how to navigate an ultra (or not get lost)

---

One aspect that can put some people off ultras is not knowing how to navigate and the thought of getting lost.  Hopefully this article will allay some of these doubts and help you stay on track.

First off worth highlighting that though there are some events that rely on using a paper map and compass well (e.g. Barkley Marathons, most fell races, OMM and orienteering style races) for most ultras you don’t need to be able to use a map and compass.

Most UK ultra events today have courses that are marked with ribbons and arrows or are unmarked but have a specified route to follow and importantly in both cases the races provide you with a GPX file of the route (more about that below).  

For these events, being able to use a GPS device is the easiest and most reliable way of not getting lost.   If you can use a map and compass well that is great and you may enjoy the experience more but it’s not necessary to be a map geek like me to not get lost.

So what’s a GPS device.  In essence it’s a bit of tech wizardry with three elements.  First is a digital map.  You can overlay on top a track (known as a GPX file).  And crucially it shows you where you are on the map/relative to the track. Once the race GPX track is downloaded to your GPS device you can easily follow it.

There are broadly three different types of GPS devices that you can use – each has its own pros and cons.

Phone with map app such as OSMaps or AllTrails

• Its free or cheap since we already have phone (e.g. premium OSMaps £24.49 per year)
• The map detail and resolution is very good (though sometimes have to subscribe)
• They are normally intuitive and easy to use
• BUT phone battery can run down quickly if frequently used and they are useless in heavy rain since the touchscreen doesn’t work

Smart watch with navigation capability (not all watches have this)

• If you already have a suitable running watch its free (but if you don’t probably costs £100+)
• Very easy and quick (a few seconds) to check your position versus the GPX track
• Long battery life (typically 10-30 hours whilst navigating)
• Good in bad weather
• BUT maps have little detail (particularly off roads) and small screen means you can’t use the a watch to navigate away from the route or back onto the route

Dedicated handheld device such as Garmin 64s

• They are expensive (typically £200+ and more with good maps)
• Maps are clearer than on watches but normally not as good as a phone
• Generally bombproof in bad weather since have buttons
• BUT take a while to fire up, are extra weight, and for many an extra cost

So what to use.  This is what I tend to do.

On a marked course I will only need to use a GPS device if I think I am off-course.  This happens (hopefully infrequently) when I haven’t seen any markers for a while which is normally due to not paying attention or because a marker has been removed.  I use OSMaps on my phone since the infrequent use means there won’t be too much load on the phone battery and I can keep the phone quite dry if the weather is awful.  If I want an extra backup just in case, I will also download the GPX track to my watch (which I am anyway wearing).

On an unmarked course where there is a specified route and GPX track I will predominantly use my watch to check I am on course and see which way to turn – I can do this frequently and easily on a watch without running the battery down.  I’ll probably have the GPX track on phone/OSMaps as well so that in the unlikely case I am a long way off route I have a clear map to figure out the best way to get back on route.

Generally the only time I would take a handheld device is if the weather is likely to be really awful or if its included in mandatory kit (e.g. winter Spine races).

Lastly, some other ideas and tips on not getting lost and how to use these devices

• If you are less confident with not getting lost choose an ultra with a marked course (or even a track, short road loop course)
• Many people like to familiarise themselves with the route (some prefer the ‘surprise’).  A few options:

              —  recce the route (i.e. do parts of it at a gentle pace) 

              —  take a look at the course on a map or Google Earth or Fatmap.  This should help you visualise the main 

                   features of the route, for example: 3 big hills at 12, 17 and 26 miles, or climb right side of valley

              —  for some races someone may have done a youtube review of the course

• Another ‘navigation’ strategy is to run/walk with someone else.  However, do you know that they know where to go? And what if they run/walk at a different pace to you?
• If you are going to rely on a GPS device, make sure you know how to use it – you can create your own GPX track in your local area and learn by following that
• Before you start your race, you will need to download/import the GPX track to your GPS device (normally available on race website)
• If you are using a phone, download the map to the phone so you have the map available even if out of mobile coverage
• Know how long your watch battery lasts and consider carrying a back-up battery for your phone/watch (and charging leads)
• If a particular GPS device (or map and compass) is on the mandatory kit list you must take it even if you don’t plan to use it
• If you are going to rely on a particular device, make sure its accessible – if it’s difficult to access you may put off using it when you are unsure.  For instance, wear your watch on outside of your coat if wearing big gloves, or keep your phone in a pocket (in a sandwich bag to keep it dry)
• Try to avoid continually watching your GPS device else you miss the views or trip over!

We’ll put up some advice and videos on how to download GPX tracks and how to use the various GPS devices.  In the meantime this and this are useful on using a GPS watch.

Even if you might rely mostly on a GPS device, being able to use map and compass will improve your enjoyment of an ultra since you’ll have a better feel of where you are and where you’re going and if you deviate a long way off route you can find a good way back.  It also means you can go out in the hills and safely navigate yourself around.  If you want to learn how to navigate using a map and compass, there are lots of great courses about - here's our partners that provide navigation courses.  

This article was written by Basil one of the into ultra team.  He’s a confirmed map geek, hates tech and has got lost quite a few times.