Been thinking about the ethical angles of GPS use in wilderness navigation competitions lately. On one hand,it streamlines things,possibly making events safer and allowing organizers to design more challenging courses that would be impractical with customary map and compass skills alone. Athletes can be tracked more easily too, which is a significant safety advantage.
Though, isn’t the whole point of wilderness navigation *supposed* to be about relying on analogue skills? Using GPS feels like it undermines the core challenge – the ability to read a topo map, use a compass, and interpret natural landmarks. It almost becomes a different sport entirely if you’re just following a digital breadcrumb trail, lessening the emphasis on landcraft and field skills.Ultimately, where do we draw the line? Is limited GPS use acceptable (say, only for emergency situations or checking your position a few times) or should these events stay purely traditional? I’m curious to hear what others think. What skills are we *really* testing in these competitions, and does GPS enhance or detract from that goal?