Navigation with Distance, Time, and Pace (XI)
By Robert Finlay of KayakLakeMead.com
Edited by Federico Ferrero
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|2. Hiking Down a Canyon:
You are descending down Long Valley from WP 3 to WP 6 (just forget about WP's 4 & 5 OK). Your altimeter is at home. If your plan is to exit Long Valley at the red arrow; you need to know where to do that.
Distance: You measure that to be 2.1 km away.
Pace: You've been moving at about 11 min per km.
Time: You should be there in 23 to 25 min.
Additional Clue: Notice also that as you descend Long Valley; twice you will be moving west and curving around to the south. In both cases there will be an intersecting gully from the northwest. See the violet arrows. At about 250 m past the second curve will be your exit, a gully ascending due east.
Ref. map B6, Long Valley
Notes: When you are planning to travel in the bottom of a canyon; anticipate being able to see few if any landmarks for navigational purposes. In a canyon like the one above your ability to see landmarks is greatly reduced. In a steep walled canyon it is zero.
Distance, Time, and Pace: These are your primary tools in knowing your positioning a canyon.
Altimeter: This is probably your next best tool since canyons constantly change elevation.
Compass: This is the least valuable tool in a canyon. But if used right it can give some good clues. (see Compass Use in Canyons)
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