Many years ago, before GPS, I was the State Emergency Services controller
for the Shire of Perry, west of Bundaberg, in Queensland.
I often used the excuse of "getting to know the country" to go birding.
North of the town of Mount Perry was some very rugged country. I always
carried maps and a compass but soon decided that the country to the north
was not for me.
All the ridges were of exactly the same height - all the trees were of a
similar height and girth and the vegetation was THICK.
One day I left the road and proceeded through the bush down the side of the
hill. I had only gone a few hundred metres when I realised that the sun was
not visible, I had nothing to take sighting on and if I wasn't careful I
would soon be helplessly lost. Having taken a rough bearing (as per Frank's
suggestion) I found my way back before long and decided that I would not go
into the area alone without markers to place on trees.
Now I use a GPS as well but wonder how effective it would be in the heavily
vegetated valleys.
All this does is to reinforce the advice given previously - use all aids
including compass, maps and GPS. Make sure you can use them all.
Terry Pacey
27°57'02"S 153°24'12"E
Gold Coast
SE Qld
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