mtree wrote: ↑Wed Sep 15, 2021 11:50 am
daway8 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 15, 2021 11:25 am
mtree wrote: ↑Wed Sep 15, 2021 11:00 am
And sorry, on a separate note, pics are imprints to study. Not really route finding. Ever try finding "I Spy with my Little Eye" without the pic in front of you? See how good you really are.
So studying what's around you in order to find the best route forward isn't route finding???
Let's answer the question the OP asked instead of stroking your ego.
I believe he/she is trying to learn the nuances of route finding while on trail. Not referring to maps, GPSs, pics, and gear, but just instinct, experience, and a little gamblers luck to boot. I say go out there and start practicing. See how it works. All the drivel on this site is pointless. Kinda like learning to hike. Read 14ers all you want, but you won't learn until to actually start hiking.
123tqb wrote: ↑Tue Sep 14, 2021 1:20 pm
Getting into Class 4-5 alpine scrambling and climbing fairly recently, I am finding that my routefinding skills are seriously lacking. Looking back I can tell how some of my mistakes were made (not looking at the map carefully enough, not reading the full route description, etc.), but some of my mistakes I really just can't put a finger on. How did you guys become proficient at routefinding, or alternatively how did you practice? I want to be as safe a climber as possible and looking ahead, at my current pace, I find routefinding to be my fatal flaw.
IMO, the OP seems to be referring to both "find the best/easiest route as you go" as well as "trying to stick to a designated route based on beta (=map, route description, pics, etc)." Both might involve some innate talent, but I also do think they can be improved upon with practice. Many of the ideas above are good (ask climbing partner(s) what their decision process is, go solo and work on it yourself, don't climb up what you can't climb back down, etc).
Taking mental and physical pictures is a good idea. Using a map and/or GPS is also helpful. Often, I explore my route via google earth to get a big picture of where I'm going. This helps a lot with getting your basic bearings. If you're bushwhacking through the forest, having a GPS with tracks is also a good idea. But it's good to try to remember your route/landmarks in case the GPS fails.
One thing I'm working on is patience. Oftentimes, I get impatient and try to take the most direct way to the top. I've been learning that it's okay to sit back and take some time to think/explore - is this really the easiest way up? Is this just a false summit that I could easily bypass? Is there a class 2/3 route around the corner that I could take instead of this class 4+ stretch in front of me?
Kiefer has some good thoughts. You could bring a GPS, but (safely), try exploring with it turned off, and see if you can navigate on your own based on knowledge of the route, or a map you have with you (something I should try sometime.. I wonder if I often rely on my GPS too much). That probably helps a ton with route finding practice, instead of blindly following a GPX track.