Experts share tips to use your phone or GPS to navigate safely in the mountains
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Hill walkers who use GPS or mobile phones for navigation in the mountains are being given some expert advice to help keep them safe.
It follows a survey carried out by Mountaineering Scotland last year which showed that 87 per cent of people said they used an electronic device for navigating at some point on their walk.
A total of 4000 hill goers were asked for the experiences, and 40 per cent of those who used an electronic device said they had experienced a situation where it had stopped working in some way.
Now the country’s top mountain safety experts have launched new guidance for those who use their mobile phones or GPS devices for navigating in the hills at any time of year.
Mountaineering Scotland’s mountain safety advisor team – backed by the wider Mountain Safety Group which includes Scottish Mountain Rescue, Police Scotland, Mountain Training Scotland, Glenmore Lodge, Developing Mountain Biking Scotland and Snowsport Scotland – have put together new guidance with five simple steps to help keep your mobile phone and GPS working in the hills.
The tips are:
Charge – start with 100 per cent battery charge and charge your device while you travel if you’re using it for music or road navigation.
Protect – protect your phone from the elements and keep it close to your body when not in use to help it stay warm and dry and save battery life.
Download – download all the maps you might need so you don’t need to rely on mobile data to be able to access maps on your walk.
Extend – switching your phone to ‘Flight Mode’ makes your battery last a lot longer and take a fully charged power bank to re-charge on the go if needed.
Take a back-up – if your phone or GPS fails, you’ll need another way to navigate, for example a map and compass, and the ability to use them effectively. Consider also carrying a simple back-up phone for emergencies.
Mountaineering Scotland safety advisor Ben Gibson said: “When going out into the hills this winter or at any other time of the year, it is important to look after your phone as it not only gives you additional information to help with your hill and mountain navigation, but is also your lifeline to contacting the emergency services in the event you or a group member finds yourself in a serious situation.
“Remember, if you’re downloading your route from an app, it’s always worth checking it against other reliable sources to make sure it’s safe and suitable for your level of experience and ability.”
