My ward did a trek to commemorate the Mormon pioneers coming to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847 (this was in 1997.) We were all dressed in pioneer garb and had a few handcarts. Middle of July in Utah.
Not to point any fingers, but the men looked at the map, but didn’t bring the map because they could remember where we were to go. A 2 mile trek turned into a 17 mile death march. We had kids dropping like flies due to heat exertion and dehydration. They even sent out the Search and Rescue squad. We were sooo relieved to see the trucks. There were no lasting effects from the trek, but those leaders learned that perhaps they should bring along maps next time.
Any time I mention that trek to anyone who was on it, we all turn green. LOL.
Very funny with your pioneer trek. Our men had the map on our hike in the Badlands. We just looked at the map only, not the warnings on the back it. Hey, with responsability comes endless ribbing after you mess up.
We parked at Looking Glass Rock and basically followed the drainage down. I had a handheld GPS that I used to backttrack a shorter route.
My digital camera LOST all my pictures on that trek!
I guess it would have been a bit longer getting back if the GPS had crapped out too!