Rocky Mountain Tracking » Camping

A Camping Story: The Tale of One Trip Gone Almost Wrong

Admin — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 12:49:23 +0000

The summer is typically one of the most enjoyable times of the year. With the kids home from school and a generally more relaxed schedule, it’s the perfect season to enjoy the outdoors and go camping. And while camping is certainly a family-friendly activity, safety is an important aspect of any enjoyable vacation. Whether you choose to camp locally or take a lengthy trip into the mountains, your family can benefit from the peace of mind provided by GPS tracking.

From hiking on rocky mountain trails to cooking over an open fire, spending time in the outdoors presents a variety of challenges. Even the most environmentally-savvy individuals always travel prepared. Before heading out they take care to pack all of the needed gear. They bring their all-weather boots, their waterproof tent, and their trusty backpack. However, no matter how prepared you are, there are always situations which can catch you off guard when you expose yourself to the wild.

Several years ago my husband and I honeymooned in the Colorado Rockies. We stayed in a rustic cabin, which was actually quite romantic. However, a close encounter with a bear who wanted our breakfast significantly cooled the atmosphere. We were totally unprepared, and if the bear hadn’t been startled by my screaming, I may have ended up being his breakfast.

In situations where you are caught off guard in the wild, a GPS tracking device can literally mean the difference between life and death. Let’s say that you decided to take a solo hike to enjoy the morning sunshine, slipped, and broke a leg in the middle of nowhere. If you were carrying a tracking system on your person, it would only be a matter of time before you were found. Additionally, these days, many GPS units have emergency call buttons, which allow you to send out a distress signal in an emergency.

No one likes to think about the dangers of a family vacation. However, careful planning can allow you to rest easy as you venture out into unknown territory. Are you ready to enjoy a relaxing summer filled with action and adventure? A GPS tracking device can keep you safe while you experience the great outdoors. So pack your bags, and hit the trails for an exhilarating camping experience that will leave you both healthy and whole.

GPS Is a Great Hiking and Camping Partner

Admin — Wed, 04 May 2011 15:00:42 +0000

Spring is in the air, which means many people are taking their camping gear out of storage. One of the top reasons to go camping is the isolation. Taking a break from city life and everyday routines can recharge a person’s mental, spiritual, and physical batteries like almost nothing else can. Another appeal of camping is the adventure and thrill of discovering new places.

Although it’s not necessary for a fun camping trip, hiking and exploring is a staple camping activity. As refreshing and fun as camping can be, the combination of isolation and adventure along with the unpredictable nature of wilderness, does come with risk. Bringing along a GPS-equipped device is the best way to reduce risk without sacrificing isolation or adventure.

GPS Is A Great Hiking Buddy

One great way to use GPS tracking while camping is to help find interesting trails to explore. This function is available on most smart phones equipped with GPS. There are dozens of free, user-reviewed applications available to download that were designed specifically for adventurous hikers. These applications can automatically search for established hiking trails in your immediate surroundings, as long as there is satellite signal available.

If planning out your hikes and reading reviews is not your idea of outdoor adventure, GPS tracking should still be a key part of your safety precautions. At the very minimum, before heading out on a hike, tag your campsite with a waypoint. Your device will store the exact longitude and latitude information of the campsite, so if you’re out on a hike and lose direction for any reason, the GPS will serve as a compass. Instead of pointing you north, the device can tell you exactly which direction you need to go to get back to the safety of your tent.

Another great idea is to add the trailhead as a waypoint before heading out. You can tell your GPS tracking device to leave a breadcrumb trail on the map to track exactly how far you’ve hiked. This is a very effective way to prevent taking hikes that are too long, which can increase the chances of getting lost. Night hiking can be fun and rewarding, but only when you’re prepared with lights and warm clothing. Tracking your hike with GPS can help better plan when it’s time to turn back on a hike and get back to camp before nightfall.

Do you have any ideas or stories on how GPS can help you stay safe this camping season? Let us know in the comments below!

Article Written by Marisa O’Connor

Idaho Boys Scouts Rescued Thanks to GPS

Admin — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 16:00:22 +0000

Winter weather can be treacherous. At the blink of an eye, a small snowstorm can quickly turn into a blizzard. This is a lesson that the Power Country, Idaho, Pocatello Boy Scout troop isn’t soon to forget. The troop set out on a camping trip on Tuesday, December 28. When night fell, the boy scouts took cover inside of a cave. When the scouts awoke Wednesday morning, the cave (and all other surroundings) was covered in many feet of snow.

Scout troop leaders used cell phones to call local authorities. While authorities could track the troop using GPS tracking systems, it was nearly impossible for plows and graders to break through the newly fallen snow. After many hours, the troop was finally rescued by local authorities. Thankfully, every member of the Boy Scout troop is safe and unharmed, though this might not have been the case if GPS trackers were not a part of this equation.

Even a group as prepared for severe weather situations as the Boy Scouts are should not wander into the woods during the winter months. Winter camping is a sport that many people partake in, though many wind up lost and alone amidst harsh winter winds. If you happen to be the adventurous type (or, if you happen to be responsible for a group of children), it is a wise idea to carry a GPS tracking device with you at all times.

Weather is unpredictable. While winter weather forecasts may not predict any snow, freezing rain, or other precipitation, a change in the weather can happen at any time. Be prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws at you by bringing a GPS tracker along on all your winter hikes and camping trips.

Article Written by Harriette Halepis

When Camping, Pinpoint Your Location

RMT GPS News — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 01:54:12 +0000

By Greg Bartlett

My family has been camping in many different venues. We’ve been camping in the desert, in the mountains, and in the foothills. We’ve gone backpacking, we’ve camped in tents, and we’ve used a motorhome.

One of the important things we learned early in our camping careers was to be careful to know where we were.

It didn’t help much if we got lost from our campsite, trail, or vehicle – whether our whole family did, or whether just one or two of us did while taking a day hike into the woods.

Among the equipment you take camping or hiking, including a GPS tracking system will help ensure that you don’t get lost. Especially for those who are hiking alone in the woods, or even with a friend or a dog, having a way for people to find you is not just a way to provide you and your family with peace of mind.

Sometimes a GPS tracking system can save your life.

One hiker in Canada who got lost sent out an emergency signal from his GPS device, an option many GPS tracking devices offer. Rescuers were able to find the man based on the information sent to them through the GPS tracking system. Another hiker who fell on a mountain was able to get aid quickly because of the accurate information that his GPS system gave.

If he had depended on a phone call instead of GPS, the rescuers would have not been able to reach him as quickly, since neither he nor they would know precisely where he was, unlike the GPS.

Many hiking areas recommend that campers and hikers carry GPS devices with them. For instance, one professional recommends that a camper or hiker in the Grand Canyon include a GPS tracking device while on a hike. Hikes in the Grand Canyon area can be long and, if you didn’t carry enough water or if you get lost or injured, treacherous. Being able to pinpoint your location for rescue teams will help ensure your safety.

Camping and hiking aren’t much fun if you’re in danger of getting lost. Take the necessary precautions and include a GPS device while you’re out hiking or camping. Not only can you and your family members have peace of mind, but if you get lost or injured and need assistance, you can be assured that your GPS tracking system will guide rescuers right to your location.