1

Make sure that you try out a sample GPS before you purchase it. My own Garmin does not accept all of the new maps. Garmin does accept some Alaska maps and Magellan GPS does not.

2

I haven't done to particular one but are you certain you need a gps for this? If you read the notations below the map there is a unmaintained TRAIL for this route. While it's true that much of Denali is trailess, this is an exception. Here is a link to the park webpage about this day hike: http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/savage-river-area.htm

If you can read and understand a regular paper USGS quadrangle map and know how to use a compass with such a small area you would likely need to purchase only one map - for about 8 dollars (for Alaska the greatest detail available for most areas is the 1:63 360 scale - inch to the mile).

Edited by: alapah

3

trekker502/alapah, Thank you for your feedback!

I find a travel companion who might join me in Denali trip, so I am going to see which unit is available when we arrive, then purchase the map. I'd like to take this opportunity to train myself on the orientation, learn how to use a gps unit, and use the paper map as backup plan just in case.

once again, many thanks!
Hiac

4

Ah, ok as a training effort it makes a bit more sense. When you say you will wait to see which unit is available, do you mean backcountry unit? Many parks do not have a full range of maps for sale at the visitor center, some have none for sale. Denali is one of only a few Alaskan parks with a Trails Illustrated map and that may be for sale at the park. You could probably also get one at REI or the Alaska Public Lands Center in Anchorage. http://www.natgeomaps.com/ti_222.html. (the Trails Illustrated maps usually have some good info and safety tips in the reverse - because the park is so large, some if it will be 1:225 000 and some areas may be available in 1:42 240. I would bet that scale is for popular areas, perhaps those closer to the road.

Hope you have a great trip!

Edited by: alapah

5

alapah, many thanks!

I learn orientation when in college, during first year it's mandatory to have some military training. But I have to admit that's long time ago, and since then I always hike on trail and always amazed by the trail system of the States.

I do want to pick it up. A quick search I found this article, which is a good warm-up material for me: http://www.nwcg.gov/pms/pubs/475/PMS475_chap2a.pdf

I am guessing I am going to keep consulting the map to avoid bushwhacking ankle deep in boggy marshes

6

This site has some really good sections describing how to read maps and use a map and compass - http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/manual/mapcompass.shtml#Maps. I understand what you are saying a about forgetting as i also used to have to relearn aspects of orienteering every season in the early years.

I do know how to use a GPS but i actually prefer to read maps for most of my fieldwork. Some people find map and compass (orienteering) to be difficult at first. One really nice thing about maps versus gps is that you get to see a much bigger area of your surroundings on a paper map as opposed to a gps screen.

Not sure i would want to venture into Denali wilderness without first understanding how to use maps, compass and/or a gps. The biggest mistake people seem to make with gps is that they do not learn how to use it to navigate back to the point they started from/place they hope to end. It is easy to create a pattern of waypoints as you go but a bit more to actually navigate using one. The REI store in Anchorage offers both gps and orienteering classes about once a month i think.

7

There is a CD instruction for Garmin GPS that I purchased at a Cabela's sporting goods store. I also took the GPS orienteering class at REI and learned that my Garmin is too basic to download new maps off of the computer. Wal-Mart also sells Garmins, but make sure that you know which model is best for you before purchasing at the discount price because the sales clerk at Wal-Mart does not know how to instruct you in its use -- usually.

8

alapah, you are right on "do not learn how to use it to navigate back to the point they started from/place they hope to end". I read this article year ago, and appreciate that guy's lesson and learn:
http://www.whitneyzone.com/wz/ubbthreads.php/topics/1425/#Post1425

trekker502, I am heading to REI to try it out. too many model to choose from.

Thank you folks!
Hiac

9

Wow, that is some story! Keep in mind too that a Gps will provide a straightline route but the user has to consider land forms and obstacles and deviate as necessary.

10

alapah, I sure will try to keep that in mind if mosquito and icy cold water doesn't distract me too much :)