Category Archives: hiking/backpacking/camping

Planning a walk with Nath

With the impending visit to Nath I have warned him that we will be going for a walk whilst I’m there.

I have an idea of where we will be walking after getting a 1:50k os map of the area and finding a woods not far from Nath’s.

The plan is that we’ll stop brew up, even have something to eat.

With that in mind

New gear arrivals in last six weeks or so (not everything I’m sure):

  • 32 OZ, Wide Mouth, Nalgene bottle
  • 50PCS Cold Brew Coffee Filter Bags
  • Snow Peak Folding Nylon Cooking Ladle
  • Toaks titanium 1350ml pot
  • CAMPINGMOON Compact Foldable Stove
  • Hellery Camping Coffee Percolator Pot
  • 1:50k os maps for eTrex 32x gps
  • Belgian military hooped bivy
  • DD Hammocks lightweight hammock and under quilt (not sure if mentioned before)

I’m taking the BRS 3000T stove for this trip. I’ve not used it and it needs an outing.

The Nalgene bottle is for making cold brew whilst at Nath’s and when I go away whether camping or in hotels. Hence the filter bags.

For me to turn my dried bean and veg bags into a soup or stew for me and Nath my current pots just weren’t large enough. I think the largest was 900ml. So I got the larger 1350ml Toaks pot. That should be big enough cooking for two. Hence why I got the Snow Peak ladle. The percolator is for camping trips.

I’m hoping that the woodland walk and a bit of chill time will help Nath with all life has thrown at him recently.

Obviously a lot of this stuff will be used when camping or even backpacking. But with me using a campsite for next years UKGE, getting bits in that will make that trip as “glamorous” as possible. Or my take on it using a mixture of backpacking gear and camping gear.

Knots for tarps and other bits!

I think one of the things I miss about living in Farnborough and thinking about it Crook, is being close to land you can wild camp in, practice setting up hammocks etc.

Back in Farnborough I could be walking the wolf pack, stopping for a brew in a quiet spot within 10 minutes of leaving the house. 30 minutes or more and I could be at Frensham Little Pond doing the same.

My old stove talk videos were filmed in the woods around Farnborough. And I often just chilled out in a quiet corner with the wolf pack and a brew.

In fact back in 2008 when I was told I was at risk of being made redundant, and because of this shocking bit of news given the option to take the rest of the day off. I didn’t even think twice I took them up on the “kind” offer.

Within an hour and half I had taken the train home, thrown a brew kit in the car, found a quiet spot at Fleet Pond with the wolf pack and was contemplating life, the universe, and the days events over a hot brew.

In fact apart from one other occasion during the redundancy process for signing some papers I never returned to the office. I wasn’t required to. That bit was a blessing because it was at this time Kate decided she no longer wanted to be married to me. It would have been hard to go into the office each day, concentrate on work, and pretend life was good. When it obviously wasn’t. The redundancy process spared me from all that.

But here in Wisbech I’m not so lucky on that front. I’ve yet to find those spots of refuge.

Up to an hour away is Sandringham which I think if I wild camped there might see my sleep interrupted by armed officers. My other option is around a similar traveling time, possibly a bit longer Thetford.

I do plan to explore Thetford a bit more in the future. It does seem to be a popular spot for some YouTubers to show off their bushcraft skills whilst wild camping.

There are some interesting wooded areas nearer (but still not local) that need to be investigated for suitability.

But it’s only when you no longer have it that you truly miss what you once took for granted.

In the meantime as I try and find spots that I can do a quick on the spur of the moment wild camp I’m practicing my knots.

When it comes to using a tarp and hammock I don’t like using cord with plastic (or metal) tensioning bits on them. They break, limit what the cord can be used for, etc, etc. I’m of the school that prefers to tie knots.

For me the knots I need to know when using a tarp or plan to use with my hammock are the following:

  • Bowline
  • Clove hitch
  • Prusik knot
  • Trucker’s Hitch
  • Tautline hitch

So how would I be using these knots when setting up my tarp?

The bowline I’m using to attach the paracord to a tie on point of the tarp. Or giving me a loop to use for tying one end of the paracord round a tree for creating a ridge line between two trees.

The clove hitch I use to secure the paracord to my trekking poles.

Whilst I use a truckers or tautline hitch to go round the tent peg (or tree) and tension the line.

Where does the prusik knot come in? That’s for when I’m using a ridge line I can use this knot to attach a tarp or bug netting to it. I do carry a couple of pre-made prusik loops for quick and easy use. I know these prusik loops are not intended for mountaineering and climbing ropes. So the knot I’ve used for them is the common overhand knot instead of the more appropriate double fisherman’s knot for joining two ends together.

For me those 5 knots allow me to do everything I need to do with a tarp or hammock.

I’m also in this downtime prepping meal ideas.

My current experiment/idea involves soaked, then cooked, and then dehydrated beans! Which I will added freeze dried garden peas, dried carrot, dried sweet corn, dried shiitake mushrooms, and/or sliced dried mushrooms (that I dried in the dehydrator).

The idea is that these packets can be added to vegetable stock and some herbs/seasoning to make either a bean soup or stew that requires minimal cooking.

My Take On Overnight Oats

My old camp routine when I was doing something like the TGO Challenge, out in the Lakes, or Brecon Beacons, used to see me brave the elements to answer the call of nature. Followed by breaking camp and going on my way. So I could easily be hiking by 6am or 6:30am. Rarely would I go back to sleep or have a leisurely breakfast and brew before breaking camp.

Often all I’d have as I set off would be some Jolt gum to give me a caffeine hit.

I wouldn’t stop for breakfast and brew until around maybe 8:30 or even 9am. I’d find a spot to rest, breakout the cooking kit and get a brew made. Breakfast would be maybe a cold pop tart, or muesli bar of some kind.

Back then I’d never even heard of overnight oats. It was working at Huntingdon Regional College (now no longer as it swallowed up in a merger of colleges) when I first come across overnight oats. My then line manager Venessa used to bring them in for her breakfast.

Thinking about it, with a vegan colleague/friend I got exposed to one or two new food experiences whilst there.

But it wasn’t until I left that I first made my version of over night oats.

Just after adding water but before stirring

This is what I put in my overnight oats. You will notice I don’t list quantities. Everything is based around how much oats I am using. Then I judge the rest by eye.

  • Oats
  • Raisins
  • Sultanas
  • Chai seeds
  • Dried cranberries
  • Diced Dehydrated Dried Apple Flakes
  • Dried Goji Berries
  • Dried Sweetened Blueberries
  • Sun Dried Sour Cherries
  • Sweetener of some kind, ones I’ve used in past sugar, agave nectar, and honey
  • Pinch of salt
  • Sweet cinnamon

To make this into a recipe that can be used out on the trail (that sounds so pretentious) instead of adding regular milk and letting it soak overnight in the fridge. I use powdered milk, and add water.

When making this for the next morning I usually add roughly the same amount of water/milk (maybe a little bit more) as I have dried ingredients. Give it a good stir, and put the lid on. After a couple of hours I might add a little bit more liquid or check in the morning adding more liquid to get a consistency I like.

Vacuum packed ready to go

As you can see from the list of ingredients I like my over night oats to be fruity and a mixture. I love the texture that the chai seeds add.

The container I’m using is a Vadasz garlic & dill sauerkraut container that holds 400g of said product. My overnight oat portions fill approximately half of the container.

The nice thing is about repurposing this container is I get to eat the original contents first. So well worth the nearly £4 I paid for it.

False Dawn

Well that’s the shortest return ever!

I was minutes from my destination. The phone signal had almost disappeared. So I decided to call Mum to let her know I was virtually there.

That’s when things changed.

I was going to have to turn back.

But before I did I stopped at a parking spot I had spotted on the drive in for a break and something to eat.

After having driven for so long I needed this before repeating the journey.

After a coffee, and a rehydrated 6 Bean chilli I made my way back home.

Yes I’m very disappointed that the plans did not go as intended. But as Jack Reacher says “Plans go to hell as soon as the first shot is fired.”

At least I knew that the food side was working.

Boiling water, rehydrating my home made dehydrated chilli in the Ziplock Aluminium Foil Bag, and using the pot cozy worked well. I liked using the UCO Collapsible Cup. Using my old sea to summit folding bowl to eat the chilli from. Ok I used the bowl because I had some tortillas chips, grated cheese and squeezy sour cream on top. Not easy to do if eating from the bag.

I also started the over night oats. Which by this morning were “perfect”. I might add a little bit more milk powder in future.

I had intelligence about where I had planned to leave the car. It’s a totally viable spot. It’s hard to judge the suitability of a spot when all the map shows is the letter P. So it’s good to know that this is a great spot to leave the car.

My adjusted plans for my week off will see me spend time playing with kit whilst doing this son carer thing.

Back to the hills – last minute stuff

Back in the day I had a weakness when it came to stoves. Hence the stove talk videos and ending up with over thirty stoves of one type or other.

Well whatever the exact number is it’s now increased by one.

After watching an Eric Hanson YouTube video about the Jetboil and cheaper alternatives that would meet most folks needs. I caved and bought what apparently is the darling of the lightweight backers a BRS Stove 3000T.

The BRS is a gas stove made from titanium alloy, copper, and stainless steel. It weighs in at 25g apparently. So uber light.

One thing that allows the stove to be so light say compared to the Peak Ignition is that there is no piezo ignition. So an alternate means of ignition is needed such as a lighter or matches.

The BRS comes with a small storage bag, and an o ring that I’m not sure yet if it is a spare or something I need to fit. I’m sure a quick Google will provide me with an answer.

I don’t know why but I decided to give the Peak Ignition another go to see if its piezo ignition would work. When I had used it at the Travelodge during the UKGE I found that the piezo ignition didn’t work. I had to resort to using a lighter.

But this time as I pushed the button to try and make a spark, it did indeed spark. I was more than pleasantly surprised. I pressed again a couple of more times. Creating more little blue arcs. I grabbed a gas canister. Clumsily I attached the Peak Ignition to it. Turned its regulator to hear the hiss of gas escaping. And then pressed the button on the piezo ignition. It clicked, sparked, and the stove roared into life. It’s alive!

I hadn’t decided what stove I’d take with me tomorrow. But now I’m decided I’m going with the Peak Ignition. I’ll play with the BRS on a day hike over the Summer.

I did buy a vacuum sealer and I need to get to grips with that today as I bag my overnight oats, and powdered egg.

Anyway as you read this I’m most likely on route to North Wales. I still have last minute things to do. So I better cut this short. Catch you after the return.

Back to the hills – the big destination reveal

After a lot of procrastinating I could no longer put off the decision any longer. I needed to decide where I would be going for my return to the hills.

I’m going to South Snowdonia. Narrowing it down a bit more. I’m going to be wandering around Rhinog Fawr.

I’ve never been to this bit of North Wales. Although I have done Cadair Idris with Kate, Nathan, and the wolf pack if memory doesn’t fail me.

The inspiration for this decision was this YouTube video by Claire aka Wild Beare.

This screen shot from the video shows the route that Claire took for this trip.

Wild Beare’s Route

I’m not planning to do massive mileage for this first excursion. My fitness levels aren’t what they used to be. I’ve had 14 years or so of “good living” since my last hike.

What I like about this area Claire chose is the options available to me on the day. If I’m feeling it I can take in a peak, camp near lakes, pitch up in some woods.

I’m going to be using the Snowdonia South (British Mountain Map) from the BMC. These are 1:40k scale maps that is “printed on polyethylene this map is durable, tearproof and 100% waterproof”.

I do like this map series a lot. It saves me having to carry a map case for starters. I like the scale and seems a good compromise between using a 1:25k and 1:50k map.

So there we have it destination Rhinogs.

Back to the hills – some more prep

One thing I discovered on a camping/walking trip to Snowdonia with Kate back in the day was how my body doesn’t react well to midge bites.

As Kate and I were setting up our tent, I got bitten to death by swarms of them at the campsite. Every exposed inch of flesh was bitten and covered in itchy red blobs where they had fed on me.

Sprays sold by the campsite shop to ease the itching just did not provide any relief at all. The fact I had been bitten so many times all over meant just to cover the bites I needed multiple sprays! They weren’t cheap.

We eventually cut our weekend short with a visit to a local welsh doctors surgery where I was put on a course of steroids.

So you can imagine I started putting in measures to avoid this happening again. Such as getting a headnet, or buying clothes with built in insect repellent.

Now as I get ready to return to the hills I’ve been using Lifesystems Ex4 Anti Mosquito Clothing, Footwear And Outdoor Gear Treatment Spray to treat my clothing, shemagh, polar buffs, regular buffs, groundsheet, and tarp.

This has worked for me in the past and proved effective.

Whilst on the TGOC even with a tarp I wasn’t bothered by ticks. I put that down to my clothing, groundsheet, etc being treated with a fabric friendly bug treatment. Along with the use of bug spray/wipes.

The DD Hammocks DD Superlight tarp I have comes with four pegs, and some thin guy ropes. The guy ropes are perfect for me to make some loops with. That that can on the day when needed be used to make a prusik knot.

I’ve also made some smaller bungee cord loops to use on the attachment points of the tarp. I’ll attach these when needed using a larks head knot to give me a little give and take a bit of pressure of the attachment points in high winds.

The last thing I want to be thinking off in bad weather conditions is having to create these loops first. I want to be able to grab one and use it, getting the tarp up as quick as possible.

After watching one of the yank outdoors YouTubers I ordered an UCO Collapsible Cup for Hiking. I don’t know why? I liked the look of it. It does not collapse nearly as flat as the sea to summit collapsible mug I have (and can’t find at the current time). Mainly due to the hard plastic ring which is about half the height of the mug uncollapsed. How ever it’s more sturdy which I like.

I’m starting to feel more prepared for next weeks adventure.

Back to the hills – my planned shelter

My wild camping in the past has never been with a conventional tent. I’ve used a Trailstar, a Golite Hex 3, and a tarp. I have some great memories using them. Heck the later two I used on two TGOCs.

My shelter of choice for my return sees me returning to using a tarp by using a DD Hammocks – DD SuperLight Tarp. This is a 3 metre by 2.9 metre tarp. Don’t ask me why it’s not 3 by 3 exactly. I’m sure there is a good reason for this. It’s just that I’ve not been that interested to dig into what it is.

It comes with four pegs and guy lines. But these will be taken out and replaced with 550 para cord. I’m also using 5mm bungee cord that will be added to the tarps attachment points as small loops to attach to. The thinking is this will provide a little give in strong winds and take some of the strain off the attachment points.

I have bought some generic brand tent pegs that are aluminium. But I’ll also be using my titanium ones too.

I think a combo of these should cater for most ground types. And yes you do detect a very small ultra light weight tent peg used to pull the titanium ones out of the ground. I really should attach some cord.

Obviously I’ll be using my trekking poles with the tarp.

I’ve also got a DD Hammocks – DD Magic Carpet – XL to use as a groundsheet. This is a 2.2 metre by 1.4 metre waterproof groundsheet.

In my controversial post on my proposed sleep system I mention the goretex bivy bag from the US Military Modular Sleep System (MSS) that could be used as part of it. However it should also be thought of as part of my planned shelter.

There is the obvious use of just using the bivy bag with no tarp erected. My first ever wild camp was in a borrowed bivy bag on the side of a Welsh mountain in the Brecon Beacons the night before picking Strider up.

But the main use will be with the tarp to add that extra layer of protection to the rest of the sleep system from the elements.

Using a tarp isn’t for everyone. I get it. But I love using one. I love the flexibility they give. Tarps can be erected in a multitude of ways depending on weather, location, or just how you feel.

I love how they bring you closer to nature. I certainly feel more connected when using a tarp.

I think it’s this last point especially that I want to recapture when I do my first trip that is approaching fast.

So that’s my sleep system, and shelter covered. Water next?

Back to the hills – a new sleep system for me!

This could be my most controversial blog post ever!

Before I had to stop going to the hills I had made the jump to using a quilt instead of a sleeping bag.

My quilt of choice was the Ray Jardine quilt which I used with a Sea to Summit sleeping bag liner, and a self inflating Sea to Summit sleeping mat (can’t remember which one), plus a Sea to Summit blowup pillow. I had a bivy bag too but it never got used with the quilt.

I really liked using the quilt instead of a sleeping bag. It worked for me.

Now that’s all about to change.

I’ve moved to a more “modular” system that I hope will handle a wider range of temperatures and weather conditions. And for sure it’s not lighter!

The Ray Jardine quilt is staying. And when I initially wrote the first draft of this post I meant it. I really did. But somehow a Sea to Summit Cinder Down Quilt is in my rucksack!

The Cinder is a summer quilt. But in use with the other parts of this modular system could be used in spring or autumn I think. But don’t quote me on that!

The first part of this new sleep system is the goretex bivy bag from the US Military Modular Sleep System (MSS). I did have to hunt around for this because I didn’t want the whole MSS. So hard to find some-one selling just the bivy. But eventually I managed to find one.

Why this specific bivy?

It’s a combination of things. Firstly it’s goretex and bombproof (bloody well better be considering). Secondly it has a 3/4 length side zip. A lot of the hiking specific bivy bags do not have this zip. It’s a heavier bivy than I’ve used in the past. But more rugged, more waterproof, and better as my emergency shelter if needed that way. And yes it replaces my emergency shelter.

Next is the sleeping mat. I’ve gone with the Klymit Static V2 Sleeping Pad, Ultralight. I needed a new mat, the old one got damaged beyond repair whilst in storage. So needed replacing. Its R value is 1.3 iirc so not a winter mat. I’d need one with a R value of 4 plus if I’ve understood this rating system correctly. It would be a push using it in spring and autumn too. But the use of a suitable foam mat might allow its use in those two seasons. Plus at the moment I have no plans to go winter camping.

To inflate the Klymit I’ve got a gadget that never existed on the market 14 years ago, a Flextailgear Zero Pump. This is a portable air pump for blowing up sleep pads. Back in my day (that makes me sound sooo old) we had to blow these sort of pads up with our breath. That was the attraction of the self inflating mats. A couple of puffs was all that was required. Don’t underestimate how tired you are after hiking all day and then setting up camp. The effort required to blow up a sleep pad is quite a lot. This is a godsend invention.

To give the Klymit a bit of protection I have the Light AF non-slip camping mat. This is a very thin mat that should cut down the chances of the Klymit getting damaged, and stop it sliding all over the place.

For winter/freezing conditions I will add a thicker foam sleeping mat. Which is to be decided. Less pressure on sorting this out. I have one already. I like the look of the British Army Four Seasom foam mat. Bomb proof and can be picked up for about a tenner! But my egg box one should be fine for what I want. I have got a Mountain Warehouse Trek Mat which has a reflective layer which I want to try. But I still like the look of the British Army mat.

I did previously use a silk sleeping bag liner even with a sleeping bag. Obviously it gives another layer and a bit more warmth. Plus keeps your bag cleaner, so it needs less cleaning inside.

The sleeping bag liner I’m now using is a Carinthia Grizzly Sleeping Bag Liner. I’ve had to settle with a left sided zip. Ideally wanted a right sided one but wasn’t able to find one. Not even sure they do a right sided version.

I’m then adding another bit of US military kit the woobie or poncho liner as it is also known. This adds another layer to the sleep system as needed.

The final layer if needed will be a wool blanket! Just like the foam sleeping mat this will remain at home/in the car unless I’m expecting temperatures to drop. I have an “Original German Army Surplus Wool Blanket” it wasn’t expensive. The plan is to see how I get on with this, and if it works out invest in an expensive merino wool one at some point. That will be lighter and warmer.

Not a layer in the sleep system, however just as vital as the rest is the addition of the Klymit Unisex’s Drift Camping Pillow. I need a good pillow. We’ll see how this works out.

Obviously as I write this I’ve not tested this system in anger. Nor even have a clue what temperature range this system can potentially handle. Yes it is considerably heavier too. But I think its flexibility counters that.

When you think the base combination will be the following:

  • Light AF non-slip camping mat + Klymit Static V2 Sleeping Pad + Carinthia Grizzly Sleeping Bag Liner + Klymit Unisex’s Drift Camping Pillow

Then depending on conditions/expected weather could be any of the following combinations for example:

  • Base + poncho liner
  • Base + quilt
  • Base + quilt + poncho liner
  • Base + quilt + poncho liner + wool blanket
  • Base + quilt + poncho liner + wool blanket + thicker foam mat

To any of these the bivy can be used giving an extra layer, protection from the elements, etc.

I know I’ve not listed the base + wool blanket as an option or base + wool blanket + poncho liner as one either. And they are options I could use. I’m just not sure I would. Although I might at some point for scientific reasons.

Another thing I like about this system is that it can be used like its inspiration of the cowboy bedroll! So I could if I’m expecting shit weather have the sleeping mat, sleeping bag liner, quilt/poncho liner inside the bivy bag for protection and just unroll it when needed at night in camp. How practical that is I don’t know. But it’s an option.

Have you tried a similar sleep system? Or do you think I’m barking mad?

Back to the hills – planning and navigating

An important and fun part of any trip out into the hills or any walk is the planning. Unless you are using a published walk by someone else whether it’s from a book, magazine, website, or app. Then following on from the planning when you are actually out on the route you have the fun activity of navigating the route.

This post is all about the tools I use for both planning my routes and whilst out on the hill.

Not all who wander are lost”, J. R. R. Tolkien, “The Riddle of Strider”, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

And yes I’m taking an often used select quote from LoTR. Why wouldn’t I being a massive Tolkien fan. The big surprise is that it’s not in the posts title. But I think that’d be stepping over some imaginary line and too tacky and predictable.

The most obvious place to start is with a map. I’m refreshing my maps (not all of them at once obviously, just the ones in areas I will be walking in initially) with new OS Maps. These now come with digital download codes! So going to the OS website you can redeem the code to get the map as a download in the official OS app. I love this. I don’t have to subscribe to their service, and I can browse the map on my iOS devices at work or home. So at the moment I’ve not used the OS app in anger to plan a route. I’ve also not looked at alternatives (which I assume will cost money as well). Thoughts on the OS app will be the subject of a future post I’m sure. In the meantime this is a great little bonus to buying the map. My preference is the 1:50k Landranger but I also get the 1:25k Explorer as and when I think it’s more appropriate. Although I do like the Harvey water resistant hiker maps at 1:40k for areas like the Lakes or Brecon Beacons.

I actually splashed out on a new compass, and got the Silva Compass 5. This is a feature rich compass. It has the all the standard stuff you expect on a compass such as romas, rulers, magnifying lens, etc. However it also has luminous markings, a detachable distance lanyard with scales to measure longer distances, and a built in permanent adjuster for magnetic declination. It comes with a Slope card that helps assess avalanche risk, slopes and extra distance.

Being able to navigate especially in poor weather conditions is an important skill to have. One of those skills to aid this is pacing. To aid in keeping an accurate count of my paces taken I got some Coopers Bay Pace Count Beads.

Both the compass and pace count beads will be kept on the belt in an old Satmap gps case I have for easy access and safe keeping.

My routes and notes will be written in a Rite in the Rain Waterproof Paper Universal Pocket Top Wire Bound Spiral Notebook. Obviously the size and being waterproof is a big factor in getting this particular notebook. Having rulers and measurement conversion tables on the inside back cover is a handy addition.

I will be keeping the notepad in a Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Cordura Fabric Notebook Cover (I have a spare one of these if anyone wants one, first person to comment/contact me gets it). This will also have pens, pencils, the Silva slope card, timing card, and protractor in.

The Clear Half Round Shape Plastic 0-360 Degrees Protractor Map Reading Measuring Tool is the degree version of the mills one I have. Mainly used in planning and saving me have to convert between mills and degrees for bearings.

The map needs protecting from the elements and to do this I have an Aquapac Small Waterproof Map Case.

Being lazy and not wanting to do any maths I got a Navigators Timing Card from ShavenRaspberry.com. Handy when planning to get a rough idea of how long the route might take. But even handier on the trail when needing to work out timings for a leg of the route or even a route adjustment quickly.

Garmin eTrex 32x gps. I needed a new gps. I’ve not been able to locate my old Satmap gps. Now even though I have this its main use will be to give me a precise location to confirm on my map that I am where I think I am. And possibly have a digital copy of the route on it. But to do that will need me to use mapping software of some kind. And I’ve not spent any time investigating current options, especially for the iPad.

My iPhone! If I’m using this for navigation then things have gone pretty pear shaped. Somehow I’ve lost all of the above.

A rant!

But these two gadgets bring me onto a rant about outdoors YouTubers. Maybe I’m watching the wrong ones. But you very rarely see them use a map and compass. Instead you do see them use their mobile device with some sort of navigation/map app. Giving the impression that’s all you need, and that’s all they are using.

Since the appearance of affordable (subjective I know) gps technology for the public the critism has always been that technology fails. So you don’t rely on it solely. You need a map and compass. And just importantly know how to use them.

It’s a valid point.

Yes technology improves. Battery life increases, etc.

However if something happens to the phone/gps, gets dropped, wet, battery dies, or some other unfortunate event. You are stuffed. Depending when this happens it could be dangerously so.

Yes maps and compasses also have weaknesses.

I’m a fan of a belt and braces approach. Use the map and compass as your main navigation tool, and have the gps/phone as your backup. Use them as a tool alongside the map. Just don’t rely on them being your main or sole navigation tool.

But this isn’t what these YouTubers show. You see no map. No compass. You see them using just their phone. So not even a dedicated gps. You don’t even see any disclaimer telling people not to use just a phone etc. Which I think is shocking.

What do you think of my navigation toolkit or my rant? Let me know in the comments below.