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That hiker who said 'real backpackers skip the map' almost got us lost near Desolation
I was at the trailhead outside South Lake Tahoe last Saturday and overheard this guy telling his buddy that GPS apps are for tourists and that using a paper map means you're doing it wrong. He then proceeded to lead his group up a closed spur trail that dead ends after 2 miles of bushwhacking. I get that people want to feel rugged, but I've done the Tahoe Rim Trail three times and I still double check my route at every junction. Has anyone else run into these map-deniers and how do you politely warn new hikers without starting a fight?
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alice80826d ago
Wait, he led them up a closed spur trail? Like the sign said closed and he just went anyway? That part is wild to me. I have done the TRT a few times too and the junctions out there do not mess around, one wrong turn and you are adding miles you did not plan for. Honestly the map deniers usually weed themselves out pretty fast, but if you want to warn new folks without a fight you can just say something like "hey I have that same app, want me to show you where we are" and let them figure it out. People listen way more when they feel like they found the answer themselves. Glad your group made it back okay.
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