How to navigate without maps?
Tomorrow we´ll be entering the most remote section of rainforest we´ll be passing through during the adventure. We´ll be traveling on the Parana Caru River, which is a smaller tributary of the Amazon River. We are really looking forward to this section, because we think we´ll see much more wildlife than we normally on the main river channel.
The only problem is that we don´t have conventional paper maps for the Parana Caru River. Our computers are loaded with Google Earth that have detailed satellite images of the river. However, we can´t travel with our computers out of their protective cases during the day while we´re in the canoes. We have a compass and a GPS unit with us.
So, the question is how do we navigate the Parana Caru River without maps? What would you do if you were in our position?
We´d also like to thank you for all of your responses about what your doing to reduce the garbage you make. There were many great comments from all of you. We particularly like the idea of having garbage-free lunches. And congratulations to those of you who re-use plastic lunch containers instead of using disposable plastic bags. Great work! We also like that you´re trying to buy products that don´t have much extra packaging or can be re-used. It sounds like most of you are applying the 3 Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle) to your daily lives. Keep up the good work, and remember to use only what you need, and don´t throw away what you can use tomorrow.
The only problem is that we don´t have conventional paper maps for the Parana Caru River. Our computers are loaded with Google Earth that have detailed satellite images of the river. However, we can´t travel with our computers out of their protective cases during the day while we´re in the canoes. We have a compass and a GPS unit with us.
So, the question is how do we navigate the Parana Caru River without maps? What would you do if you were in our position?
We´d also like to thank you for all of your responses about what your doing to reduce the garbage you make. There were many great comments from all of you. We particularly like the idea of having garbage-free lunches. And congratulations to those of you who re-use plastic lunch containers instead of using disposable plastic bags. Great work! We also like that you´re trying to buy products that don´t have much extra packaging or can be re-used. It sounds like most of you are applying the 3 Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle) to your daily lives. Keep up the good work, and remember to use only what you need, and don´t throw away what you can use tomorrow.
Comments
i would buy a map before you get into the forest
Posted by: mckennna | April 22, 2008 10:28 PM
maybe you should consult directions with people you see if you dont know the way
Posted by: joe | April 23, 2008 8:25 AM
aybe go to a village and get a map. Or, you can follow the river and hope for the best.
Posted by: Declan | April 23, 2008 8:26 AM
go where the river takes you
Posted by: nicky | April 23, 2008 8:27 AM
Gps
Posted by: Elizabeth | April 23, 2008 8:36 AM
Utilize your GPS. Try following the path of the river, this is a toughie. We are trying to think of some answers for you. If you hit dry land, could you possibly then take out your computer and Google Earth and then print out map instructions.
Hope this helps.
1st Period
SHJH
Posted by: shartley | April 23, 2008 8:41 AM
We think you should use your GPS system ,your compass, and the position of the sun in the sky to navigate. You could sketch a map the night before off of your computer and track your progress during the day.
Posted by: Mike Swindlehurst | April 23, 2008 8:43 AM
First check the compuss and the GPS, then have a couple of your team members travel a kilometer ahead and come back to give the rest of the team instructions and keep on doing that.
Posted by: Christopher | April 23, 2008 8:49 AM
I wold us the saying Never Eat Saggy Waffles that means north,east,south,weast.you can here the anmals and you memder the sonds and get back to the place you want to go.
Posted by: jazmine | April 23, 2008 9:05 AM
we will use never eat soggy waffles. It means north, east, south, west. Ask people for ways you have to go if there are people there to ask.
Posted by: Jose | April 23, 2008 9:06 AM
you can use every parson to go to different places.
Posted by: Diana | April 23, 2008 9:15 AM
i think before you travel you should take a copy of the map
Posted by: idalys henandez | April 23, 2008 9:23 AM
i would buy a map before going in the rainforest
Posted by: jonathan | April 23, 2008 9:24 AM
i think u should some people how to get t the river and if they can make a map for u or show u were is at or have some people go along with u and then [but u have to have some people that know were the river is at] they should tell u if ur at the wrong place or getting closer but if ur nerovs like getting lost then take them i was just saying if ur not so sure
Posted by: Abigail | April 23, 2008 9:24 AM
Ask some local peole to help guide you through the river. Use your compass so you know what direction you're going.
Posted by: Mrs. Bickel's Class | April 23, 2008 9:46 AM
You should make some more friends with the people and translate with them the directions.
Posted by: Mariah D | April 23, 2008 9:53 AM
I think you should follow the river.
Posted by: Andrew G | April 23, 2008 9:56 AM
I would buy a map before you go to travel!!!!
Posted by: Hannah M. | April 23, 2008 9:56 AM
I think you could buy a map or print out the website you were looking at before.
Posted by: Jdog IL | April 23, 2008 9:56 AM
I would buy a map before you go to travel!!!!
Posted by: Hannah M. | April 23, 2008 9:56 AM
You should buy a map so you don't get lost or can't finish the trip because you don't know where you are going.
Posted by: Cody N | April 23, 2008 9:56 AM
Use the GPS by finding a way to cover it while you are in the canoe. Use a compass. Use the GPS while you are on land, then generate your own hand made map and use that during your travels.
Happy Paddles!
3rd Period - SHJH
Posted by: Mrs. Hartley | April 23, 2008 10:12 AM
Do you have a piece of paper? If so,look at the Google Earth map an draw the forest on the piece of paper and use the GPS if you get lost.
Posted by: Michael | April 23, 2008 10:23 AM
So, maybe when you are resting away from water, you can Google Earth and then write the directions on a piece of paper for navigation purposes.
Send the directions from your Google Earth to your cell phones. Is that possible?
5th Period
SHJH
Posted by: Mrs. Hartley | April 23, 2008 11:40 AM
You could use a compass along with the sun as your guide. Google Earth during your off time and then write a map for yourselves by hand. Can you also Google Earth it to your cell phones?
Good Luck!
7th Period - SHJH
Posted by: Mrs. Hartley | April 23, 2008 12:48 PM
We think you should follow the river and go by your instincts!!
Posted by: Alex and Mace | April 23, 2008 12:55 PM
let the river guide you ?
Posted by: jake | April 23, 2008 12:59 PM
suck on your finger and then stick it up in the air if theres a breeze if there is go that way
Posted by: Dan | April 23, 2008 1:28 PM
Navigatewithout a map then ask the local where you are at.You could use the stars. You should look at your suroundings to see where you are.
Posted by: Mrs. O'connor | April 23, 2008 1:30 PM
You should use what you have, follow the river, and hope for the best. Ive looked at a lot of your dilimas they r fun to read.
I wish you guys the best of luck.
Posted by: Brandon | April 23, 2008 1:31 PM
Follow the stars and constellations. How about when you are able to use your computers on a dry surface, Google Earth and make a hand made map. Ask the local people when you see them. GO WITH THE FLOW!
8th Period- SHJH
Posted by: Mrs. Hartley | April 23, 2008 1:43 PM
buy a map
Posted by: Anonymous | April 23, 2008 1:51 PM
We think that you should sketch the maps of the river off of Google earth at night when you stop, seeing as you cannot have the laptops out of their protective cases on the river.
Posted by: Mr. Clark JOK | April 23, 2008 2:09 PM
We think you should use your compass and GPS and just go wherever the river takes you as long as you don't get too far off the trail as it were.
Posted by: Stannclark bmt | April 23, 2008 2:10 PM
You could purchasae a compass or you could follow the sun like they use to back in the day because when the sun sets it sets in the west and it rises in the East.
Posted by: St.Ann Clark whb | April 23, 2008 2:11 PM
We think you should find Parana Caru River on Google Earth and sketch a map out according to that.
Posted by: CDK | April 23, 2008 2:14 PM
Maybe you could use major landmarks or get maps to use. Since you cannot take the map, from Google Earth with you, take a picture of it with your cell phone and keep that for reference.
Posted by: stannclark-nch | April 23, 2008 2:15 PM
I think you should let the river guide you, use google earth on your phones and any thing else. Follow your instincts.
Sofi
Posted by: Sofi | April 23, 2008 2:27 PM
You could try to follow the main path of the river, while taking pictures of the wildlife, of course! Just be careful not to get confused by the other rivers contributing to it.
Posted by: Caroline | April 23, 2008 7:32 PM