Google Maps can make driving more convenient, but its routing model isn't flawless. A traditional map is the better solution for hikers, especially when paired with a compass.Ī similar advice applies to drivers as well. Rescue experts who took part in the operations emphasized the need for suitable maps, explaining that Google Maps isn’t by any means the right choice. The man was eventually taken to hospital. He was already hypothermic after spending nearly one day under the clear sky and presented several injuries, including to the knee and leg. The rescue operation continued for 22 hours, and the hiker was eventually discovered close to Piers Gill. Minutes before the phone shutdown, the man managed to reach out to emergency services, telling the first responders he was located somewhere close to Lake District. It didn’t take long for his phone battery to die, so the hiker ended up all alone in the middle of nowhere. With Google Maps no longer providing guidance, the man got lost. The hiker lost the GPS signal and tried to move around to restore the connection, eventually going off the recommended route. A permanent connection is then required for navigation, as the application must track them on the map for route guidance. Like the other sat-nav solutions, Google Maps requires a GPS signal to determine users’ location. He attempted to use the walking directions provided by Google Maps in the Lake District, eventually getting lost after the application could no longer connect to GPS. The man used Google Maps for hiking directions despite the application being aimed at cars, walking, cycling, and public transportation. The outcome is easy to predict: the man got lost and triggered a major rescue operation that involved nine teams, two drones, and five search dogs.

Google driving maps