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Author

Corey Buhay

Corey Buhay

Gaia GPSHow-To

How to See the Perseids Meteor Shower

by Corey Buhay August 10, 2021
written by Corey Buhay

The Perseids meteor shower happens every August, and in 2021 the meteor shower will peak on August 11 and 12. The moon will appear as a crescent this year, making the sky perfectly dark for viewing the brilliant meteors. The Perseids shower 50-75 meteors an hour.

Whether you’re looking for a romantic date night, an opportunity to really wow a first-time camper, or a quiet night to yourself, the Perseids are not to be missed. Here are some tips to see the meteor shower at its best.

1) Find dark skies using a light pollution map.
The full moon isn’t the only thing that can outshine the Perseids’ glow. Get as far as you can from artificial light to ensure dark skies and better viewing. Try using the Light Pollution overlay in Gaia GPS to find campsites unaffected by city lights.

Light pollution overlay map in Gaia GPS on an ipad
Use the Light Pollution Overlay to find dark skies for better views of the Perseids meteor shower.

2) Look for the Perseids meteor shower during a new moon or a crescent moon
The Perseids are usually active from mid-July through August, with a peak in early August. This year, the best time to see them is during the peak on August 11 and 12 where the meteors will likely outshine the light of the quarter moon.

3) Check the weather before you go.
Dark skies are great, but they don’t mean much if there’s cloud cover. Check the weather before you pick a meteor shower viewing spot. One good option: this 24-Hour Weather Forecast map overlay, which uses data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.

4) Also check the air pollution and smoke forecast to ensure clear skies.
Overhead haze can impede your view of distant stars just like any other weather phenomenon. Check the Air Quality Forecast overlays in Gaia GPS to make sure you’re headed to a site with crystal-clear air, unaffected by smog or other pollutants.

It’s also smart to keep smoke on your radar this time of year. Check the Smoke Forecast overlays and also scan for nearby wildfires using the Current Wildfires map overlay.

Air Quality Forecast map in Gaia GPS on an ipad.
Find the clearest skies near you using the Air Quality Forecast map.

6) Get to higher elevation if you can.
If you’re close to the mountains, head uphill. Air tends to be clearer at higher elevations. Finding a trail or campsite high up on a hill or bald can also be a good way to escape obscuring tree cover.

5) Stay up later.
The best time to see the Perseids meteor shower is between 11pm and 4am, when skies are darkest. If you need to brew a cup of after-dinner coffee to hold out for the good stuff, so be it.

6) Keep your eyes about 45 degrees above the horizon
Don’t miss all the action by looking at the wrong part of the sky. Meteors are brightest when they’re overhead (as opposed to at the horizon) since that’s when they’re closest to the earth. Direct your gaze such that it makes a line about 45 degrees from the surface of the earth. We recommend packing a camp chair or a picnic blanket to lie on.

bright meteors streaking across a starry night sky
The Perseids meteor shower is not to be missed.

7) Let your eyes adapt to the dark before peak viewing hours.
It can take your eyes 30 minutes to an hour to fully adjust to the dark. Turn off all headlamps, and extinguish all campfires at least an hour before the peak viewing window starts. That means lights out around 10pm.

8) Be patient.
Remember, the Perseids meteor shower doesn’t happen all at once. Instead, it’s like a steady, peaceful trickle of shooting stars. Settle in, get comfortable, and enjoy the show.

August 10, 2021
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Man looking at a map in Gaia GPS on his phone
Gaia GPSHow-ToNewsletter

How Learning Navigation Skills Can Make you More Confident Outdoors

by Corey Buhay July 8, 2021
written by Corey Buhay

Forget learning how to start a fire or tie a bowline knot: The first step to feeling more confident outdoors is learning how to read a map.

When most of your outings are with a group, a designated trip leader, or your significant other, it’s easy to fall into step and let someone else take the lead on navigation. That can be great when you’re just starting out. But after a while, you might start to feel left out of some of the decision-making, or like you wouldn’t know what to do or where to go in case of an emergency. Self-doubt can creep in.

That lack of confidence can keep you from really getting the most out of your experiences outdoors. In time, it can hold you back from planning your own trips, or chiming in when you have an opinion about what direction the trip should take.

Next time you go out, take a deep breath, step forward, and ask to be the one to hold the map. It can be scary, but taking that one step will benefit you for the rest of your life. Trust me.

Learning outdoor navigation skills is the secret to unlocking all the empowering benefits hiking and backpacking have to offer, and to being more confident outdoors

Case Study: What Happens When a Beginner Takes the Lead

When I started backpacking, my biggest goal was to go unnoticed.

My first real trip was a short weekend loop in Grayson Highlands State Park, Virginia, with a couple of friends from my college chemistry class. I loved every minute of it—the sunshine, the stars, the wild ponies roaming the hills—but I spent most of the weekend my head down. I was too focused on keeping up with the boys to absorb much knowledge. Sure, I was in good shape, but they had more experience and sleeker gear. I felt out of my element.

That weekend, I learned about white-gas stoves, but I let someone else light them. I learned about topo lines, but definitely didn’t volunteer to try reading them. I didn’t want my friends to realize how little I knew. And I didn’t want to fail in front of all the people I looked up to. It took me a full year of backpacking—about a dozen more trips—before I realized that I didn’t know how to light a fire, and I’d never been the one holding the map.

Then one day our group’s usual leader bowed out of a trip. I found myself as the next-most experienced member. Suddenly, everyone was looking to me.

Leading the way across a chilly stream crossing in Shenandoah National Park. Photo courtesy of Lila Fleishman.

I spent a night poring over the maps, figuring out where the water sources and campsites were. And then, when we started hiking, I felt that everything had changed. For once wasn’t terrified of falling behind, because if I did, I’d know exactly where I was.

When bad weather started to roll in, I wasn’t worried. The map showed me where to find intermediate campsites in case we had to stop early. I knew whether the next road crossing would make a good bailout point, and whether I had enough water to skip a fill-up.

This time, I wasn’t hiking with my head down. I didn’t have time to worry about keeping up: I was too busy looking for mile markers and signposts, and the next good view.

The author and friends watch the sunset from an overlook in Shenandoah. Photo courtesy of Lila Fleishman.

Why You Should Be the One Holding the Map

1) Your input matters.

For safety reasons, it’s advisable for all members of the group—regardless of experience level—to know the plan. That way everyone can provide input and voice concerns equally. Putting too much trust in one person’s expertise—a phenomenon known as the “expert halo”—can be just as dangerous as putting a total beginner in charge. Never underestimate your own instincts.

2) Emergencies happen.

If the trip leader gets sick or injured, it might fall to you to find a way out. The best way to get a firm grasp of where you are and where you’re going is to take a turn with the map or GPS. There’s no better way to learn than by doing.

3) The outdoor world needs more kinds of leaders.

Outdoor leaders come in all shapes and sizes, but historically, in mixed-gender groups, the more experienced hiker or backpacker is often male. In mixed-ethnicity groups, that leader is often white.

If you’re a woman or another person from an underrepresented background, we need you. One way to fight the outdoors gender gap or diversity gap, get more diverse people educating diverse people, and make sure those around you are gaining the confidence they need, is to take the lead yourself. Step up and learn how to navigate, and you’ll be able to start planning your own trips and mentor others in the outdoors.

An all-ladies backpacking trip the author helped plan shortly after her successful trip to Shenandoah. Photo courtesy of Panayiota Boutis.

Navigation Tips for Beginner Backpackers

Navigation is the one skill every backpacker should know. It puts you in charge of your itinerary, and improves your peace of mind. Plus, it gives you confidence that you’ll always be able to find what you need—and find your way home.

1) Learn how to read a topo map and use a compass.

Ask someone you know to teach you. You can learn a lot online, but there’s no substitute for hands-on instruction. It can be helpful to ask your friend for a one-on-one lesson on a day hike so you don’t feel rushed or put on the spot.

Another good alternative is to look for a class near you. Gear shops, local outdoors clubs, and guiding services often offer inexpensive navigation classes.

2) Download a GPS navigation app.

Using a map and compass is a must-have skill, and it’s always smart to bring them as backup and know how to use them.

However, modern GPS technology, which you can find in your smartphone, can show you your exact location on a digital map. Even better: GPS navigation apps like Gaia GPS work even when you’re offline and out of service. They’re a great resource to have for everyday navigation. They can also be invaluable for finding your way in emergencies.

3) Plan your next trip.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a day hike or a week-long backpacking trip: You should be the one to plan it. Do some research, find a trail you’re excited about, and sit down to plan your route. Take charge of the whole trip, from your driveway, to the trailhead, and back again. You might mess up, but as long as you take proper safety precautions and an experienced buddy, it’s okay.

It’s okay to miss a turn, or get flustered, or take a really long time to decipher the map. Taking ownership of a trip is invaluable, both for your confidence and your skill development. And you’ll learn way more from trying and failing than from never trying at all.


July 8, 2021
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FeaturedGaia GPSNew Maps

Quickly Find Campgrounds and Trails with the USFS Recreation Sites Map

by Corey Buhay May 17, 2021
written by Corey Buhay

Plan trips faster with the USFS Recreation Sites overlay in Gaia GPS. This map layer clearly marks U.S. Forest Service campgrounds, trailheads, visitor centers, and other points of interest at high zoom levels, letting you view your options across an entire national forest. You can tap on a site to learn about fees, access restrictions, and more.

The USFS Recreation Sites layer receives constant updates as the USFS adds more sites to the dataset. The clear, intuitive icons stand out on just about any base map and scale as you zoom. So whether you’re trying to pinpoint a trailhead within a densely vegetated satellite image, or looking for campsites during the first stages of trip planning, this layer will help speed up your search.

National Forests Lands: Your Best Bet for Dispersed Camping

The U.S. Forest Service manages around 193 million acres of the United States as national forests and grasslands. These areas serve a wide-reaching mission statement, which encompasses conservation and research, as well as multiple-use recreation. That makes USFS land ideal for hiking, camping, trail running, skiing, and climbing, as well as fishing, hunting, and motorized vehicle use.

Dispersed camping is more likely to be permitted on USFS land than in other, more stringently protected areas. And unlike most national parks, national forests and grasslands are typically pet-friendly.

How to Use the USFS Recreation Sites Layer

The USFS Recreation Sites Layer is available with a Premium Membership across all platforms: iOS, Android, and on gaiagps.com. Add the USFS Recreation Site map by tapping the layers icon. Scroll down and select “Feature/Weather Overlays.” Select the “USFS Recreation Sites” map and tap the “Add” button.

Use the USFS Recreation Sites overlay in conjunction with the USFS Visitor map. The USFS Recreation Sites layer is more up-to-date. However, it’s a work in progress, so there may be some sites currently visible on USFS Visitor map that aren’t yet available on the USFS Recreation Sites overlay.

USFS Recreation Sites and USFS Roads and USFS Roads and Trails make another great pairing. The combination gives you a complete look at Forest Service infrastructure that you can overlay on top of any base map.

The USFS Recreation Sites overlay, paired with the USFS Roads and Trails overlay and the Satellite base map.
May 17, 2021
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Backcountry SkiingGaia GPSHow-To

Winter Hiking Safety Guide: How to Stay Warm and Plan Ahead

by Corey Buhay February 4, 2021
written by Corey Buhay

Winter hiking offers the ability to test out new skills, push your physical limits, and experience a landscape transformed by either snow or an open tree canopy. Plus, in many places you will have the trails all to yourself, making winter one of the best times to seek solitude in nature.

However, the same things that make winter hiking special also introduce unique considerations for preparedness and safety: colder temperatures, empty trails, and shorter days reduce your margins for error. Snow can also impair visibility and obscure navigational handrails.

In this article, you’ll learn how to pack for winter excursions, what hazards to expect, how to stay fueled and hydrated in the cold, and how to navigate in snowy conditions. This guide also includes tips for diagnosing and treating cold-related illness and injury in case of an emergency.

Included in this guide:

  1. Hazards of hiking in winter terrain
  2. Fuel and hydration for hiking in cold weather
  3. Navigation in winter conditions
  4. Essential winter hiking gear
  5. Winter first aid

Hazards of Hiking in Winter Terrain

Anu stands in a snowfield with jagged peaks in the background. He's holding hiking poles and carrying a big backpack.

Winter can radically alter a landscape, giving it both otherworldly beauty and unique dangers. Here are a few to be aware of before you set out.

Ice

In the winter, melt-freeze cycles can turn trails into slick ribbons of ice. Similar conditions can result when snow on popular routes becomes compressed over time. Slips on icy trails usually only result in bumps and bruises, but a bad fall can cause more serious back, ankle, or wrist injuries. Pack traction (see “Essential Winter Hiking Gear,” below) and metal-tipped trekking poles for extra stability in icy conditions.

Tree Wells

Skiers, snowboarders, and snowshoers can all fall victim to tree wells, which are pits of deep, unconsolidated snow that form around tree trunks. The danger occurs when skiers or riders skim too close to the edge of the pit, which is often obscured by evergreen boughs, and fall in head-first. Experts estimate that 90 percent of tree well victims are unable to escape the soft, deep snow on their own—one reason why solo tree-well victims often succumb to suffocation. Avoid traveling alone in snowy, forested terrain, especially just after a snowstorm. Stay in sight of your partner and be ready to call for help and excavate them if a fall should occur.

Avalanches

An avalanche is a mass of snow moving down a slope. In the US, avalanches kill 25-30 people and injure many more each winter. Most victims of avalanches are backcountry skiers and snowboarders, snowmobilers, and ice climbers, but oblivious hikers occasionally get caught in slides, as well. Avalanches can occur above and below treeline. About 95% of avalanches start on slopes that are 30 – 45 degrees in steepness, but the snow can travel all the way into flat terrain that appears safe to the untrained eye. Before you head out, consult trip reports, topo maps, and local experts to make sure your hike won’t take you into avalanche terrain. You can view your local avalanche report, another invaluable resource, at www.avalanche.org. If you’re a skier, check out this comprehensive guide to planning a backcountry ski tour and avoiding avalanche terrain.

Steep Snow

The adventure and challenge of kicking steps into steep, snow-covered slopes makes snow climbing appealing for many. However, it’s often more technical than it looks, since slipping on a steep slope can send you sliding for hundreds of feet. Make sure you know how to assess snow conditions, use crampons, and self-arrest a fall with an ice axe.

Many snow climbs also cross avalanche terrain, so if you’re bagging winter summits—make sure you’re familiar with avalanche safety first.

Glaciers

Glaciers guard many of the U.S.‘s most iconic summits. While there are many permanent snowfields throughout the West (some of which are misnamed as glaciers), for the most part, true glaciers only exist in the far north and in the Pacific Northwest. These active glaciers move and form cracks over time, and these fissures (called crevasses) can be hidden under snow, making unexpected, fatal falls a possibility. Don’t venture across glaciated terrain unless you’re experienced with snow travel and glacier navigation. This includes brushing up on your crevasse-rescue skills.

Fuel and Hydration for Hiking in Cold Weather

coffee cup, backpack, snowshoe and bench on snow

Harsh conditions can a toll on your body, and cold weather can affect your natural hunger and thirst signals. Having a strategy for fueling and hydrating is vital to a successful winter hike.

Eating to Stay Warm

Fighting your way through snow, using ski poles, and wearing heavy clothing can all cause you to burn more calories in winter than in summer. Consume plenty of fats and carbohydrates during the day to keep your energy levels up. Bonus: All that food also serves as fuel for your internal furnace. The more you snack, the warmer you’ll be.

Keep in mind that in very cold temperatures, you’ll need snacks that don’t freeze solid. (Below freezing, Snickers bars and many protein bars are tooth-breakers.) Some great options:

  • nuts or trail mix
  • beef jerky
  • dehydrated drink powders
  • milk chocolate
  • chips or pretzels
  • deli meat and cheese
  • crackers or tortillas
  • peanut butter sandwiches
  • slices of pizza
  • banana or pumpkin bread

Staying Hydrated in Winter Weather

The other secret to staying warm is staying hydrated. Drinking water thins your blood, allowing it to reach further into the capillaries that extend into your fingers and toes. Unfortunately, breathing cold, dry air can leave you dehydrated, and cold temperatures reduce your body’s perception of thirst.

The amount of water you should consume varies dramatically based on things like activity level, personal sweat rate, altitude, and how cold/dry the air is. For that reason, experts warn against offering set hydration recommendations due to fears of people forcing liquids and therefore succumbing to hyponatremia. They instead recommend hikers to drink when they’re thirsty (even though that’s compromised in winter), and/or to drink consistently at breaks.

Consider bringing hot tea or cocoa in a thermos and sipping whenever you take breaks.

Keep Your Drinks From Freezing

Wide-mouth water bottles like Nalgenes are more resistant to freezing than narrower bottles or bladders, which have more surface area exposed to the cold. If your bottle is uninsulated, fill it with warm water and store it in your pack upside-down. That will ensure that any ice forms at the bottom of the bottle rather than freezing the lid shut. You can also add some DIY insulation: cut a strip of foam from an old sleeping pad and duct-tape it around the bottle.

Navigation in Winter Conditions

hikers in a blizzard with low visibility

Most of the time, navigating in winter is harder than navigating in summer. Snow can obscure landmarks, terrain features, and even the trail. Fog and blowing snow can also snuff out visibility, making it impossible to orient yourself.

Before setting out on a snowy hike, brush up on your foundational navigation skills first. Then, download a navigation app like Gaia GPS. Use it to plot your route, set waypoints to mark the parking area or any campsites, and download topo maps for offline use. That way, if snow or fog rolls in over the trail, you’ll still be able to follow your route and get an idea of the terrain ahead.

If you decide to hike in snowy, foggy, or unpredictable weather, always record a track. That way you’ll be able to retrace your steps, even in zero visibility.

Weather and Conditions Overlays to Help you Prepare

These top-recommended map sources will take your trip planning and preparedness to the next level.

Snow Depth Overlay

Snow depth overlay over Salt Lake City

Check the approximate depth of the existing snowpack to make educated decisions about necessary gear and preparation.

24-, 48-, and 72-hour NOAA Snowfall Forecast overlays

Snowfall 24-hour forecast over Seattle

Keep an eye on upcoming snowfall to help inform your gear choices and to predict the likelihood of avalanche and tree well hazards.

24-, 48-, and 72-hour NOAA Precipitation overlays

24-hour Precipitation Overlay over Mt Hood National Forest

Use rainfall forecasts in conjunction with temperature forecasts to predict icy conditions and to pack the right layers. Rain can also be a factor in avalanche likelihood.

Slope-angle shading overlay

Avalanche-savvy skiers and riders can use the slope-angle shading overlay to help inform their analysis of avalanche terrain.

Base Maps for Winter Travel

ESRI World Satellite imagery

Satellite imagery over Half Dome in Yosemite National Park

Get an idea of expected tree cover and other landscape features with advanced satellite imagery.

Gaia Topo

Gaia Topo over Yosemite Valley

Stay on-trail even when it’s under snow with Gaia GPS’s proprietary worldwide topo map. Gaia Topo also includes labeled backcountry huts and ski runs in many areas.

Essential Winter Hiking Gear

hiker traversing snow ridgeline on a sunny day

As the saying goes, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong gear. You can stay warm, dry, and comfortable in any weather—even heavy snow and strong winds—if you’ve packed the right equipment.

Winter Hiking Apparel

A proper layering technique is at the crux of ensuring a comfortable winter hike. Opt for wool and synthetics, which dry more quickly and retain some warmth even when wet, over cotton, which can sap heat from your body when damp. Make sure you have plenty of moisture-wicking and waterproof layers to choose from in case of temperature swings. Remember to remove layers before you start sweating (damp clothing will leave you feeling clammy and chilled) and add layers to trap heat when you stop for breaks. It’s easier to stay warm than to get warm.

You can find more information and best practices on how to layer for winter hiking in this in-depth article.

If you’re expecting icy, snowy, or wet conditions, make sure you have shoes with built-in waterproof liners (often Gore-Tex). Boots are better than low-tops in snow. If there are more than a few inches of accumulation, add gaiters to keep it from getting into your boots. Also, be sure to pack a hat and gloves.

Flotation for Snow Travel

For loose, unconsolidated snow that’s more than several inches deep, consider snowshoes, or nordic—they’ll help you float on top of the snow rather than sinking in. While sinking knee-deep into snow (known as “postholing”) is a great workout, it will leave you sweaty and exhausted, reducing the mileage you can cover. Plus, being dehydrated, damp, and low on calories can leave you a candidate for hypothermia.

Traction for Winter Conditions

If you expect packed snow or icy conditions, bring some form of traction to prevent slips. Often, it’s smart to bring both traction and flotation, as snow conditions can change drastically throughout a hike as tree cover and wind activity change.

For packed snow or less challenging terrain (think flat trails or rolling hills), you can often get by with chains or spikes that bungee over your shoes. These are available at most outdoor stores.

Additional Winter Hiking Essentials

Whenever you need traction or flotation, you’ll also need ski poles. (Hiking poles will work for bare or icy ground, but not for snow; the baskets on ski poles keep them from sinking in so far that they become unusable.) The poles will help you propel yourself up hills and stay balanced on slick or uneven ground. Goggles or wrap-around sunglasses can also be smart to protect against wind or blowing snow.

Tools For Advanced Winter Travel

An ice axe and crampons can assist you in exploring steep and icy terrain. It’s best to take a snow-travel clinic with a local guide service to learn how to use an ice axe and crampons. A guide will be able to help you practice these skills in a safe environment until they become second nature.

Backcountry skis are an efficient way to travel longer distances in unpacked snow.

Mountaineering, ice climbing, and backcountry skiing often involve exposure to avalanche terrain. We recommend avalanche safety courses as part of your training for these activities. Learn more here on the Education page at Avalanche.org.

Winter First Aid

Jagged, snowy mountain peaks with tent in foreground

Wilderness first-aid is a complex topic, and it’s best administered with complete knowledge from a trusted source. Before you head out on your next big trip, consider taking a hands-on wilderness first aid class, many of which can be completed in just a weekend. The education could save your life.

Here’s a list of reputable course providers:

  • REI
  • NOLS
  • SOLO Schools
  • Wilderness Medical Associates

These courses will teach you more about cold-related injury and illness, but here’s a refresher of some of the most common winter medical emergencies:

Hypothermia

Prevention
Hypothermia occurs when your internal body temperature dips below 95°F. While it’s more common in sub-freezing temperatures, it can also occur in temperatures as warm as 50°F if your clothes are damp and there’s a bit of wind. The bottom line: Always bring plenty of layers, including a windproof and/or waterproof layer, when you head outdoors. Do everything you can to keep those layers dry.

Symptoms
Some of the signs of mild hypothermia include:

  • shivering
  • rapid breathing
  • fatigue
  • impaired speech or coordination.

More serious hypothermia can cause additional symptoms:

  • severe confusion
  • extreme drowsiness
  • low or irregular heartbeat
  • cessation of shivering without any significant warming

Treatment
If you or your hiking partner starts to exhibit symptoms, stop and treat the condition right away.

  1. Put up a tent or find another shelter.
  2. Remove any wet clothing from the affected person, and have him or her layer up with all the spare dry clothing you have.
  3. Have the person sit or lay on a sleeping pad, and wrap him or her in a tarp or sleeping bag. Skin-to-skin contact can also be useful in rewarming.
  4. Give the patient sugary snacks and plenty of fluids (heat warm water or make tea or cocoa if you can). Don’t venture back out until the person is completely warm.
  5. If he or she doesn’t start to warm up, is exhibiting signs of moderate to severe hypothermia, or isn’t able to take in food or water, call for rescue.

Frostbite

Prevention
Frostbite—and its precursor, frostnip—most often affects the fingers, toes, ears, nose, and other extremities left exposed to the cold. Prevent frostbite by keeping your hands and feet warm and dry, and ensuring good circulation by wearing properly fitting boots and gloves. Always pack a hat and extra gloves, and wear a scarf or balaclava in very cold temperatures.

Symptoms
Signs of frostnip include:

  • excessive redness or paleness
  • numbness
  • a tingling or burning sensation

When the lack of blood flow has gotten more advanced, frostbite sets in. Symptoms of frostbite include

  • skin that’s both pale and hard to the touch (it may have a waxy appearance)
  • blisters
  • a purple or black hue in more advanced stages

Treatment
Rewarm frostnip immediately. Do not rewarm frostbite in the field unless you’re absolutely sure that you can prevent refreezing, which can cause even more damage. Always avoid rubbing frostbitten tissue, as that can intensify injury as well. Instead, try to prevent further cooling, and get to help immediately. If help is more than a few hours away, read more about rewarming in the backcountry. Wilderness medicine is often complicated, so we always recommend getting professional training before administering any advanced first aid — see the section above on Hands-On Wilderness First Aid Training.

Snow Blindness

Prevention
Snow blindness is essentially a serious sunburn to the eyes, often caused by light reflected off snowy or icy surfaces. Always wear polarized, UV-blocking, full-coverage sunglasses, goggles, or glacier glasses in snowy conditions, even when there’s not full sun.

Symptoms
Symptoms of snow blindness don’t typically set in until hours after the injury has occurred. They include pain, redness, and, of course, impaired vision. Some describe the cornea as feeling scratchy or gritty, like “having corn flakes under your eyelids.” In extreme cases, total but temporary vision loss occurs.

Treatment
Snow blindness usually clears up on its own, though it can take one to three days. Keep your eyes closed and bandaged as much as possible during this time.


*Note: Always consult with a medical professional or seek qualified training before undertaking any medical treatment on your own. Always call for rescue or professional help if symptoms seem serious and you’re unsure of how to proceed.

February 4, 2021
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Cellphone screen operating in Dark Mode with dark colored topographical map and white writing, set against a colorful sunset in backdrop
Gaia GPSHow-ToNewsletter

Navigate at Night with Dark Mode

by Corey Buhay February 5, 2020
written by Corey Buhay

Use Dark Mode in Gaia GPS to plan routes, research hikes, and navigate after sundown without straining your eyes or wasting device battery. Dark Mode inverts the traditional iOS color scheme, showing you light-colored text and icons on a dark background. The result is a beautiful new aesthetic that produces less ambient light.

For an even better viewing experience, enable the Dark Mode responsive Gaia Topo map and your eyes will thank you.

A tablet screen operating in dark mode with topographical maps shown in dark colors and writing shown in light colors.  The tablet screen is set against a dark night sky with stars.

When to Use Dark Mode

Optimal for low-light environments, Dark Mode is easier on your eyes and won’t disturb people around you. It’s perfect for nighttime navigation, reviewing route stats during the ride home, or even just double-checking the weather for your morning hike or run while you wait for the sun to come up. And if you’ve got a dream trip keeping you up at night, you can nerd out over the details without disturbing your sleeping significant other.

Dark Mode also has the potential to extend the battery life of your device since the display requires less light.

A cell phone with the screen displayng a topographical map in Dark Mode, with a dark colored map and light colored writing.  The phone is set against a colorful sunset backdrop.

How to use Dark Mode in Gaia GPS

Dark Mode is a feature available with iOS 13. To turn it on, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Appearance. Then, tap “Dark” to set the display to Dark Mode. Gaia GPS will automatically adjust its own display settings to match.

To ensure that your screen settings are always suited to your environment, tap “Automatic” under “Display & Brightness” to sync up Dark Mode with sunset and sunrise. You can also set it to adjust according to a schedule of your own choosing.

February 5, 2020
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AdventuresHow-To

Get Unlost: Your Guide to Modern Backcountry Navigation

by Corey Buhay October 28, 2019
written by Corey Buhay

Strong navigation skills are crucial to any successful backcountry outing. A watertight navigation strategy is at the core of backcountry safety—if you know where you are, you can find your way out of a number of unexpected situations. Plus, the very act of route-planning forces you to study the terrain, making you more likely to pack what you need, make good decisions, and avoid incident.

Use this guide to brush up on your gear savvy, way-finding techniques, and emergency preparedness skills before your next trip. Don’t forget to download your free Navigation Safety checklist at the bottom of the article.

Included in this guide:

  1. Case Study: Lost in the Colorado Backcountry
  2. Essential Navigation Gear
  3. Learning Basic Navigation Skills
  4. Pre-trip Navigation Checklist
  5. Navigating Group Dynamics
  6. How to Stay On Track
  7. How to Get Unlost
  8. Download your Backcountry Navigation Checklist

Case Study: Lost in the Colorado Backcountry

In October of 2017, Colorado resident Shuei Kato set out to summit 14,067-foot Missouri Mountain. An experienced hiker, Kato prepared maps for his route, and packed plenty of food and clothing. He summited successfully, but when early-season snow set in and covered the already-faint trail, he descended along the wrong route, wandering beyond the area his maps covered. Kato spent 80 hours in the backcountry, suffering from hallucinations and hypothermia.

Fortunately, Kato shared his hiking plans with his wife before he left home, and she called the authorities when he didn’t return that night. Search and rescue found him just in time.

Kato did several things right—like wearing bright colors and leaving word of his whereabouts—but could his experience have been mitigated? Kato’s brush with danger serves as a reminder that, whether we are novices or experts in the outdoors, we can all benefit from a robust pre-trip safety check.

Essential Navigation Gear

Modernize your kit

A solid approach to modern navigation is to use a GPS app as your primary navigation tool and to supplement that with skilled use of paper maps and a compass.

What are the advantages of GPS apps?

Apps like Gaia GPS will show you your exact location and heading on the map even when you’re offline or out of service. Gaia GPS also includes additional features like waypoint marking and route tracking. These features can be life-savers in low-visibility conditions like fog or snow.

Why are paper maps still relevant?

Large-scale, fold-out maps (like those by National Geographic Trails Illustrated) can help you visualize many possible routes at once. These maps are useful both when initially planning a trip, and if you change plans in the field and need to examine multiple options.

Carrying paper maps and a compass—and knowing how to use them—is also useful in case your electronic GPS fails for any reason. We always recommend bringing both electronic and paper means of navigation, to help make better decisions out in the backcountry.

What about a dedicated GPS device?

Some people might reasonably opt for a dedicated GPS device such as a Garmin, either as their primary or backup navigation method. The main advantages are that a dedicated GPS device is more ruggedized than a mobile phone, and that battery efficiency tends to be better on a single-use device. However, you can achieve similar results with a phone by using phone cases and battery accessories.

The main disadvantages of a dedicated GPS are the cost (hundreds of dollars for the unit, hundreds more for the maps), along with inferior screen size and usability. Plus, carrying a GPS unit adds weight and bulk to your pack, whereas you were probably already planning on packing your phone.

Pack Supplemental Navigation Gear

If you have a GPS and maps—and you know how to use them—then your remaining foes are emergencies, time, and weather. If you are going into the deep backcountry or into unfamiliar territory, consider gearing up further.

Extra precautions:

  • Consider packing a satellite messenger or personal locator beacon like a SPOT device, which can call rescuers or communicate with authorities if you find yourself in a life-threatening emergency outside of cell phone service.
  • Store maps in a waterproof zip-top bag.
  • Pack an external battery if you think you might need to recharge your phone or beacon while you’re in the field.
  • Purchase a guidebook or print online resources with information about nearby landmarks or hazards.

Be Prepared, even on Day hikes

Wandering off-trail in the daytime—as opposed to getting benighted or confused in bad weather—is the most common reason hikers get lost. That’s according to one study which analyzed over 100 news reports detailing search and rescue operations. The same study suggested that day hikers are the most likely to get lost and need rescue.

The takeaway? Always bring a means of navigation, even on short hikes. Even if you’ve been on the trail before. Even in daytime. And Gaia GPS is an awfully convenient way to always have a topo map in your pocket.

Learning Modern Navigation Skills

Because electronic navigation is more pervasive and easier to use than paper maps, we recommend first learning to use and understand a GPS navigation app. This includes learning to read topo maps. Make sure you’re familiar with how to download maps, zero-in on your current location, record a route or track, and determine which direction you’re heading. Also, familiarize yourself with how to mark GPS coordinates in case you need to share your location with friends or rescuers.

The second thing we recommend is learning to use a map and compass. This is particularly important for backcountry and technical trips. Learn from an experienced friend, or sign up for a navigation course through a local guide service, outdoors club, or gear shop. Figure out how to identify nearby landmarks, adjust your compass declination, take a compass heading, and triangulate your location.

Work on your skills until they’re second nature. That way, if you do get lost, you’ll be able to get back on track without second-guessing yourself.

Pre-Trip Navigation Checklist

Is your navigation strategy in order? Ask yourself these questions before you leave the trailhead.

  • Have I left my itinerary and an estimated time of return with a friend or family member?
  • Have I reviewed my route and familiarized myself with the terrain?
  • Have I checked recent weather conditions and trip reports to inform my gear list and estimated hiking time?
  • Have I downloaded or packed maps for the area I’ll be exploring?
  • Are my phone, GPS, and/or satellite beacon batteries fully charged?
  • Do I have everything I need to stay on the trail a few extra hours (or an extra night) in case of an emergency?

Navigating Group Dynamics

There are plenty of benefits to hiking alone, but studies of search and rescue operations reveal that the majority of those who lose their way on the trail do so while hiking solo. For that reason, many authorities, including the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, recommend hiking in a group. Hiking partners provide a sounding board for ideas, and an extra set of eyes to double-check your map reading. Having someone to problem-solve with can also help you stay calm in case of an emergency.

If you’re hiking with others, make sure everyone understands the route plan before you set out. Also decide as a group on what time you’ll turn around if you don’t end up moving as quickly as expected. Sticking to a turnaround time ensures you avoid summit fever and get home before dark.

When you’re on the trail, avoid separating, even if you hike at naturally different paces. Instead, work together to double-check turn-offs and route directions.

How to Stay on Track

Avoid losing your way with these tips.

  • Be prepared. Familiarize yourself with your route and the surrounding terrain before you leave home, and pack proper navigation gear.
  • Check the map often. On trail, reference it at every intersection, as well as every time you take a break. Off trail, check every 30 minutes or so—less often if you have a clear landmark ahead of you, and more often if you’re in deep woods or brush.
  • Be conservative. If you come across terrain you don’t expect—like a raging water crossing or some surprise fourth-class climbing—turn around. It either means you’re off-route, or you’re unprepared for the terrain—a sure recipe for having to call in a rescue.
  • Leave waypoints. Record a track or drop waypoints in your phone or GPS unit so you have a breadcrumb trail to retrace if you get lost. This is especially useful in unreliable weather or poor visibility.


How to Get Unlost

Things starting to look a little unfamiliar? Try these strategies.

  • Take a seat. Search and rescue experts say that, as soon as you think you might be lost, you should sit down and eat a snack. You’ll make better decisions with a clear head, and research shows that doing a few rote tasks like making tea or digging out your trail mix can help restore your calm.
  • Determine your location. If you have a GPS app or device, turn it on and find a spot with a clear view of the sky so the device can pick up your coordinates. If you have a map, find a spot with a clear view of your surroundings, and triangulate your location:
  1. Look at the terrain around you. Then, match nearby landmarks like peaks or streams to the topo lines on your map
  2. Take bearings to each landmark.
  3. Transfer those bearings to the map. Your location is where those lines intersect.
  4. Use your location to find a new bearing back to the right trail.
  • Backtrack. If you’re on trail, or know which direction you came from, turn around and hike back to the last place you knew where you were. Most lost hikers get into further trouble by pushing ahead when they start to feel uncertain rather than cutting their losses and turning back.
  • Stay put. If you’re off-trail, have no idea which direction you came from, or notice dusk setting in, get comfy. Moving puts you at risk of wandering even farther from your route, lowering the odds that rescuers or other hikers will find you. This strategy can be less effective if you haven’t left word of your whereabouts with anyone, or if you’re in a remote or little-traveled area. Usually, though, it’s the safest thing to do if you’re totally lost.

    If you need to camp out and wait for help, here’s how to do it right:
    1. Find the closest safe place to camp, preferably near both water and an open clearing where rescuers will be able to spot you.
    2. If you have a working means of communication, send word to family members, friends, or authorities of your whereabouts to get a search started.
    3. Find sufficient shelter to spend the night. That could mean putting on all your layers, building a lean-to, or setting up your tent.
    4. Wear bright-colored clothing, build a trio of large brush piles, or lay out stones in a large X shape to make yourself even more visible.

Free Downloadable Navigation Safety Checklist

Download and print out this checklist. Keep it handy when planning for your next trip.

Click here to download.



October 28, 2019
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Canada Wildfires map overlay
Gaia GPSNew Maps

Always Be Prepared with New Canada Wildfires Overlays

by Corey Buhay September 12, 2019
written by Corey Buhay

Dodge road closures, avoid burn scars, and find views unobscured by smoke using two new Canada wildfire overlays in Gaia GPS. Using official government data, we’ve launched two big updates to bring you up-to-date information about both currently burning and historical wildfires across Canada.

About the Canada Historical Wildfires Overlay

Anytime you’re planning an adventure, it helps to have all possible insight into the terrain ahead. Many maps show vegetation cover, but they often neglect to mention burn zones. Now, you can view areas affected by fire in past years with the Canada Historical Wildfires layer. The layer color-codes burned areas with a red color gradient. Brighter-colored areas indicate more recent burns, while darker shading indicates burns that occurred in the more distant past.

All data for the Canada Historical Wildfires layer is sourced from the Canadian Forest Service.

one example of the canada historical wildfires overlay and corresponding map legend
The legend for the Canada Historical Wildfires overlay. Gradient shading indicates how recent the fire occurred.

About the Current Wildfires Overlay

We’ve also added full Canada coverage to the Current Wildfires layer. The overlay previously contained only active U.S. fires. Bright red shading indicates actively burning wildfires. Use it to predict park and road closures as well as smoke pollution, which can diminish air quality, damage lungs, and conceal both views and landmarks essential to route-finding.

The Current Wildfires overlay derives its data from a variety of official government sources. It’s updated daily as new information is made available by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the Province of British Columbia, Alberta Wildfire, and the Government of Saskatchewan.

An ipad display, showing the Current Wildfires overlay in the Gaia GPS app
The Current Wildfires overlay is updated daily as government agencies make new data available.

How to Use the Canada Wildfire Overlays

Both wildfire overlays are available to all Gaia GPS users with a Premium Membership.

Look for the Canada Historical Wildfires overlay either in the Feature/Weather Overlays section or in the Canada section of the map manager. It’s listed as “Wildfires (Canada, Historical)”.

You’ll find the Current Wildfires layer listed as “Wildfires (Current)” in the Feature/Weather Overlays section, as well. Simply tap the green plus-sign next to the overlay to add it to your map.

On iOS devices, you can see the year and name of the fire—in addition to the number of hectares burned—by tapping on any shaded area.


September 12, 2019
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sunset behind stone spires on a beach in Australia
Gaia GPSNew Maps

New! Topo Maps for Australia

by Corey Buhay August 22, 2019
written by Corey Buhay

Towering coastal spires, lush rainforests, glittering beaches, and wildlife you’ll find nowhere else on earth: If you’re starting to daydream about where to head for your next big adventure, you should put Australia on your short list. And, fortunately, you can now count on Gaia GPS to be your guide.

Dangar Falls in New South Wales, Australia. You can navigate here using the official, government-sourced topographic maps available in Gaia GPS.

Gaia GPS has just released new topographic maps for Victoria, Australian’s second-most populous state. Home to the city of Melbourne and over 100 national parks and reserves, Victoria is an ideal destination for any kind of adventure. It’s also just a short flight or a ferry ride away from Tasmania, an island known for its adventure opportunities and untamed wilderness.

The Gaia GPS map catalog includes full topographic coverage for Victoria and Tasmania. It also includes maps for the states of Queensland and New South Wales, and nearby New Zealand.

An overview of the map coverage for Australia and New Zealand currently available in the Gaia GPS map catalog.

About Victoria Topo

The new Victoria Topo map includes cities, roads, trail labels and mileages, clearly labeled peaks, vegetation shading, water sources, contour lines, flood zones, road access restrictions, and important landmarks. The level of detail makes it ideally suited to planning and navigation for outdoor adventures.

This colorful layer utilizes the most current maps available from official government sources. The end result is a mosaic of 1:100k, 1:50k, and 1:25k topo maps, all sourced from the Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water, and Planning. The 1:25k maps were published in April 2017, the 1:50k maps in June 2017, and the 1:100k maps in February 2018.

Victoria Topo includes coverage of Grampians National Park, known for its mountain vistas and wild kangaroos.

How to Use Australia Topo Maps in Gaia GPS

The new Victoria Topo map is available with a Premium Membership. However, Gaia GPS members of all levels can access topo maps for the rest of Australia, in addition to maps of New Zealand.

You’ll find all our official Australia topo maps in the Australia/New Zealand/Asia category of the map manager. Simply tap the map name to view legend information and sourcing details. Then, click the green plus-sign to add the layer to your main map view.

sunset behind stone spires on a beach in Australia
Use the Victoria Topo map to find the perfect sunset-watching spot along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia.
August 22, 2019
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sunlight shining through a forest of redwood trees
Company NewsGaia GPS

How Scientists are Saving Trees with Gaia GPS (And How You Can, Too)

by Corey Buhay July 29, 2019
written by Corey Buhay

How hard is it to steal a tree? According to a one study, it’s not as difficult as you might think. The study, conducted by the United Nations Environmental Program and INTERPOL in 2012, found that 30 percent of finished wood products contain timber illegally poached from protected zones. That includes species like western redcedar, Alaskan yellow-cedar, coast redwood, and bigleaf maple.

The good news: Adventure Scientists is using Gaia GPS to build geo-referenced databases authorities can use to trace lumber and track down the criminals. And if you’re an expert on getting deep into the backcountry, they need your help.

Identifying a broadleaf maple for last year’s edition of the timber project. Photo courtesy of Damon Tighe

About Adventure Scientists

Adventure Scientists, a nonprofit based in Bozeman, Montana, draws on the resourcefulness and backcountry skills of outdoor adventurers to organize citizen science efforts across the world. It’s not just a feel-good volunteer activity, either—Adventure Scientists volunteers provide high-quality data. That data influences cutting-edge studies and real-world change.

Past projects have included freshwater and saltwater microplastics surveys (which influenced the European Union’s recent landmark ban of single-use plastics), wolverine and lynx population tracking, and antibiotic resistance studies. For many of these projects, volunteers use Gaia GPS to navigate in the wilderness. They also use the app to leave annotated waypoints so scientists can track exactly where the samples came from.

Adventure Scientists’ Michelle Toshack demonstrates how to use a tree corer to take a sample from a western redcedar.

Why Conservation Needs Citizen Science

Conservation biology requires a lot of legwork. Because it takes hundreds of data points for a study to be thorough and conclusive, data collection can take a long time. There simply aren’t enough scientists to go around. That means research progresses slowly, all while environmental problems worsen and populations of threatened species dwindle.

Fortunately, a lot of the work that needs to be done involves trekking out into the field, accessing remote fields and forests, spending time in isolated landscapes far from civilization—all things the outdoor recreation community is already doing. Adventure Scientists leverages that community to turn weekend warriors into the conservation army that biologists have always dreamed of. In this way, citizen science speeds up the pace of scientific discovery.

Adventure Scientists volunteers get a Gaia GPS Membership, which they use to geolocate tree samples.

Saving Trees with Gaia GPS

Adventure Scientists’ Timber Tracking Project, now entering its second year, aims to collect thousands of genetic and chemical samples from important tree species across the country. Volunteers are trained to identify the species involved in the study. When they find one, they take samples of the leaves, cones, wood, or sprouts and record a Gaia GPS waypoint. That waypoint can easily be shared with other volunteers or exported to the project file. Then, each tree sample is analyzed, and added to the appropriate genetic or chemical database.

Ultimately, forestry officials will be able to test wood from lumber shipments of bigleaf maple, western redcedar, or Alaska yellow-cedar, and compare those samples to the database. If the timber’s genetic or chemical makeup matches that of a sample collected in a protected area, officials will know it was illegally harvested.

For coast redwoods, Save the Redwoods League will compare the genes of each tree sample with characteristics of the site where the sample was taken. The study should help scientists understand the function of genetic variation within the species. That understanding will help guide future conservation and restoration efforts.

You can read more details about last year’s successes with bigleaf maple here, and more about how to sign up to help with this year’s project here.

July 29, 2019
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National Geographic map of the PCT, as seen in the Gaia GPS app.
Gaia GPSNew Maps

New! Oregon Pacific Crest Trail Maps by NatGeo

by Corey Buhay July 15, 2019
written by Corey Buhay

Earlier this year, we started processing a new set of National Geographic maps to bring you the entirety of the Pacific Crest Trail in Gaia GPS. We’re excited to announce that we just finished adding all 460 miles of the PCT in Oregon.

The NatGeo Pacific Crest Trail layer shows water sources, prominent landmarks, trail mileages, roads, side-trails, and both official and unofficial campsites within a 10-mile trail corridor of the PCT. It also includes helpful notes from thru-hiker and map maker Lon Cooper (“Halfmile”). Beautifully illustrated and meticulously fact-checked, the NatGeo Pacific Crest Trail map is an example of some of National Geographic’s best cartography. It’s available to all users with a Gaia GPS Premium Membership.

The NatGeo Pacific Crest Trail Layer currently includes all of Washington and Oregon. Keep an eye out for coverage of the trail through California, which we plan to roll out in the coming months.

The NatGeo PCT maps include helpful notes from Halfmile.

About the PCT in Oregon

The 2,650-mile PCT crosses the length of Oregon, passing some of the state’s best scenery. Hike a section here, and you’ll find yourself tracing the spine of the Cascade Range. Stop for sunrise at the famed Crater Lake, walk in the shadow of the glacier-crusted Mount Jefferson, or weave through alpine tarns in the Three Sisters Wilderness.

Oregon holds some of the PCT’s best miles. The NatGeo Pacific Crest Trail layer has everything you need to explore them.

The newest section of the NatGeo PCT map layer includes campsites, trail mileages, and landmarks for all of Oregon.

How to Use the NatGeo PCT Maps

Like the rest of the National Geographic Trails Illustrated series, the NatGeo Pacific Crest Trail layer is available to all Gaia GPS users with a Premium Membership. You’ll find it in the United States category of the map manager. You can access it both on gaiagps.com and in the app.

Because it’s so comprehensive, we recommend using this layer as a stand-alone base map. Be sure to download the maps for offline use, as much of the PCT has limited cell service.

A map of the Pacific Crest Trail through Oregon and Washington, as viewed on an iPad in the Gaia GPS app.
An overview of NatGeo PCT coverage currently available in Gaia GPS.


July 15, 2019
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