After a frustrating day in Pine Ridge, I sketch trails from memory before hiking

I was out there last fall and the lack of clear markers had me going in circles. I decided to try drawing the route from what I remembered once I got home. In my experience, this act of recreating it helps lock the turns and landmarks in my brain. Your mileage may vary, but it has made following trails feel more intuitive. I now do this quick sketch for any new area I plan to explore.

3 comments

3 Comments

piper_wells651mo ago

A neuroscience podcast said drawing maps engages your spatial memory differently than just looking at them.

wood.viola1mo ago

Totally believe that. I started drawing my neighborhood from memory last year and now I never get lost. It's like driving somewhere versus just being a passenger, your brain has to work harder.

beth_baker691mo ago

Remember getting totally turned around in some state park without a cell signal. My friend had to find a real paper map, which made me think about what @wood.viola said. Now I always carry one, just in case.