, Viv, it could happen to you!)

Keith