Gaia GPS

Brittany holds her son next to a fully rigged jeep. Sunset desert in the background.

Road Tripping Around the World with Hourless Life — and their Toddler

by Mary Cochenour October 14, 2021

written by Mary Cochenour

Brittany and Eric Highland moved out of their home seven years ago and have lived on the road ever since. They started out in a giant RV and eventually moved to a Jeep Wrangler made for rock crawling. When their son Caspian arrived, they built out a Jeep Gladiator so they could drive around the world all together.

Last Saturday, they crossed the U.S. border into Mexico with a long-term goal of driving every continent on the globe. They have no date of return in mind.

Their journey started with one word: overlanding.

“I stumbled on the word ‘overlanding’ and it caught my attention because I had no idea what it meant,” Brittany said. “Come to find out, overlanding is vehicle-based adventure travel usually with an international border crossing aspect to it. And that really blew my mind because I had no idea that people went on extended trips with multiple border crossings, or even that they drove around the world.”

Brittany (holding son) and Eric pose in front of a canyon.

The concept of a worldwide road trip grabbed ahold of Brittany, but she thought international travel would be impossible to accomplish with their then one-year-old son.

A podcast changed her mind. Looking for inspiring stories from overlanders, Brittany listened to Episode 30 of the Overlanding Podcast. This show featured the Snaith family who has completed a 4-year journey around the world with their two young children. The Snaiths’ story convinced Brittany that overlanding long distances with a toddler was possible.

Brittany and Eric spent the next three years searching for the perfect vehicle to cross international borders. They chose the Jeep Gladiator Sport S with a max tow package and topped it with an Alu-Cab Canopy Camper on the back. From there, everything was custom-built to their needs.

“The entire build was based on one thing, and that is where Caspian is going to sit,” Eric explained. “We knew we wanted Caspian to sit right behind the driver for two reasons. One: so he wouldn’t distract the driver. And two: so that the person sitting in the passenger seat could minister to him, whether that’s reading him a book, passing him some snacks or toys, having a conversation, or going through school while we’re driving.”

Hourless Life's rig: a jeep with a pop up tent.

The Highlands have named their personal brand “Hourless Life.” The name reflects their family mission and the fact that they no longer wake up to an alarm clock or report to a boss at a conventional job. Their days are literally hourless and they are guided by the map on their dash and loose plans to complete their round the world journey in say, 10 to 15 years.

Caspian will be homeschooled throughout the journey, but much of his education will come from experiencing new and different cultures.

“It’s just so apparent that some of the most important things that we need to learn in life, we can’t learn from a book,” Brittany said of Caspian spending his formative years on the road. “And each person in this world has something to teach. They have an experience, a career, an insight, some wisdom. And so we are so looking forward to all the people that we’re going to meet across all different cultures and languages and countries.”

Giving up the nine to five and hitting the road for a decade sounds like ultimate freedom, but the Highlands admit that it’s not all glowing sunrises and relaxation on secluded and exotic beaches. The family will face challenges and have to maintain ordinary responsibilities, like doctor appointments and paying bills.

The Highlands have vowed to give an honest look at their lives on the road in their popular YouTube Series, Hourless Life.

“We’ve learned to roll with the punches as much as we can. We just try and educate people that this is the reality of full-time travel and there are some big challenges along with all the wonderful days,” Brittany said.

Tune Into the Hourless Life

If you’re intrigued by the Highlands’ nomadic life, tune in to their complete story on Episode 6 of the Gaia GPS Offroad podcast. Wade asks the hard questions, including how to make money on the road, vehicle modifications for international travel, and what, if anything, the family hopes to find on this journey.

For exclusive content, join the Hourless Life Patreon. Follow their journey on Instagram. Get their best tips and tricks on the Hourless Life website.

Trails Offroad: Get 2,700+ Detailed Trail Guides with Difficulty Ratings

You don’t have to go around the entire world to have an overlanding adventure of your own. Our show’s sponsor Trails Offroad has thousands of routes for you to explore right here in the United States. Trails Offroad’s trail guides come with detailed route information, including a downloadable gpx track and waypoints, campsite information, photos of important places, and a difficulty rating so you know what you’re getting yourself into. And the best part: you can send all your Trails Offroad routes straight to your Gaia GPS account with a single press of a button.

Last Episode: Mouthwatering Camp Meal with Overland Chef Marco Hernandez

If you want to learn how to make mouthwatering meal in camp, then go back and listen to episode 5 with camp chef Marco Hernandez. Marco is the founder of the popular YouTube channel Ovrlndx and author of The Overland Cook, a recipe book for car camping meals.

Marco joins us with a complete walk-thru of his camp kitchen, including a full size blender and an oven. He gives insights on how he keeps those things and his refrigerator powered on the road. Plus, learn why he bought a Jeep 392 and how he’s building this one out, less for rock crawling, and more for overland comfort.

October 14, 2021

Heather Anderson sits with a cup of coffee in her tent.

Gaia GPS How-To Out and Back Podcast

A Definitive Guide to the Best Camp Coffee

by Mary Cochenour September 30, 2021

written by Mary Cochenour

Coffee is life for many of us. It’s our morning ritual, a jolt that shakes us out of the afternoon doldrums, and a pick-me-up when we need to burn the midnight oil. But in the backcountry, brewing the perfect cup can be complicated. A pour-over leaves you with messy grounds to haul out, and instant coffee often falls short on taste. We turned to some of our favorite professional hikers — Heather “Anish” Anderson, the Hiking Viking, Adventure Alan Dixon, and Liz “Snorkel” Thomas — to unmask the secrets to brewing the best cup of coffee in camp.

Turns out their methods for making coffee on trail are as wild and varied as their personalities.

It’s no wonder that Heather Anderson, one of the world’s most accomplished hikers, likes coffee. Heather has hiked the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail — three times each. She set speed records on the AT and the PCT and became one of just a handful of hikers to complete all three long trails in the span of one calendar year. With that kind of energy, caffeine must be involved.

“When you contacted me about this piece, I actually thought ‘wow I have a lot to say about coffee’. I could talk for a whole hourlong podcast about coffee,” Heather says. “I have used pretty much every method of preparation of coffee on trail and I think, at this point, with varying results.”

Oddly enough, Heather didn’t bother with coffee until desperation set in on the last leg of her record-breaking PCT thru-hike. She had been averaging more than 40 miles per day for almost two months straight when she hit a wall. On the last mountain passes in Washington, Heather caught herself falling asleep while walking in the dark. She pulled out the coffee.

“I think it was Folgers from a gas station, and I’m literally just dumping it into my water bottle with cold water and shaking it and then chugging it,” Heather says. “And that was how I got to Canada.”

After snagging the PCT record, which still stands today, Heather went after the AT record. She smashed it, this time getting her caffeine fix from food — Trail Butter. Soon she realized she’d like to try to hiking like, well, the rest of us. She set out on the CDT with her partner and brought along fresh grounds to brew really good coffee the whole way. Even though Heather prefers a pour-over or a French press to instant coffee, she explains that the barista lifestyle on a long trail isn’t easily accomplished. Her go-to when she’s focused on making miles? A quality instant brand that offers multiple servings in one package. Because one cup is never enough.

Hiking Viking drinking from a juice box.

But even instant coffee is too much trouble for some hikers. After all, you have to boil the water, and then open the packet, and stir in the coffee crystals. Eventually, when it finally cools down to a tolerable temperature, you’ll have to sit and drink it.

Hiking Viking, otherwise known as Thomas Gathman, doesn’t have time for that. A former Marine Scout Sniper, Viking has hiked the Triple Crown, completed the AT in winter, and is well known for his long, flowing, Norse-like beard. Arguably, one of the biggest personalities in the hiking community, Viking prefers his coffee fast and cheap.

“I don’t bring a French press. I don’t bring a pour-over. I don’t bring fresh grounds. I don’t bring a grinder. I don’t have that kind of time. I don’t play around like that,” Viking says. “We might buy the cheapest, crappiest coffee there is. It’s whatever saves us a penny and whatever gets the caffeine and the poop going.”

Viking has a point. Coffee is an investment of time and it adds weight to your backpack. A french press or a pour-over filter means extra gear to lug around, an assault on the most basic principles of ultralight backpacking. Can good backcountry coffee and ultralight backpacking co-exist?

Adventure Alan Dixon thinks so. Alan is founder of the trusted backpacking website www.adventurealan.com, where he posts gear reviews and how-to articles about reducing your backpacking weight. Alan is famous for carrying nothing more than he needs. But after enduring decades of bad coffee, Alan has finally endorsed a French press method and an award-winning pour-over contraption — each light enough to make the grade for ultralight backpacking. He unapologetically defends his decision to add a little extra gear and weight to his pack.

Adventure Alan sits cross legged with a pour over.

“Having a cup of coffee with people is good,” Alan says. “If I can do that for 1.8 ounces, I think it’s really on par with and sort of honed my adherence to ultralight backpacking.”

Bringing fresh grounds means you have to haul them out. If that’s a deal-breaker, Liz “Snorkel” Thomas has the answer for you. A Triple Crown hiker and AT record-setter, Liz is also an author of hiking guide books, an editor for BACKPACKER magazine and Treeline Review, and a writer for the New York Times.

A few years ago, the Times assigned Liz to write a story about the best backcountry coffee. She conducted a scientific, blind study on 14 brands of instant coffee. The testers: a panel of professional coffee connoisseurs.

“Some of it was really low quality, instant stuff,” Liz says. “But in the end, it seemed like a lot of people had very similar goals of what they wanted in an instant coffee and it was super fun to see what everyone’s results were regardless of whether they were in the backcountry or the front country.”

Want to hear Liz’s coffee taste test findings? Tune in to the Out and Back podcast. You’ll also find out the brands of instant coffee Heather Anderson uses on every trip, Viking’s coffee alternative, and the details on Adventure Alan’s 1.8-ounce coffee methods.

Liz Thomas sits with an insulated thermos in front of her tent.

Follow these four thru-hikers on Instagram: @anishhikes, @therealhikingviking, @1adventurealan,@lizthomashiking.

September 30, 2021

Man looking at a map in Gaia GPS on his phone

Company News Gaia GPS

Unlock Adventure with Gaia GPS on Outside+

by Abby Levene September 30, 2021

written by Abby Levene

Gaia GPS has joined forces with Outside Inc. to bring you not only the best backcountry navigation tools, but also leading outdoor journalism from our award-winning titles like Outside magazine, BACKPACKER, Trail Runner, SKI, Climbing, and more.

What does this mean as a Gaia GPS user? You can continue to use Gaia GPS just as you are now. Or you can access all the benefits of Gaia GPS Premium and Outside+ in one membership. You have three options to take your adventures to the next level:

Option 1: Gaia GPS Premium

If you just want access to all of Gaia GPS, no problem. A Gaia GPS Premium subscription unlocks the full capabilities of planning, navigating, and recording your adventures.

With a Gaia GPS Premium membership, you get access to our entire map catalog, including National Geographic Trails Illustrated, high resolution satellite imagery, slope angle shading, and USGS maps. Layer maps on top of each other to find free camping, new trails, and to avoid burn zones. Plus, download your maps for offline use so you can always find your way in the backcountry, even when you’re far from cell service.

Option 2: Outside+ (Gaia GPS Premium included)

Visual representation of Outside+ offerings.

Enjoy all of the benefits of a Gaia GPS Premium account plus print magazines, books, and exclusive media content all in one Outside+ membership. Outside+ bundles Outside Magazine, Backpacker, and Ski with 30 other leading titles. Outside+ gives members best-in-class storytelling, premium access to OutsideTV, online courses, discounted event access, and print books and magazines. By joining Outside+ you’re also supporting in-depth, independent journalism, as well as helping us to make the best backcountry app for your adventures.

Option 3: Limited Gaia GPS for Free

Plan new routes at home, record your tracks in the field, and check out our flagship worldwide Gaia Topo map with a free Gaia GPS account. To take your maps offline, layer maps together, and add custom map sources, upgrade to Gaia GPS Premium.

Choose Your Membership

Thanks for joining us on this ride! We’re working hard to make Gaia GPS even better for your adventures.

September 30, 2021

Adventures Gaia GPS Hikes

The Best National Parks to Visit in October, Plus Top Recommended Hikes

by Julien Friedland September 30, 2021

written by Julien Friedland

Once a year, fleeting reds, yellows, and oranges light up national parks across the country. Hikers favor fall for its crisp cool air, stunning scenery and fewer crowds that make the trails more enjoyable. So, if you’re looking to take in the foliage from the trail, how do you choose which parks to visit of the 61 in the U.S.? Learn about the best national parks to visit in October, top hikes for fall foliage, and helpful tips for the trail.

Waterfall in Cuyahoga National Park covered in fall leaves.

1. Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Ohio

Explore 125 miles of hiking trails bursting with bright yellow birches and deep red oaks each October. You might not know the name, but Cuyahoga Valley National Park harbors exceptional fall colors, rivaling the best in the country. Just 30 minutes outside of Cleveland and less crowded than many other parks, Cuyahoga Valley National Park makes for a convenient and beautiful adventure in the fall.

Recommended Hikes:
Wildlife, plant diversity and rock formations fill the mellow, low elevation trails of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Visit the Ledges Trail for a seven-mile view of the valley and the 65 foot Brandywine Falls.

Ledges Trail
- Rating: Difficult
- Length: 6 miles
- Along the trail: valley views, rock formations, caves
Brandywine Falls
- Rating: Easy
- Length: 4.8 miles
- Along the trail: boardwalk access, Brandywine gorge, 65-foot Brandywine Falls
Meadowedge Pond Loop
- Rating: Easy
- Length: 4.7
- Along the trial: creek crossings, pond views, dense forest

Before You Go: Entrance to the park is free and dogs are allowed. Brandywine Falls is best visited early in the morning or later in the afternoon due to its popularity.

Browse Hikes in Cuyahoga NP

Moss-covered trees in Olympic National Park temperate rainforest surrounded by fall leaves on the ground. — Photo courtesy of Gaia GPS

2. Olympic National Park – Washington

Experience temperate rainforests popping with color, elks bulging, and chanterelle mushrooms growing in the forest in Olympic National Park. Rainy season on the peninsula coincides with mystical changes in the park. Vibrant highlights of crimson maples and lemon yellow cottonwoods speckle the hanging beards of moss in the Hoh Rain Forest. Explore glacial peaks to coastal trails that span almost a million acres – then warm up at the Sol Duc Hot Springs or another natural hot spring in the park.

Recommended Hikes:
Trails range from easy to difficult and span a bevy of wildly varying climates. Hike along the 73 miles of coastal beaches, backpack through one of four separate rainforests in the park, slosh into salmon-filled rivers or bag a peak in the Olympic Mountain Range.

North Fork Skokomish River:
- Rating: Easy
- Length: 2.2 miles
- Along the trail: low elevation, salmon swimming upstream during the fall
Hurricane Ridge:
- Rating: Easy
- Length: 2.1 miles
- Along the trail: panoramic Olympic Mountain Range views, sunset
Bogachiel Peak Loop
- Rating: Difficult
- Length: 17.9 miles
- Along the trail: dense forests, creeks, alpine lakes, Mt. Olympus views

Before You Go: Temperatures vary from 10-20 degrees even in the summer. Expect snow as early as September in high elevations. Prepare accordingly with warm and waterproof layers.

Browse Hikes in Olympic NP

Scenic overlook of ridge lines covered by fall foliage in Shenandoah National Park — Photo courtesy of NPS / Neal Lewis

3. Shenandoah National Park – Virginia

Wander through purple dogwoods, golden beech trees, and fiery red oaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Wherever you hike in the park, overlooks of the Shenandoah Valley burst with a mix of reds, oranges, and yellows. If your legs need a rest, drive down the Skyline Drive National Scenic Byway which runs north to south through the park. 75 scenic overlooks offer many opportunities to step out of the car and take in the crisp autumn air.

Recommended Hikes: Power through an out and back that packs a punch to the summit or spend a few days brushing shoulders with thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail. With over 500 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult, every hiker can find a trail with a length and view that suits them.

Old Rag Mountain Loop
- Rating: Difficult
- Length: 9 miles
- Along the trail: boulder scrambling, forest paths, summit views
Mary’s Rock
- Rating: Easy
- Length: 1.5
- Along the trial: challenging steep terrain, summit views of the Shenandoah Valley
White Oak Falls
- Rating: Difficult
- Length: 5.4
- Along the trail: creeks, small waterfalls, dense forest

Before You Go: Shenandoah National Park sees a spike in visits during fall so make advanced arrangements before visiting the park.

Browse Hikes in Shenandoah NP

Overlook of Maine's Atlantic coast with fall foliage in the foreground — Photo courtesy of NPS / Victoria Stauffenberg

4. Acadia National Park – Maine

Visit the gem of the northeast along Maine’s Atlantic Coast. Hikers flock to Acadia National Park in the fall for its diversity of hardwoods and coniferous forests spread over 49,000 acres. The blazing red maples, golden birches, and shimmery aspens against the waters of the Atlantic will satisfy even the most discerning leaf peepers.

Recommended Hikes: Acadia’s 160 trails run through and alongside forests, summits, lakes, and coastal lines. From leisurely, low elevation strolls to 1,000 foot peak summits, the park accommodates a variety of hikers looking to enjoy Maine’s coast.

Bubble Trail
- Rating: Easy
- Length: 2.3 miles
- Along the trail: rocky ascents, views of Jordan Pond and teetering boulder
Jordan Pond
- Rating: Easy
- Length: 3.4 miles
- Along the trail: sprawling pond views, wooden footbridges, views of North/South Bubbles
Sargent Mountain Loop
- Rating: Difficult
- Length: 6 miles
- Along the trail: summit views of the Atlantic

Before You Go: Read up on entrance fees and road and trail closures, which include nesting peregrine falcons, construction, and weather.

Browse Hikes in Acadia NP

Rocky river surrounded by golden fall foliage in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Photo Courtesy of NPS

5. Great Smoky Mountains National Park – North Carolina/Tennessee

Bordering North Carolina and Tennessee and teeming with over 100 species of trees, Great Smoky Mountains National Park boasts awe-inspiring landscapes in the fall. Traverse the spiny ridge-line of the park for a flood of fall color unique to this region. Located in the heart of Appalachia, the Smokys offer the quintessential fall experience including corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and apple-picking. Venture into nearby Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge after you’ve worked up an appetite on the trails.

Recommended Hikes: 850 trails crisscross the ridges of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including 70 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Hikers can enjoy a short and sweet taste of the AT or take on a strenuous summit hike with a sack-lunch and plenty of water. Hikers will find picturesque views on trails rated easy to difficult.

Ramsey Cascades
- Rating: Difficult
- Length: 7.9 miles
- Along the trail: largest old growth forest in the Smokys, footbridges, cascades
Chimney Tops
- Rating: Difficult
- Length: 3.9 miles
- Along the trail: rocky, steep trail, panoramic views, creek crossings
Cigman’s Dome Loop
- Rating: Easy
- Length: 3.7
- Along the trail: highest point in Tennessee, 100-mile views, 360-degree views of the Smokys

Before you Go: Go early or arrive late to avoid crowds when visiting the park. Cades Cove and Newfound Gap Rd. see the most traffic.

Browse Hikes in Great Smoky Mountains NP

Close-up of red dogwood tree leaves with sequoia in the background — Photo courtesy of NPS / Emily Fedorko

6. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park – California

Note: these two parks are currently closed due to wildfires. Please check in with the NPS before making plans to visit.

Experience the magic of the world’s largest trees accented by fall colors. Stare up at Sequoia National Park’s “living giants,” made perhaps grander by the highlights of red dogwoods in the backdrop. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park’s unique vegetation between the foothills and high alpine offers oaks, perennials, and pines among many other tree species. Visiting in the fall provides a break from the heat and crowds at the park, making October the ideal time to visit.

Recommended Hikes: From the worlds largest tree to the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, these parks have a wide variety of terrain for exploration. Get off the beaten path and discover canyons, granite cliffs, and wildlife. For the best fall colors, visit the less-traveled and lower elevation foothills to see the blue oaks, gold fern fields, and dogwoods.

General Sherman
- Rating: Easy
- Length: 1.6
- Along the trail: world’s largest tree, monarch sequoias
Marble Falls
- Rating: Easy
- Length: 1.6
- Along the trail: foothills vegetation, oaks, waterfall
The Watchtower
- Rating: Difficult
- Length: 5.1
- Along the trail: Heather Lake views, alpine hiking, exposed rock faces

Before You Go: Fees are required to enter the park. Read up on them here.

Browse Hikes in Kings Canyon NP

Browse Hikes in Sequoia NP

Zion Canyon with cottonwood foliage in the foreground — Photo courtesy of NPS

7. Zion National Park – Utah

Dramatic red rocks and canyons, and blue bodies of water put Zion National Park on the map. Coupled with autumn colors, those striking visuals only intensify in the fall. Plus, the crowds and temperature remain lower and more manageable during this season. Like other parks located in the west, the contrast of dark green conifers and bright yellows create distinct bursts of color.

Recommended Hikes: Wind through a slot canyon, ramble on an out and back or backpack into the wilderness. Zion Canyon has the most popular trails in the park but visitors can also find less frequented but equally stunning hikes in Kolob Canyons and Zion Wilderness.

Angel’s Landing
- Rating: Difficult
- Length: 6.5 miles
- Along the trail: Emerald Pools, panoramic canyon views, climb along chains
Observation Point
- Rating: Easy
- Length: 3 miles
- Along the trail: views atop East Rim of Zion Canyon, Watchman peak crag
Riverside Walk
- Rating: Easy
- Length: 2 miles
- Along the trail: river access, weeping walls, cliff wall views

Before You Go: Backpacking and canyoneering require permits, including popular routes in the Narrows. Make sure to check the weather, as flash-floods and hypothermia can be extremely dangerous.

Browse Hikes in Zion NP

Foggy red, yellow and green foliage in Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest

8. Green Mountain National Forest – Vermont

Cider donuts, a cool morning on the trail and Vermont’s scarlet red maples bursting in the valley— what more could you ask for? This National Forest made the list for it’s famed fall foliage in New England. Home to several 4,000 footers, Green Mountain National Forest makes for big grins and tired legs in the fall. Try your legs on one of these peaks for views of the crimson reds, bright yellows and burnt oranges that set the landscape on fire. If you can’t make it till later in the season, be prepared for “snowliage” when a coat of white snow makes for extra pop against the foliage.

Recommended Hikes: Green Mountain National Forest contains over 900 miles of trails including Vermont’s Long Trail which overlaps with the Appalachian Trail. Hike a portion of these renowned trails or pick your way up a rooty, rocky gap trail. Shorter loops also offer terrain better suited for kids and families.

Gap to Gap
- Rating: Difficult
- Length: 10.1 miles
- Along the trail: two 4,000 footers, Lake Champlain views, dense forest
Little Killington
- Rating: Easy
- Length: 2.7 miles
- Along the trail: summit views
Ice Bed Trail
- Rating: Easy
- Length: 1 mile
- Along the trail: multiple lookouts, talus piles, ice beds year-round,

Before You Go: Check foliage reports here. Because this is a National Forest, dogs are allowed as long as they are leashed.

Browse Hikes in Green Mountains NF

Can’t make it to one of these parks? Search your local area to find a park/hike near you..

September 30, 2021

Gaia GPS Out and Back Podcast

Owls and UFOs with Ultralight Expert Mike Clelland

by Abby Levene September 9, 2021

written by Abby Levene

Ultralight backpacking expert Mike Clelland has slept outside as often as possible for decades. Cowboy camping one night 15 years ago, something happened that changed Mike’s life forever. He tried to dismiss it, but it happened again. And again. That series of events sent Mike down the unlikely path of studying how powerful coincidences connect us to the supernatural.

In this very special episode of Out and Back, Mike dives into the mysterious world of owl synchronicities — and their connection to UFO abductions. Yes, you read that correctly.

Mike sits on a rock while prepping lunch.

It all started with a highly charged owl encounter on top of a mountain.

“I saw the owls. And I heard a voice in my head that said, ‘This has something to do with the UFO’s. You are an abductee,” Mike recounts on Out and Back. “To feel that, and to hear it in my head, it changed the direction of my life. I started exploring the symbolic meaning of owls and their connection to the UFO contact experience. And it took over my life.”

Mike is a masterful storyteller and will leave you clutching your seat (or trekking poles) as he shares his first-hand encounters with owls and extraterrestrial life. He weaves his own narrative into the rich history of owl lore, dreams, shamanistic stories, and other first-hand accounts to reveal this mystical world lurking in plain sight.

Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, you’ll want to tune in to hear Mike’s perspective. At the very least, you will never see the world the same way again.

Check out Mike’s book The Messengers, which dives into the overlapping worlds of owls, synchronicities, and UFO abduction. His companion book Stories from The Messengers goes further into the symbolic and literal links between owls and UFOs. Mike is also the illustrator and author behind a series of books on mastering outdoor techniques. And finally, check out Mike’s longstanding blog, Hidden Experience, and his podcast, The Unseen with Mike Clelland.

Last Episode: Overcoming Backpacking Fears with She Dreams of Alpine

Allison smiles next to a trail sign on the JMT.

Newbie and seasoned backpackers alike all hold fears around backcountry travel. Outdoor Backpacking Educator and Empowerment Coach Allison Boyle shares how to overcome them on the last episode of the Out and Back podcast. Allison is the face behind the ultra-popular blog and coaching service She Dreams of Alpine, which teaches women how to become safe, confident, and self-sufficient in the backcountry.

Allison shares her stumbling blocks when she started adventuring outside, and how her fears initially continued to grow as she gained more experience. She talks about the top three fears beginner backpackers face, and how to overcome them. She explains “trip resistance,” that dark cloud of anxiety that seems to float over your head the week before any trip — no matter your experience level. Learn how to quiet that inner voice telling you to abandon your plans, so you can get out and have a blast on the trail. Tune in to learn Allison’s favorite breakfast foods in the backcountry, the one item she can’t leave behind, and how she turned her outdoor passion into a career.

Follow She Dreams of Alpine on Instagram, check out the blog for tried and true advice (including the free Ultimate Outdoor Adventure Starter Kit), and consider signing up for She Dreams of Alpine’s Backpacking Badass program to learn how to become a confident and self-sufficient backpacker.

September 9, 2021

Adventures Gaia GPS Gaia GPS Offroad Podcast Offroading User Profiles

How to Build Your Dream Overlanding Vehicle with Mountain State Overland

by Mary Cochenour September 2, 2021

written by Mary Cochenour

Building out your dream overlanding vehicle can be an overwhelming task, leaving you in a state of “analysis by paralysis.” Self-proclaimed “professional car camper” and offroad guide Jason Specht is here to help. Jason is one of the founders of Mountain State Overland, a popular YouTube channel and overlanding guide service dedicated to responsible offroad recreation. Jason joins us on the Gaia GPS Offroad podcast this week to walk us through the upgrades you need instead of wasting money on the upgrades you want.

In this casual and informative chat sponsored by Trails Offroad, Jason teams up with podcast host Wade May to dish out the best tips for modifying your vehicle with utility and purpose in mind. Jason asks you to be honest with how you intend to use your rig, and start building from that vantage point. From rooftop tents to camp cookware, Jason points out the gear worth the investment and the gear that’s not. Do you really need those giant tires and a light bar, or are these additions actually detrimental to your overall adventure goals?

“I don’t want to turn people away from the passion to buy stuff, because we do live in a consumer-driven economy. but you know, really think about what you need before you do it,” Jason says on the podcast.

Jason’s sound advice includes fun tidbits on his favorite driving music, the cheapest and tastiest camp dinner, and the sketchiest route he pulled a trailer over. Learn more about Jason and Mountain State Overland on Instagram, YouTube, and on the web.

Last Episode: Get a Complete Trip Report on the Classic Rimrocker Trail from Trails Offroad

A view of a gravel road on the Rimrocker Trail in Colorado and Utah with blue sky and mountains in the background.

If you want to see high desert mesas, alpine forests, and Moab’s copper-colored canyons all in the span of a single weekend, put the Rimrocker Trail on the top of your to-do list. This patchwork of 4×4 roads weaves across 160 miles of diverse terrain, offering five-star campsites, forever views, and a route that almost any 4WD vehicle can travel — no special equipment or modifications necessary.

If this sounds like medicine for your soul, then go back to Episode 3 and get the complete trip report from John Lumia, co-owner of Trails Offroad. John recently mapped this southwestern classic and he spills all the trail’s secrets. Learn about the best time to go, trail ratings, and things to see along the way. You’ll get all the details you need to make a successful run on the Rimrocker — even if it’s your first time overlanding.

You can get John’s complete Rimrocker Trail Report on Trails Offroad. Click the button below to snag a discount on a Trails Offroad membership. Once you have a membership, you’ll be able to send all your Trails Offroad routes to your Gaia GPS account with a single click of a button.

Meet the Host of the Gaia GPS Offroad Podcast: Wade May

After a 43-year career of flying Air Force fighter jets and commercial airline jets, Gaia GPS Offroad podcast host Wade May has put his feet firmly on the ground. With over 20 years of offroading and overlanding experience, Wade constantly seeks out the serenity of remote backcountry adventures in his trusty 4-Runner, “Bullit.“ Between extended solo overland adventures, Wade shares the lessons learned from his broad experience in the sky and on the trail in overland workshops, classrooms, writings, and, of course, while hosting the Gaia GPS Offroad podcast.

September 2, 2021

Gaia GPS Out and Back Podcast

Overcoming Backpacking Fears with She Dreams of Alpine

by Abby Levene August 26, 2021

written by Abby Levene

 How to listen: iTunes | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Pocket Casts |  RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox

Newbie and seasoned backpackers alike all hold fears around backcountry travel. Outdoor Backpacking Educator and Empowerment Coach Allison Boyle shares how to overcome them this week on the Out and Back podcast. Allison is the face behind the ultra-popular blog and coaching service She Dreams of Alpine, which teaches women how to become safe, confident, and self-sufficient in the backcountry.

In this fun and informative conversation, Allison tells hosts Mary and Abby how a city girl from Houston, Texas ended up becoming a backpacking expert. It certainly didn’t happen overnight. Allison shares her stumbling blocks when she started adventuring outside, and how her fears initially continued to grow as she gained more experience. She talks about the top three fears beginner backpackers face, and how to overcome them.

“We’re scared of what we don’t know,” Allison says on Out and Back. “Things we do in our everyday life, like drive or walk down a busy city street, are more dangerous than anything we would do in the outdoors. It’s just, they’re more familiar to us and we’re able to step into those scenarios more. And if you’re a new backpacker, you can’t imagine yourself in the outdoors at all. Once you start building those experiences for yourself, those fears start to go away.”

Alison explains “trip resistance,” that dark cloud of anxiety that seems to float over your head the week before any trip — no matter your experience level. Learn how to quiet that inner voice telling you to abandon your plans, so you can get out and have a blast on the trail. Tune in to learn Allison’s favorite breakfast foods in the backcountry, the one item she can’t leave behind, and how she turned her outdoor passion into a career.

Allison smiles on the trail while holding her hiking poles over her head.

Next Episode: UFOs with Ultralight Expert Mike Clelland

Yes, you read that correctly. In the next very special episode of Out and Back, author, ultralight backpacking expert, and UFO historian Mike Clelland dives into the mysterious world of alien abductions.

Mike is a masterful storyteller and will leave you clutching your seat (or trekking poles) as he shares his first-hand encounters with extraterrestrial life. He tells the story of how an owl gave him a message on a mountaintop, leading to his fascination with UFOs. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, you’ll want to tune in to hear what Mike has to say about the natural and supernatural worlds.

In the meantime, check out Mike’s book The Messengers, which dives into the overlapping worlds of owls, synchronicities, and UFO abduction. His companion book Stories from The Messengers goes further into the symbolic and literal links between owls and UFOs. Mike is also the illustrator and author behind a series of books on mastering outdoor techniques. And finally, check out Mike’s longstanding blog, Hidden Experience, and his podcast, The Unseen with Mike Clelland.

Last Episode: Life With Fire

Amanda smiles for the camera in a hardhat.

As wildfires derail recreation plans across the West, former wildland firefighter Amanda Monthei makes sense of this new “normal.” Tune in to the last episode of Out and Back to get a behind-the-scenes view on what it’s like to fight fire, and how we can manage wildfires going forward.

“You can’t just exist superficially within the landscape,” Amanda says on Out and Back. “You have to be an active member of it. We’ve been suppressing fire for too long. We need to like recognize that fire very much belongs in these places.”

Amanda unearths why wildfires remain vital for ecosystem health, and how humans misunderstand this life force. She gets into the history of wildfire management in the U.S. and how we’ve primed conditions for fires of unprecedented scope. Amanda dives into what we can learn from indigenous fire management practices, and how we can better coexist with fire going forward.

Follow Amanda on Instagram, and check out her brilliant podcast on all things fire, Life with Fire.

August 26, 2021

Gaia GPS New Maps

Deepen Your Land Knowledge with the Native Land Territories Map

by Julien Friedland August 25, 2021

written by Julien Friedland

Learn more about the land you live and recreate on with the Native Land Territories map, available for free in the Gaia GPS app and web map. This map, created by the Canadian non-profit Native Land Digital , marks traditional Indigenous territories across the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, and, increasingly, worldwide. Dig into the past, present, and future of Indigenous territories while you’re planning a trip to a new area or adventuring near your backyard.

Many outdoor recreation areas, including national parks and wilderness areas, exist on lands where Indigenous tribes were forcefully removed. The Native Land Territories map provides a starting point for deepening understanding of those Indigenous nations’ people, history, and culture. When you’re out on a hike, tap a location on the map to see the nation’s name. Tap the information button for a link to see more about that nation.

The additional information page enables you to contact the Indigenous nation and access information about their language, history, and land. The marked territories do not represent or intend to represent any Indigenous nation’s official or legal boundaries. They serve as a visual representation and educational tool to begin engaging with the complex history of Indigenous nations around the world.

Citing Land Acknowledgements

Use the Native Land Territories map to research and cite land acknowledgments, which pay homage to the past and present occupants of the land. Native Lands Digital and the Native Governance Center explain why and how you can make a land acknowledgment. To find out how to use the Native Land Territories map and deepen your knowledge even further, read Native Land Digital’s Teachers Guide. Please note that perspectives around land acknowledgements vary and do not replace for meaningful education and action.

How to Access the Native Land Territories Map

This map is available for all Gaia GPS users for free in the iOS and Android app and on gaiagps.com. To access Native Land Territories offline, get a Gaia GPS premium membership, and download the map before you head out. Please note that this map is a work in progress with contributions from the community. You can contribute by sending any errors you find to native-lands.ca via this contribution form.

Click Here to View the Native Land Territories Map

August 25, 2021

A screenshot of the Gaia GPS topo map showing the west Coast of the US has the region of Washington state highlighted.

Gaia GPS How-To New Features

How to Download an Entire State Map with Gaia Topo

by Mary Cochenour August 19, 2021

written by Mary Cochenour

Have you ever grabbed your backpack and rushed out the door only to find out at the trailhead that you forgot to download your digital maps to your phone? When this unfortunate event happens, digital maps in the app appear fuzzy and out-of-focus as soon as you leave cell service. We have a solution for you: Gaia Topo.

Recently redesigned, Gaia Topo lets you download huge swaths of land in a matter of minutes and without hogging up your phone’s precious storage space. Download an enormous wilderness area, a sprawling national park, or even your entire state — yes, the whole state — and never be caught without a downloaded topographic map again. Here’s how.

How to Download Gaia Topo for Offline Use

Downloading maps to your phone in Gaia GPS is easy and intuitive. Follow these steps to download your entire state, a park, or a wilderness area with Gaia Topo.

Membership. Make sure you have a Premium Membership to Gaia GPS to download maps. Gaia Topo is free to use. However, downloading maps for offline use requires a Premium Membership.
Select Gaia Topo as your map source. Open the Gaia GPS app. While viewing the map in the iOS or Android Gaia GPS app, click the Layers button at the upper right. Make sure to select Gaia Topo. Deselect all other maps sources for optimum download speed and size.
Navigate to the area you want to download. You can simply pan the map by swiping or you can search points of interest or trails using the magnifying glass search icon. Simply type in a point of interest in the area you want to download, such as a peak, a lake, or a city, and select one of the suggested locations to direct the map to the area.
Tap the “+” button. Tap the “+” button at the top of the screen and select “Download Maps”.
Select the area to download. After selecting “Download Maps,” you will be directed to the map, where you will see a red rectangle with blue dots at the corners. The area shaded by the red rectangle signifies what will be downloaded. Drag the blue dots at the corners of the red rectangle to make the area larger or smaller.
Download a state, national park, or wilderness area. You can create one large box that covers the entire state or piece together multiple downloads to be more precise if the area you are downloading is not a perfect rectangle. The latter approach helps keep file sizes smaller and download times quicker, but it does mean you’ll have to repeat steps 2 through 6 until you’ve downloaded the entire area to your satisfaction. Don’t worry about overlapping the red rectangles—Gaia GPS will not download both areas after you’ve already downloaded one.
Adjust the Max Zoom slide bar. To adjust the detail level for the map download. The higher the zoom (1:12,000), the more detail the map will have but also the larger the file will be. If you’re running out of room on your phone, reduce the zoom (1:1536000) to make a smaller file size. Learn more about zoom levels here.
Tap Save. Tap “Save” at the lower right side of your screen. A screen will pop up giving you the option to name your map and save it in a particular folder. Press “Save” again, this time in the upper righthand corner of the screen. The download begins, at which point the app goes back to the main map. To watch the progress of your download, tap on the Download Status spinning wheel icon towards the upper left of the main map in the iOS app. In the Android app, tap the Saved icon, then select Downloads from the menu.

Gaia Topo: Quick and Tiny to Download

Downloading maps is crucial to your adventure game because it lets you view maps and navigate in areas without cell service. Traditionally, downloading large areas of the map soaked up a lot of time and phone storage. But the completely retooled Gaia Topo takes the sting out of this process.

Hand curated and optimized for efficient downloads, Gaia Topo delivers minuscule download times and file sizes all while improving its style and detail. The chart below gives examples of download times and file sizes for large areas of the map. Of course, downloads speeds may vary depending on the size of the area downloaded, the zoom level selected, and internet speed.

A screenshot shoes download size and speeds for various states.

Create Snap-to-Trail Routes from Anywhere

An added bonus of downloading the map for your entire state: you can now create snap-to-trail routes in areas without cell service. When you create a route in the field, snap-to-trail automatically follows the contours of the trail for you. This gives you the most accurate distance and elevation metrics available and builds your route quickly and precisely. Enjoy this seamless route planning tool with your Android and iOS devices, from anywhere at any time. No wifi or cell service needed.

If you’ve already downloaded the map for your entire state but would like to access snap-to-trail route planning offline, you will need to redownload the map. Here’s how to do so:

Delete the map from your Gaia GPS account.
Select the area you would like to download.
Make sure “Include data to create and navigate routes offline” is toggled ON.
Download your map, and you are good to go!

Ready for an Adventure Offline

Once Gaia Topo is downloaded, you will able to access the map even when your phone is completely offline and in airplane mode so you can locate yourself on the map, create routes, create and edit waypoints to mark important spots like campsites and water sources, and record tracks and follow them back.

Gaia Topo is free to use on gaiagps.com and on your mobile device through the Gaia GPS app. The free version allows you to view the map, plan a route, and search for trails all while connected to the internet. However, you will need a Gaia GPS membership to be able to download maps for offline use.

Try a Gaia GPS Premium Membership to tap into a limited number of maps within the Gaia GPS catalog. The Premium Membership unlocks the entire Gaia GPS map catalog, allowing you to layer and download multiple maps sources at one time. View the maps together to get a complete picture of the terrain you will encounter on your next adventure.

August 19, 2021

Gaia GPS Gaia GPS Offroad Podcast Offroading

Get the Complete Rimrocker Trail Report from John Lumia of Trails Offroad

by Mary Cochenour August 18, 2021

written by Mary Cochenour

If this sounds like medicine for your soul, then don’t miss episode 3 of the Gaia GPS Offroad podcast for a complete trail report from John Lumia, co-owner of Trails Offroad. John recently mapped this southwestern classic and he spills all the trail’s secrets. Learn about the best time to go, trail ratings, and things to see along the way. You’ll get all the details you need to make a successful run on the Rimrocker — even if it’s your first time overlanding.

“It has really some of the best scenery that the southwestern Colorado high desert has to offer,” John says on the podcast. “If you’re trying to get into overlanding, which I classify as basically multi-day car camping, this one is a really good option for that.”

In addition to all the trail information, John explains how he became co-owner of Trails Offroad — a friendly vehicle-based, adventure travel website that offers written trail guides, GPX tracks, and ratings on more than 2,600 offroad routes in North America. Also, if you love arguing over Toyota versus Jeep, or rather, Jeep versus Toyota, tune in to hear why John owns both a Tacoma and a Wrangler while his fiancee remains a die-hard 4Runner fan.

Next Episode: Mountain State Overland

Jason Specht’s built-out Toyota Tacoma was totaled in a rear-ender on the freeway. He replaced it with a stock Tacoma straight off the sales lot and outfitted the truck just the way he wanted it. Tune in next time for a deep dive on how Jason of Mountain State Overland built a rig specifically for his needs. Learn how to decide what upgrades you should choose, where to spend your money, and where to hold back. Warning: Jason asks you to have an honest talk with yourself about what kind of trails you run. Do you really need that snorkel?

Catch up with Jason’s outfit Mountain State Overland on Instagram, YouTube, and on the web. And subscribe to the Gaia GPS Offroad podcast wherever you listen so you never have to worry about missing the next episode.

Last Episode: Pan American Highway with Dirt Sunrise

Tim and Kelsey Huber of Dirt Sunrise Adventures quit their jobs a few years ago and sold almost everything they own to pursue overland travel on a full-time basis. Their first major adventure took them to South America on the Pan-American Trail. After two years plus on the road, Dirt Sunrise is back in the states and ready to talk about their adventures abroad.

Go back and catch Episode 2 of the Gaia GPS Offroad podcast for a fun chat with Tim and Kelsey about gaining the confidence to explore across borders. Learn what’s in their vehicle recovery kit and what methods they rely on to keep people on track when you have too many cooks in the kitchen on a rescue mission. Plus, you’ll get the inside scoop on their dream vehicle that they are building now.

Learn more about Dirt Sunrise at their website, follow them on Instagram, and subscribe to the Dirt Sunrise Youtube channel to virtually join them on all their offroad adventures.

Meet the Gaia GPS Offroad Podcast Host: Wade May

August 18, 2021

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