Map, compass skills important in outdoors
Brian Baxter | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 years, 7 months AGO
“The Sun Shines on a Different Dog’s Butt Everyday.” So far this spring has been lacking in appearances by the yellow orb, but it’s coming. Despite this weather so far, on a rain and snow mixed Saturday 25 mountaineers gathered together. The Glacier Mountaineers sponsored a program entitled “Improving Your Skills with Map and Compass.” The classroom session covered most every aspect of planning a safe hiking route, navigating utilizing a topographical map and compass, and calculating distances and direction. A field exercise followed to practice using a compass. It was a great day and all learned quite a bit while having some fun too!
Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are a great tool, but they need a power source, get lost easily, and do not always function accurately depending on several factors. The traditional skills of map and compass are a more self-reliant set of skills and can keep you safe, and bring you home in one piece.
If you would like to acquire or improve these skills, a similar program called “Reading Maps, Compass, Tracks and Sign” will be offered free of charge on June 28 in Libby. This program will be based on using the professional’s choice, the Silva Ranger Compass, and the sponsor, MWA recommends students come prepared with this compass, a calculator, pencils, field clothing, hiking boots, lunch and water. A few Silva Ranger’s will be available for use. Space is limited, so please preregister at: www.wildmontana.org or email [email protected]
Memorial Day in late May is the unofficial beginning of summer, and the time when folks plan hiking trips into the wilderness over beer and barbecues. The official Memorial Day has a more serious and deeper meaning.
If you are old enough to read and understand this column, you probably have lost someone dear to you. Death is probably the saddest fact of life, and everyone deals with it differently, in a personal way.
Some of us, like children loosing hold of a helium balloon, want to jump up or climb a tree to grasp and hold on. We watch helplessly as the recipient of our affection vaults towards the heavens and disappears. Reluctantly, we must accept that maybe, just maybe God has other plans. When a loved one is injured in any way, we advocate for them with fearless tenacity. Despite the many dedicated angels in the health care profession, oftentimes the system is set up with more emphasis on the “almighty dollar” than on the patients well being.
This Memorial Day, let’s take some time to remember those who have died for our freedom. Maybe we can keep some good thoughts going for those who have been wounded or disabled also.
We must take care of these people, and to do otherwise is unacceptable. As a kind and generous community, perhaps we can figure out how to help Micah Clark and Camp Patriot find a ranch to help wounded vets experience the healing power of nature through outdoor educational programs.
Then we’ll go and have a beer and a burger.
ARTICLES BY BRIAN BAXTER
Voices in the Wilderness: Forest Choir
After the snowfall, Old Man Winter rests. He is warm now, with his long white hair flowing down his shoulders. After conjuring up infinite patterns of snow flakes, each one unique, and gently laying down the soft blanket of albescence, he tucks his chin into his full beard and begins to dream. In the mountains, the creatures of the earth begin to stir after the quietness of the last flake falling has been fully appreciated.
The Camaraderie of Hunters
Although the rather unexpected warmer temperatures and lack of snow at low- to mid-elevations during most of our recent hunting season did not help much, many hunters had a great season. And seasons are measured in a variety of ways, depending on each individual hunter.
Please thank our tireless firefighters
In the pitch dark, with layers of smoke blocking out the moon and stars, a lone driver takes off on a mission. He meanders his pickup through a maze of old logging roads that would trap a man easily. He feels a slight adrenaline rush of the fight or flight syndrome as he encounters ridiculously steep drop offs at every switchback. It’s a long, treacherous drive, and as he approaches an alder tunnel he fears he has missed his drop point. There are no turnouts on the hill where the Bay Horse fire is active. The old road warrior continues through the brushed in access road in hopes of finding the initial attack team that is spike camped out for the night. Busting through the one last bottleneck of vegetation, the wheel man arrives at the bivouacked squad’s location. Justin Figgins’s exhausted, black-faced crew are glad to see the driver, who has hot meals, Gatorade and other goodies, as well as humorous comments for the men and women of this squad.