Fog on Cedar Peak reminded me why I carry a map

I was hiking up Cedar Peak last month when fog rolled in quickly. My phone's GPS cut out, and all the trail markers disappeared from view. Luckily, I had a folded paper map and a small compass in my pack. I sat on a rock to study the map and match it to the land around me. It took about twenty minutes to get my bearings and pick a safe route down. That experience made me notice how few people I see with physical maps anymore. If I had trusted only my phone, I might have wandered off trail. Now I always toss a map in my bag, no matter how short the hike seems.

2 comments

2 Comments

patel.barbara17h ago

Seriously though, is it worth always carrying a map for such a rare event?

lily_craig17h ago

You called it a "rare event", but getting turned around happens way more than people admit. It's not about every single hike, it's about being ready for the one time you really need it. That cheap map feels a lot less silly when the weather turns.