Quote:
Originally Posted by BigV
Stride length 60 inches, 5 feet (that's a pace--two steps).
Of course it varies according to terrain, pace, load, etc. which works out to about 1000 paces per mile. The pedometer counts steps and not paces, which makes the grocery store a half a mile away.
I haven't bothered to measure my pace with any greater precision than this. I find this number very easy to use for distance math when I'm traveling outside, especially hiking. I have to make allowances when the steps/pace changes dramatically, like climbing or descending rough trails, or walking on the beach.
Do any of you try to measure your progress in the woods this way?
I have a gps, but I don't use it hiking. I might be inclined to use a newer one that has all the bells and whistles (and maps). But mine is too old to have those features, and isn't any better than a map and a compass and some sense of direction.
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BigV, I have hiked with a GPS with all the bells and whistles, but the noise was just too much. Ding, ding, toot, toot... but it did keep the bears away.
I've found, as you did, that terrain significantly alters stride length and forward progress. When hiking, I sometimes try to track my position on the map by counting alternate steps, and also by the shape and direction of the trail, and the slope of the land, but this only works if the trail as shown on the map is correct.
I sometimes put the GPS in my pack and go off trail, then try to find my way back to the trail or to a road using only a map and compass. I still have a lot to learn about navigating, but find this to be a useful exercise.