What kind of equipment is essential for forestry navigation?

GPS devices and compasses are crucial tools for forestry navigation due to their ability to provide accurate location information and directional guidance. In dense forests, where visibility can be significantly obstructed, relying on traditional navigation methods such as landmarks may not be effective. GPS devices allow forestry workers to pinpoint their exact location on a map, facilitate route planning, and ensure they can return to specific locations within the forest. Compasses complement this by helping to orient their position and direction, especially when electronic devices may not function properly or are unavailable.

While equipment like ropes and pulleys, hand saws, and chainsaws are important for different forestry tasks—such as climbing or cutting—they do not directly assist with navigation in the ways that GPS devices and compasses do. Ropes and pulleys are primarily used for safety and movement, hand saws are for trimming, and chainsaws are designed for felling and cutting trees. Thus, the answer emphasizing GPS devices and compasses is indeed the most relevant for navigating in forestry environments.