Navigating a City Without GPS

Objective
Move through a city efficiently with dead phones by using grid patterns, transit corridors, and skyline features.
Grid Logic
- Identify cardinal streets/avenues; odd/even numbering hints direction.
- Follow transit lines (bus rails) to hubs with resources.
Landmarks
- Use skyline features (towers, bridges) as big handrails.
Paper Map Method
- Mark start and destination; sketch two alternates.
- Note bridges/tunnels and barricade‑prone areas.
- Set rendezvous points every 15–20 blocks.
Real Example
Two coworkers walked home using a river as a handrail and a stadium as an attack point, avoiding a blocked downtown core.
Checklist
- Pocket paper map
- Sharpie, small compass
- Cash for rideshare perimeter
Contingencies
- Night travel → stick to lit arteries; avoid underpasses.
- Unrest → move parallel to main routes; use alleys cautiously.
After‑Action
Update your pocket map with reliable cut‑throughs and safe lobbies.
← Previous | All Articles | Next →