Navigation and Trip Planning
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Winter Navigation and Escape Route Planning
Whenever you plan hikes in exposed terrain, it’s useful to plan out escape routes in case an unexpected thunderstorm storm…
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How to Increase Your Daily Hiking Mileage
There will probably come a time in your hiking career where you need or want to do a big day…
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What is Book Time?
There’s an expression used in many hiking guides called book time. Also known as Naismith’s rule, it refers to the…
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53 Bushwhacking Tips for Off-Trail Navigation
Bushwhacking is a form of off-trail navigation through forested areas, so-called because the trees and ground vegetation whack back when…
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Wilderness Navigation and Route Planning
Wilderness navigation requires planning routes across terrain that doesn’t have pre-defined trails or roads to follow. While following a route using…
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Why are Topographic Maps Important for Hiking and Backpacking?
Topographic maps are used by hikers and backpackers to plan routes, estimate travel times, find water, good campsites, and track…
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How to Navigate with GeoPDF Maps
Most US Government Land Management Agencies, including the United States Geological Survey, the National Park Service, the United States Department…
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Time Control Plan for a Presidential Traverse
How long does it take to hike a Presidential Traverse? That depends on a lot of factors, but there is…
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Hiking Above Treeline
Above Treeline. If those words don’t scare you or at least raise your guard, then you should read this post…
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Slope Angle Shading in GaiaGPS and Caltopo
One of the hallmarks of good hiking and backpacking navigation is picking trails or routes that reduce the level of…
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How to Print Paper Maps Directly from the Topo Maps+ Mobile GPS Navigation App
I’ve been evaluating a mobile navigation app for the past few months called Topo Maps+ (IOS only) that lets you print…
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Backpacking in a Hurricane
I backpacked the northermost section of Vermont’s Long Trail during Hurricane Ike in 2008. I didn’t realize that I was…
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GaiaGPS App Setup and Battery Management Tips
GaiaGPS is the smartphone navigation app that I teach students how to use, in addition to map and compass, in…
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How to Use the Gaia GPS Smartphone App in Offline Mode
I’m often asked whether Smartphone GPS Navigation Apps like Gaia GPS can work when they’re not connected to a cell phone…
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