[at-l] Measuring Wheels

[Walt Daniels]

GPSs and wheels measure different things. The surface of the ground is what
is known in technical terms as a fractal surface. The closer you look the
more bumpy it is down to the atomic level. All attempts at measuring it
necessarily average out the bumps. A measuring wheel averages over a
distance of a few feet. A GPS more typically averages over 30-40 feet. The
GPS ignores many wiggles. Just try GPSing up a series of 10ft long
switchbacks. What most hikers want in terms of distance is something they
can convert into effort or hiking time depending on their hiking speed. The
effort is highly related to the bumpiness which the wheel does a better job
of capturing than a GPS.

Lack of accuracy is not a term that should be applied to either. They are
both accurate at measuring what they measure. I have wheeled many sections,
both ways or multiple times and almost always it is repeatable to better
than 1% even if very bumpy. 

-----Original Message-----
From: at-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:at-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On
Behalf Of Casey Horrigan
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 2:40 PM
To: at-l at mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [at-l] Measuring Wheels

I use measuring wheels up in the whites for my job as a backcountry
caretaker to collect information and pinpoint areas that are in need of
restoration, relocation, or any other work. they are a pain in the ass,
heavy, and not accurate at all since they are not rolling over flat ground.
IVe never used a GPS, but I am imagining that it is a far better way to go.

Casey "Dingle"

--
Casey's Stories and Writings: www.AT04.com/casey

"...the stark reality of death, that half-dreaded, half-invited angel ever
brooding in the shadows of the climber's world." - Guy Waterman
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