Page 11 of 18 FirstFirst ... 910111213 ... LastLast
Results 101 to 110 of 171

Thread: GPS in fell races

  1. #101
    Senior Member philgreen1968's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    The Toon
    Posts
    311
    common sense prevails as usual. well done Ambleside

  2. #102
    Master Martyn P's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    North Yorkshire
    Posts
    1,441
    Quote Originally Posted by stumpy View Post
    Some very sanctimonious posts on here!
    "Sanctimonious" is exactly the right word. The moral high ground can be, in my experience, a lonely and dangerous place and I think far too many have sought refuge there during this little spat about GPS.
    Martyn Price
    North Leeds Fell Runners

  3. #103
    Master PeteS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Live in Brum, run in Worcestershire and Shropshire
    Posts
    2,283
    I have to applaud the Ambleside stance and I also notice 3 county tops have precluded the use of GPS for navigation this coming weekend though it is allowed for recording and safety.
    Fell running has always been an inclusive event. Yes we should embrace technological advances but until such time that GPS devices are affordable by all, commonplace, and above all, have no safety issues in terms of reliability over a map and compass, they should not be allowed for navigational purposes.

  4. #104
    Master
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Ambleside
    Posts
    5,471
    Achille Ratti have not defined what they mean by GPS use as a navigational aid. Presumably they accept live monitoring of distance covered as well as time, height, and use as a compass?
    As to affordability, why does that not apply to altimeters?
    I do agree that following a downloaded/stored route makes for a different type of event, and that ROs should be able to ban this.
    The Ambleside compromise seems a very balanced one.

  5. #105
    Master Martyn P's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    North Yorkshire
    Posts
    1,441
    The mood at Fairfield yesterday seemed quite light-hearted about it all, lots of interesting discussion afterwards. It strikes me that this particular race must be one of the easiest races to navigate in the Lakeland calendar, so it's curious that Ambleside chose to introduce this ruling and at relatively short notice.

  6. #106
    Master
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Ambleside
    Posts
    5,471
    Quote Originally Posted by Martyn P View Post
    The mood at Fairfield yesterday seemed quite light-hearted about it all, lots of interesting discussion afterwards. It strikes me that this particular race must be one of the easiest races to navigate in the Lakeland calendar, so it's curious that Ambleside chose to introduce this ruling and at relatively short notice.
    Wearing an Ambleside vest, I have more than once had a group following me on the way up - which is far more straightforward than the way(s) across and down - agreed , on a clear day the route is reasonably obvious; people have been known to end up in all sorts of odd places when the visibility is poor.

  7. #107
    Grandmaster IanDarkpeak's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    near the dark stuff
    Posts
    13,054
    Quote Originally Posted by PeteS View Post
    I have to applaud the Ambleside stance and I also notice 3 county tops have precluded the use of GPS for navigation this coming weekend though it is allowed for recording and safety.
    Fell running has always been an inclusive event. Yes we should embrace technological advances but until such time that GPS devices are affordable by all, commonplace, and above all, have no safety issues in terms of reliability over a map and compass, they should not be allowed for navigational purposes.
    I'm with Ambleside although I still think it will be difficult to prove etc should a complaint arise.

    As to waiting for GPS to be come affordable don't we already have an affordable way to navigate..

    To me its about learning the skill to navigate and improving mountain craft...

  8. #108
    Senior Member stumpy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Chilterns
    Posts
    754
    An annual subscription to OS is more than a pretty decent GPS watch! That said, I'd agree, you need to be able to navigate with map and compass - anyway Ian, you have a vested interest in folks having to learn these things ;-)

    Knowing how to use a GPS watch to supplement your map reading and route finding skills is all part of a developing skill set of fell craft I reckon - albeit not essential for anyone who can already navigate well using traditional methods. The affordability thing doesn't really wash with me either given the price of a pair of running shoes and shorts selling for £50+ by the bucket load!

    I think the final Ambleside rules are pretty sensible, and sets what will probably become the trend, but we do need the FRA to come to a (thoroughly considered) view in due course.

  9. #109
    Ambleside rules all sounds sensible to me.

    I have a watch with ability to create pre planned routes but I created a race profile that shows nothing but time elapsed, height and heart rate. I did this as I will admit to using my watch previously to navigate in an Ambleside race (Langdale race, the way off crinkle crags in clag) and in all honesty it didn't sit too right with me afterwards despite it being 'legal' hence I created the race profile.

    I could have done it with a map easy enough but that would have required me to actually get it out. I knew where I was, I just didn't know where to go.

    To all those complaining (mainly on fb), its the same response I had to people about the 3 peaks pre entry requirements. Their race, their rules! If you want to race, you follow their rules.

  10. #110
    Senior Member Fozzy42's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Hull
    Posts
    336
    Quote Originally Posted by AJF View Post
    To all those complaining (mainly on fb), its the same response I had to people about the 3 peaks pre entry requirements. Their race, their rules! If you want to race, you follow their rules.
    Yep, can't really argue with that!

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •