Whiteout advice?

[GreatDivide14]

Landed a job at Mount Rainier, where nasty weather has a way of rolling in really, really fast. I recently augmented my usually adequate watchband compass with a baseplate model I can take bearings on. I know how to follow a bearing, adjust for declination, etc. So, I can handle dead reckoning. I also have a loaner GPS; how well do they hold a signal in bad weather? Any other tips? Thanks.

[djmutiny]

The signal shouldnt suffer at all in bad weather ... just tree cover.

[wayne-o]

that gps would be your best friend up high in a white out, just make sure you understand the reverse track feature and that ought to keep you out of trouble

wayne


Landed a job at Mount Rainier, where nasty weather has a way of rolling in really, really fast. I recently augmented my usually adequate watchband compass with a baseplate model I can take bearings on. I know how to follow a bearing, adjust for declination, etc. So, I can handle dead reckoning. I also have a loaner GPS; how well do they hold a signal in bad weather? Any other tips? Thanks.

[JohnK]

jealous - Mt. Rainier is a great mountain - what will you be doing there?

Rgarding GPS, it will work in any weather - the important thing to remember is that you need a sufficient number of satellites (I beleive it is 3 or 4) with a sufficient spread across the sky to get an accurate fix. GPS should work well for you considering many of the snow-wands up there are old and can lead you astray.

> John

Landed a job at Mount Rainier, where nasty weather has a way of rolling in really, really fast. I recently augmented my usually adequate watchband compass with a baseplate model I can take bearings on. I know how to follow a bearing, adjust for declination, etc. So, I can handle dead reckoning. I also have a loaner GPS; how well do they hold a signal in bad weather? Any other tips? Thanks.

[GreatDivide14]

jealous - Mt. Rainier is a great mountain - what will you be doing there?

Nothing too exciting, mostly installing interpretive displays at trailheads and overlooks. Occasionally, that's broken up with some trail work, which is naturally more fun. Still, even at its worst, it's better than paperwork. Aside from the mosh pit at the summit, I agree-- it is a great mountain. Since the professional guides are booked for the rest of my weekends, I need to find a patient coworker who's willing to babysit a rookie on a climb. Even if I don't, it looks good enough from down here.

Sounds like I need to figure out how to work the GPS. Given how quickly my satellite TV signal craps out in a storm, I'm surprised the GPS does better. Not complaining, though.