How-To

Someone holds their phone out infront of snow-capped mountains.

How to Find Your Location Without Cell Service

by Abby Levene November 21, 2021

written by Abby Levene

You’re on an adventure having the time of your life, until all of a sudden you’re lost. You can’t find the trail, and you don’t have cell service. Whether you’re hiking, offroading, running, or biking, we’ve all experienced that moment of panic. In fact, that’s a large reason why Gaia GPS was born.

Don’t worry, Gaia GPS has a feature to save you from hours of frantically trying to retrace your steps in vein. In fact, you can find out where you are in seconds, even when you can’t get a cell signal. All you have to do is pull out your phone, open Gaia GPS, and locate yourself on the map. Here’s how to do it.

Plan Ahead — Download Maps for Offline use

In order to locate yourself on the map, there is one catch. You must have your maps downloaded for offline use. Thankfully, downloading a map is easy to do. You just need a Premium Membership. Then you can download maps for the entire region that you’re traveling to, or even an entire state.

Pro tip: Before you leave the trailhead, start recording your tracks so you leave a bread-crumb trail of your steps right on the map. That way you can always retrace your steps and find your way back.

Locate Yourself on the Map

Lost and have no clue where you are? Find yourself on the map in seconds thanks to the “Locate” icon. Simply open the Gaia GPS app, and tap the circular icon with the four compass points in the very center of the top toolbar in the app. The arrow icon (called the “Map Arrow”) now shows your exact position on the map. Zoom in or out and pan around the map to get a better sense of your bearings.

Pro tip: You can quickly see how far away you are from the trail or the trailhead. Simply tap your desired destination on the map, and a drawer will pop up on the bottom of the screen showing the distance to it.

Navigate Your Way Back

Once you’ve located where you are on the map, you can use Gaia GPS to find your way back to familiar ground. If you are recording your tracks, hold your phone out in front of you and turn your body until the map arrow points in the direction of your breadcrumb trail. Start walking along your recorded track and your arrow should move right along with you.

If you’re not recording your tracks, don’t despair. Examine the map to find the trail, trailhead, or a particular feature on the map you’d like to reach. Once you’ve pinpointed your destination, you can even drop a waypoint onto the map for easy reference. Using the map arrow as a guide, work your way back.

Unlock the Backcountry with a Premium Membership

Stay found on your adventures with a Gaia GPS Premium membership. 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.

A Premium Membership also gives you access to Gaia GPS’s entire map catalog. Download hundreds of maps, including National Geographic Trails Illustrated, high-resolution satellite maps, weather overlays, and government-issued topo maps like USFS topo, all the USGS quad maps, and MVUMs.

November 21, 2021

Gaia GPS How-To

5 Gaia GPS Hacks You Didn’t Know About

by Julien Friedland October 27, 2021

written by Julien Friedland

Whether you’re planning a backpacking trip or hitting the road on four wheels, there are hundreds of ways you can use Gaia GPS to plan and navigate. With Gaia GPS you can find your way without cell service, create routes, access and download hundreds of maps, and so much more. No matter how you use Gaia GPS, these little-known tricks and tips will make your adventures smoother and safer.

Read on to learn about customizing Gaia GPS to display your most important trip stats, and how to make your location marker pop. You’ll also learn how to capture memories along your route, trim your tracks when you forget to stop recording, and declutter your map for seamless planning and navigation.

1. Customize Your Trip Stats Bar

Two phone screenshots show the Gaia GPS app with the trip stats bar, and the click wheel of options for changing what you see in the stats bar.

See the information that matters to you most by customizing the Gaia GPS stats bar. Located at the top of your map screen, the stats bar shows important details about your trip like distance, elevation gain, pace, total time, and moving speed. Select the top three stats most relevant to your adventure to quickly see how far you’ve traveled, how fast you’ve hiked, or what elevation you’ve reached with a quick glance.

To change up the stats displayed above your map, tap (long tap on Android) your current stats and choose from a list of trip details that you’d like to view. Headed on a trail run? Display “pace”, “moving time”, and “ascent” to track your minutes per mile, time running, and elevation gain. If you’re on a time crunch, set your stats to “total time”, “distance” and “ascent” to see how long you’ve been out and how far you’ve climbed and traveled.

Stat display options include elevation gain, current elevation, distance, moving speed, average speed, and pace. Aside from key trip stats, you can also pin details like sunrise/sunset time and GPS coordinates to the top of your stats bar. Easily snap a photo or pause your track by selecting the “record button” as one of your displays.

You can customize your stats bar in the Android and iOS Gaia GPS app.

2. Make Your Location Marker Pop

A phone screenshot shows the 20 different color options for the Gaia GPS location marker. These are found under Settings.

One of the best features of Gaia GPS is that you can always pinpoint your location on the map — even when you’re away from cell phone service. Simply tap the locator button to center your location marker on the map. You can make your location marker pop even more by customizing the marker color.

Changing your location marker color makes it easier to see where you are even when the sun is shining bright or you’re navigating at night in dark mode. Browse 20 different color options and pick the best one for your adventure.

Location marker color options are available in iOS and Android. To change your location marker on iOS, visit settings > Map Controls > Location Marker and choose the color you wish to add. To change your location marker in Android, visit settings > Location Marker and select the color you’d like.

3. Drop Photos Along Your Route to Mark Memories and Landmarks

A phone screenshot shows a photo of Trappers Lake that is being added to Gaia GPS.

Easily document key points along your journey by saving a photo and waypoint with one tap. We all have places in the backcountry we want to mark and remember like our favorite campsites, a backcountry ski route, an intriguing backroad, or that special view from a mountain top. Use Gaia GPS to drop photos anywhere on the map.

You can easily save all of your favorite places by snapping a picture in the Gaia GPS app. As soon as you capture your image, Gaia GPS will drop a waypoint at your current location on the map and save both to your library.

In your Android or iOS device open up the app and tap the “+” button and “Take Picture” to snap your photo. Then you can name your waypoint, change the waypoint icon and leave notes to remember why you saved it. You can even do this while recording a track. Another way to capture an image is to set your stats bar to “record button” to see a record button and camera icon displayed on your home screen. Just tap the camera button to take a photo.

4. Drive Away Before Stopping Your Track? Crop Your Track!

Two phone screenshots show how to crop a track in Gaia GPS.

It’s happened to the best of us — you finish a long hike, kick off your boots, then hop in the car to head home, only to realize you forgot to stop recording your track. You can easily trim your track to remove the unwanted miles on the pavement with this tool.

Edit any recorded track by tapping the track on your screen. Select the edit icon > “crop track,” then drag the “end tab” to trim the track up until the point you wish to end your recorded track. Track cropping is available in Gaia GPS for iOS and Android devices.

5. Declutter Your Map By Hiding Saved Items

Too many waypoints, routes, and tracks cluttering your map? Clean up your map by hiding saved items. If you’re looking to scout a new route or explore a national park map and don’t want icons or a mess of routes and tracks getting in your way, try selecting which items you want to see and which items you want to hide while viewing your map.

In iOS, tap the layers icon > “Map Overlay” then select or deselect the items you would like to see or hide on the map. Choose from waypoints, waypoint labels, routes, tracks, areas, public tracks, and saved hikes. In Android, tap the layers icon and scroll all the way to the bottom to toggle on/off your areas, saved hikes, tracks, routes, waypoints, and waypoint labels.

October 27, 2021

Gaia GPS Gaia GPS Offroad Podcast How-To Offroading

How to Get into Vanlife without Breaking the Bank

by Mary Cochenour October 27, 2021

written by Mary Cochenour

Van life with its sunset views and cozy living quarters seems like a dream — until you see the price tag. A decked out 4×4 Sprinter van can cost more than the price of a modest home. But Jason Darrah, star of the viral YouTube show Primal Outdoors, is here to show you a better way. All it takes is buying – and being happy with – the vehicle you can afford.

Jason carrying a log over his shoulder. — Photo credit: Jason Darrah

For years, Jason has been living in a Ford van that he bought off Craigslist for $2000. He named the van “Sasquatch“ and considers it a solid upgrade from his first overland rig – an ancient $350 Ford Explorer. Both of Jason’s economical vehicles have explored the farthest reaching corners of the Pacific Northwest, where Jason calls home.

“I like to encourage people to look at this as an option … maybe start with something used,” Jason says. “Something you could build and tinker with and just over time it will get better and better. And pretty soon you’ll look back maybe two, three years later and it will be like, ‘wow, I’ve got this really rad overland vehicle’ and I just built it from nothing.”

Over time, Sasquatch has seen tens of thousands of dollars in upgrades, including a conversion to four wheel drive, a propane heater to warm the cab, and an electrical system to keep the lights on. Jason adds on to the van when he can afford it. Now, Sasquatch is built out perfectly for full-time living and 4WD exploring.

“People might look at the van at this point and think that it’s crazy,” Jason says. “But if you add up all the stuff I’ve done to it, I’m still under the base price of a Sprinter.”

Sasquatch has proven to be a worthy overland vehicle for Jason. He used the van to discover and map out a 300-mile custom route from Bend, Oregon to the Alvord Desert. The trip takes about a week to complete, yet only about a mile of the route touches pavement.

Jason explains on episode 7 of the Gaia GPS Offroad podcast that almost any high clearance 4WD vehicle can complete the Bend to Alvord route. Plus, get the low down on Jason’s method of building out a van for everyday living, how backpacking has influenced his vehicle-based adventures, and why he loves to cook up and eat chicken hearts while out on the trail.

Learn more about Jason on his YouTube channel, Primal Outdoors, and follow his exploits on Instagram. Join Primal Outdoors Patreon to get Jason’s exclusive GPX tracks and files.

Last Episode: Around the World with Hourless Life

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

Brittany and Eric Highland moved out of their home seven years ago and have lived on the road ever since. A few weeks ago, they crossed the US border into Mexico, kicking off their biggest adventure yet — a giant road trip around the globe. With no return date in mind, the couple expects the trip to take 10 to 15 years.

Go back and listen to episode 6 of the Gaia GPS Offroad podcast to hear how they built out their Jeep Gladiator for international travel. Plus, get the details on traveling around the world with their adorable four-year-old son, Caspian.

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.

October 27, 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

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

A man and a woman with backpacks walk up a braod valley in Alaska's Brooks Range

Gaia GPS How-To User Profiles

Get the Best Ultralight Backpacking Tips and a Special Offer from Hyperlite Mountain Gear

by Joe Pasteris August 17, 2021

written by Joe Pasteris

Whether you want to join the ranks of ultralight backpackers or simply shed a few pounds from your backpack, you will benefit from reducing the base weight of your pack. Carrying less weight undoubtedly makes for a more comfortable hike. And a lighter load frees you to travel farther and faster, allowing you to see and do more in a shorter period.

Here at Gaia GPS, we’re big fans of Hyperlite Mountain Gear products. Whether we’re backpacking through Alaska, bikepacking across the southwest, or packrafting in Montana, Hyperlite Mountain Gear packs and shelters keep us rolling with amazingly low base weights so we can go farther and longer without resupply.

Not sure where to start? Here are some of our tried and true recommendations. Hyperlite Mountain Gear’s Southwest Series backpack is one of our go-to bags for getting deep into the backcountry. It’s made to handle rough terrain and it won’t shred to pieces when you’re bushwhacking across Alaska’s Brooks Range or squeezing through slot canyons in Utah. And at just under 2 pounds, the HMG Southwest backpack keeps us moving light and fast anywhere we want to go.

If you’re in the market for a weather-tight, ultralight shelter, take a look at Hyperlite Mountain Gear’s UltaMid 2. Constructed with waterproof Dyneema Composite Fabrics, this shelter brings a sturdy pyramid-shaped design and weighs a mere 1.17 pounds out of the box. It’s got a roomy floor space for two weary travelers and enough headroom to stay comfortable while waiting out a Sierra thunderstorm.

With Hyperlite Mountain Gear you can ignore that old theory that you have to decide between carrying a light pack to be comfortable hiking, or carrying a heavy pack to be comfortable camping. Advancements in gear technology make it easier than ever to enjoy the best of both worlds. These days, you can lighten your load while still carrying everything you need to feel prepared and comfortable in the backcountry.

Read on to learn some of the top ways to reduce your backpack’s weight — and some tips won’t even cost a penny.

Adventure Alan sits in the backcountry with his gear spread out around him. — Adventure Alan Dixon and his 9-pound ultralight backpacking gear, including the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest Series backpack.

Start with “The Free Three”

Alan Dixon, a professional backpacking guide, ultralight backpacking guru, and founder of AdventureAlan.com, coined the term “the free three” to describe three categories of items that offer potential weight savings without spending a dime. Rather than focusing on those high-dollar items you typically need to spend money on to reduce your load, like tents and sleeping bags, Dixon focuses on the “free three” things to cut weight, including water, food, and all the stuff you don’t need.

1. Carry Only as Much Water as You Need

At 2.2 pounds per liter, water is one of the heaviest items in your backpack. Knowing how much you’ll drink and how much water will be available on the route should drive how much water you carry.

“People are often carrying two or three liters of water when there’s a stream or lake every three to five miles where they can refill,” Dixon says. “When you know where the water sources are, you don’t need to carry that much.”

Dixon suggests that most backpackers can carry one liter of water and stay perfectly hydrated by refilling along the way. Numerous lightweight and efficient water filters on the market make refilling your supply quick and convenient. Plus, carrying less water means that you can stow your fluids in any lightweight, affordable bottle rather than splurging on a heavier hydration reservoir.

Of course, the one-liter recommendation comes with exceptions, like hiking in the desert or any location with long stretches between water sources. But the takeaway here lies in learning the location of reliable water sources so you can plan to carry a reasonable amount for your trip. Do some research in guidebooks and online forums before you go to find out where you can access water, and carry a detailed map that shows water sources. With Gaia GPS, you can use the USGS Topo map layer to locate water sources in the field and see your precise location in relation to them.

The Hyperlite Southwest backpack weathers an Alaskan storm in the Brooks Range.

2. Carefully Plan Your Menu

A common recommendation for how much food to carry on a backpacking trip says two pounds per person, per day. Dixon claims that on long trips where you burn lots of calories for days or even weeks on end, that recommendation makes sense. But most people on weekend trips can cut back to one-and-a-half pounds (or about 3,000 calories) per person per day and still walk out with leftovers. Making this simple adjustment significantly lightens your pack. If you’re going on a five-day trip and carrying two pounds per day, that’s 10 pounds of food. Carrying one-and-a-half pounds per day reduces the load to seven-and-a-half pounds.

Also, be thoughtful about how much “emergency” food you toss into your pack. It’s easy to get sucked into adding just a little more, adding excess weight. Avoid this mistake by taking time to plan out your menu ahead of your trip so you can be realistic about how much food you really need. To get ideas about what to eat and how to create a menu, read How to Plan a Menu for Long Distance Backpacking.

Photo courtesy of packrafting expert Luc Mehl.

3. Leave Behind the Stuff You Don’t Need

Backpackers commonly carry things they just don’t need. This happens for a variety of reasons—sometimes extra items accumulate in your pack after a few trips, but often people pack for their fears. These fears include being cold, getting dirty, or going hungry. You want to be prepared for the unexpected, but that doesn’t mean you should fill your pack with multiple pairs of clothing or a sleeping bag rated for winter use when it’s the middle of summer.

To avoid bringing loads of extra stuff, do these things before heading out:

Check the weather: Before you go, get a detailed weather forecast for the region and pay particular attention to the high and low temperatures, wind speed, and chance of precipitation. Use this information to help you choose the appropriate clothing and gear to stay comfortable for where you’re going rather than packing for unrealistic fears. If the forecast indicates a hot and sunny weekend, don’t bring your bulky 4-season tent and a sleeping bag built for winter.

When you’re checking forecasts, also take a look at the Weather Overlay maps on Gaia GPS (available with a Premium Membership). Add the precipitation layer to your favorite base maps to display 24-, 48-, and 72-hour precipitation predictions in the app and on gaiagps.com when you’re connected to WiFi or cell service.

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 shelter on the Uinta Highline Trail. Photo by Dan Ransom.

Don’t bring too much clothing: Backpackers frequently overpack clothing out of fear of getting dirty or cold. To get over this, you must accept that backpacking entails getting dirty. Dixon advises not to pack more clothing than you’re able to wear at one time. Thinking about your clothing this way will keep you from throwing in a complete change of clothes. When deciding what specific items to bring, use the weather forecast and seek out versatile, lightweight layers. A lightweight puffy coat proves useful on almost any trip—you can pull it on whenever you’re chilled and even wear it to bed if needed. And, if you just can’t stand the thought of staying in your hiking clothes for the entire trip, Dixon suggests bringing a lightweight pair of long-underwear bottoms and a top to change into for sleeping.

Learn from past experiences: When you get home from a trip and start unpacking, take a moment to consider how frequently you used each item. Examine the things you only used occasionally or didn’t use at all to determine if you really need them next time. Remember that just because you didn’t use essentials like a first-aid kit or compass doesn’t mean you should go without them. But things like camp chairs, books, extra clothing, and extra food can likely be reduced or even eliminated.

Trucking along the Uinta Highline Trail. Photo by Dan Ransom.

Weigh Your Gear

Considered weighing the individual items you put in your backpack. Knowing how much each gear and clothing item weighs helps identify ways to lighten the load.

To keep track, create a spreadsheet that lists all of the things you typically bring on a backpacking trip and how much each one weighs. You can find weights for most items on manufacturer websites or use a digital kitchen scale to weigh them. Try LighterPack.com, which allows you to make gear lists for different types of trips and include weights, pictures, and links.

Pack base weight: Once you know the weight of all the individual items in your pack, you can easily figure out your pack base weight, a number that many ultralight backpackers pay close attention to. Pack base weight refers to how much your backpack weighs loaded with everything you’re taking except food, water, and fuel. Knowing your base weight gives you a consistent number from trip to trip that you can focus on reducing. Base weights will likely vary between different types of trips, for example a summer trip’s base weight will be lighter than a winter base weight, because you’ll have to carry more clothing and gear to stay warm.

Reduce the Weight of “The Big Three”

Spend some time reading about lightweight backpacking and you’ll come across the term, “the big three.” This refers to your tent, sleeping bag, and backpack — three core backpacking items that offer lots of potential weight savings.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 in action on the Uinta Highline Trail. Photo by Dan Ransom.

Tent

If you’re not careful about your tent selection, you may end up with a big, bulky shelter that takes up lots of space in your pack and adds significant weight. Dixon believes if you really want to stay light, look for a tent that has a trail weight of about two pounds. (Trail weight typically includes just the tent, fly, and poles as opposed to the packaged weight that includes everything, including the stuff sacks, stakes, and instruction manual.)

The lightest options include tarp tents and pyramid-style tents. Some people shy away from these because of their non-traditional design and, in some cases, the lack of bug netting. But, if you want to go light, give them a serious look.

Single-wall backpacking tents made from waterproof, breathable fabric save weight by not requiring a separate rainfly, making them another good option. But, these tents typically cost more and sometimes struggle with condensation building up inside. If a traditional double-wall tent is more your style, there are some very light options that come in around 2 pounds.

Sleeping Bag

For this key item, Dixon suggests using an 800-fill power down, backpacking sleeping bag that weighs 1.25 to 1.75 pounds and has a 30-degree comfort rating. (The comfort rating, rather than the lower limit rating, gives a truer indicator bag’s temperature capabilities.) A sleeping bag in that weight range and with that temperature rating satisfies most backpackers the majority of the time.

If you want an even lighter option, consider a camping or backpacking quilt. Without bottoms, mummy hoods, or zippers, quilts are not only lighter, they are also less expensive than sleeping bags. Dixon acknowledges that backcountry quilts aren’t for everyone—some people just can’t seem to embrace the idea of not using a sleeping bag—but if you’re serious about reducing the weight of your pack, try it.

Whether you choose a sleeping bag or a quilt, be sure to pair it with a quality, lightweight sleeping pad. Dixon recommends getting a backpacking sleeping pad with R-value of 4.2 or higher (R-value measures how well a material resists conductive heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better job the material does at insulating). Without a good sleeping pad beneath you, the cold ground will rob you of most of your warmth.

Backpack

Backpackers often believe that bigger, heavier packs with their stout interior frames can comfortably carry really heavy loads. Dixon rejects this notion.

“Nothing carries 40 pounds comfortably,” Dixon says. “Because 40 pounds is never comfortable. The greatest comfort is to reduce your overall pack weight.”

By reducing the weight and volume of things like your sleeping bag, tent, clothing, food, and water, you’ll make it possible to comfortably carry everything you need in a pack that only weighs about 2 pounds and has around a 65-liter capacity. Packs in this weight and size range forego some padding and pockets, and they don’t have extremely rigid internal frames. But you won’t need any of that because your load will be so light and compact.

Repackage What You Can

Repackaging bulky food and toiletry items into smaller, lighter containers serves as a helpful way to cut down on weight. Rather than taking along a whole tube of toothpaste or a giant bottle of sunscreen, squeeze some into small reusable travel-sized bottles. The idea applies to food, too, so look for ways to eliminate packaging when possible. For example, transfer noodles from the cardboard box into a zip-top plastic bag, which is lighter and more compact.

Six days worth backpacking food lies in rows on the floor. Dehydrated meals, trail mix, and dried fruit have been repackaged into small ziplock pages. The allotment also contains bars, instant coffee, and two bars of chocolate. — *Adventure Alan’s daily backpacking meal plan with repackaged food. Learn more about his recommended backpacking menu in his post on Best Backpacking Food.*

Be Thoughtful About Luxury Items

Even the most hardened backcountry explorers can’t resist taking along a luxury item or two. And that’s okay. You just need to be purposeful about what you take and ask yourself if the weight is worth it.

For instance, if you camp without a pillow but can’t get comfy and always wake up with a sore neck, then perhaps a pillow provides a luxury worth indulging in—there are some ultralight ones that will only add a couple ounces to your load. Or if you need entertainment in camp, maybe bring along a small book or journal. Or better yet, load e-books onto your phone. Smartphones can serve all kinds of purposes in the backcountry, whether for entertainment or to help you find your way. Read Best Uses for Your Cell Phone in the Backcountry for other ideas about how your phone can come in handy and possibly help you save weight.

August 17, 2021

Gaia GPS How-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

Man looking at a map in Gaia GPS on his phone

Gaia GPS How-To Newsletter

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

Gaia GPS How-To

Best Uses for Your Cell Phone in the Backcountry

by Joe Pasteris July 6, 2021

written by Joe Pasteris

These days, nearly everyone heading into the backcountry carries a smartphone in their pocket. These powerful gadgets can, of course, make calls, send texts, and check email when in range, but they also offer many useful features far away from cell towers.

In the backcountry, cell phones have become a go-to navigation tool, an alarm clock for an alpine start up the peak, and the place to conveniently store guide books and favorite maps. Check out these ways you can use your phone in the backcountry even when cell service is nonexistent.

Know Your Location with Gaia GPS Navigation

Paired with a navigation app like Gaia GPS, your smartphone transforms into a powerful, compact navigation tool for backcountry travel — even when you’re out of range for cell service. You don’t need cell connection to pinpoint your exact location on a map, record your track, or find important map features, like water sources and campsites, for the backcountry area you are visiting.

To access maps offline in Gaia GPS, simply download the map by following these steps:

Select the map source and any layer you want to download, Premium members can access and download multiple maps and layers at one time.
Navigate to the area that you would like to download.
Tap the (+) icon at the top of your screen.
Tap the “Download Maps” button from the menu.
Tap and drag the dots at the corners of the highlighted rectangle area, and adjust it to cover the area you want to download.
Tap “Save”

You’ll be able to access the downloaded maps from the Gaia GPS app even when your phone is completely offline and in airplane mode to save your phone’s battery. When you’re out in the field, you can use the app to pinpoint your location on the map, drop waypoints to mark important spots like campsites and trail junctions, record your track and follow it back to retrace your footprints back to the car.

Get Your Bearings with a Compass App

A compass is an essential navigation tool that you use to take a bearing or orient your map so you can identify prominent land features and find your way if you get turned around. iPhones come with a compass app loaded on them, and can be launched from your iPhone’s home screen. Not all Android phones come with a compass, but there are many popular compass apps available for free. You can also pull up the Gaia GPS app to display the bearing for the direction you’re traveling. That said, you should always carry a handheld compass, too, in case your phone battery dies.

Download Guidebooks and Data Sets

Many popular trails and routes have guidebooks or data sets that show mileage and map coordinates for points of interest along the trail. But books are heavy and take up room in your pack. Gone are the days of tearing out the pertinent pages of a guidebook and taking them with you on the trail. Many guidebooks are available electronically and can be downloaded to your phone. If your favorite guidebook isn’t available electronically, you could take photos of the pages that apply to your trip and pull them up on your phone when needed.

Use Your Phone as a Watch for Simple Navigation and Alpine Starts

Many people have ditched the wrist watch in favor of using the clock on their phone to tell time. Knowing the time is important in the backcountry, because it helps you make important decisions such as whether to push on or stop and make camp. Time is also one of the three components of dead reckoning navigation, one of the most basic and useful backcountry travel skills. Dead reckoning involves learning your general position in the filed by using the mathematical formula of distance equals rate of travel multiplied by time. Using your phone clock or a watch on your wrist, you can find out how far you traveled by multiplying the time you were walking by the speed you were walking.

The phone’s clock also has an alarm to wake you from your deep sleep in the woods. Now you might be thinking you won’t need an alarm on your vacation to the backcountry. But an alarm comes in handy for alpine starts, when you need to wake up before the sun rises so that you can get an early start on the trail to tackle big climbs and beat afternoon lightning storms on exposed peaks and alpine passes.

Measure Slope Angles with an Inclinometer App

Backcountry skiers and snowboarders use inclinometers to measure the angles of slopes when assessing avalanche risk. If you don’t already have a dedicated inclinometer, or you’d prefer to use your phone for that task, download an inclinometer app. The Avalanche Inclinometer app (iPhone and Android) is simple to use and features a large display, making it easy to read the slope angle in any weather. The app also displays your elevation and includes a compass.

In addition to inclinometers, Gaia GPS premium members can view the Slope Angle-Shading Overlay to see the subtle changes in slope angle on a topo map. This can be a helpful tool for planning your backcountry trips, but is not a substitute for carrying an inclinometer when backcountry skiing or snowboarding in avalanche terrain.

Use Your Phone as an Extra Flashlight

Almost all smartphones come with a flashlight app that’s handy for quick tasks, like looking for something inside your tent or getting out of your tent in the middle of the night to answer the call of nature. The light on your phone is probably not powerful enough to illuminate the trail while hiking, but they are helpful for use around camp and inside your tent at night. Look for third-party apps for fun in-camp features like strobes and different colors.

two hikers taking a picture of each other, one using a cell phone camera

Document Your Trip With Pictures and Video, Save Photos to your Track

With a smartphone in your pocket, you have access to a high-quality, lightweight camera that you can use to capture photographs and videos on all your backcountry trips. For many people, the default camera app that comes on a phone has everything they need: It should allow you to make exposure adjustments to get the lighting right, choose a focal point to ensure your subject is in focus, select high dynamic range (HDR) mode to capture a range of color and brightness, turn the flash on and off, and add gridlines to help you compose the perfect photo. If you want even greater control, look for a third-party camera app that lets you make shutter speed adjustments, change the ISO, and turn on image stabilization.

You can also use your trip to record points of interest in the Gaia GPS app. When tracking your route with the Gaia GPS app, snap a photo and save it to your saved route in exactly the place you took the photo. To do so, you simply tap the + icon in the top Gaia GPS menu in the iOS or Android app and select “Take Picture” when you want to attach an image. Learn more about how to take and add pictures in iOS and Android.

Create a Journal of your Trip

Many people enjoy bringing a small notebook and pencils into the wilderness to collect their thoughts in the quiet space of nature. But paper and pencils can get trashed when jammed into a pocket of your backpack. Try turning your phone into a travel diary with one of the many travel journal apps offered both free and for subscription. These apps bring a more in-depth solution to documenting your trip, including options to use text, photos, location tracking, and voice recordings to store all your memories and thoughts from a venture into the woods. When you come back to civilization, many travel journals sync your electronic journal to all your devices, so you can edit more freely on a bigger screen. Some journals even let you collaborate with other users to create a complete picture of your trip.

Stay Entertained with Games, Music, and Podcasts

For many people, the backcountry provides a space to “unplug” and get away from seemingly ever-present screens. But if you’re on a long journey and find yourself needing a distraction, try downloading crossword puzzles, games, audiobooks, inspiring outdoor podcasts like the Out and Back podcast by Gaia GPS, and playlists from your favorite music apps. Make sure you download files and/or apps to your phone before leaving home because there’s no guarantee you’ll have cell service out in the boonies. Also, nearby campers and resident wildlife would appreciate you bringing headphones to cut down on noise in the wilderness.

the Wind River Range in Wyoming, mountain in background and yellow flowers in foreground.

Identify Birds, Stars, and Plants

How many times have you looked at a pretty flower on the side of the trail or a bird chirping in a tree and wished you knew the name of it? Check out these apps, that will help you identify constellations, birds and plants.

To identify stars, try the free SkyView Lite app (iPhone or Android). It uses your phone’s camera to identify objects in the sky, including planets, constellations, distant galaxies, and satellites.

The Audubon Bird Guide app (iPhone or Android) helps you identify birds. Enter what you observe, such as color, size, and length of tail, and it will narrow down the choices for your location. The app offers data packets for offline use, which is essential when you don’t have cell service.

To identify plants and animals on your trek, try the free iNaturalist app (iPhone and Android). Using your phone’s camera, it can recognize many species of plants, animals, and insects. The PlantSnap Plant Identification app (iPhone and Android) is another popular option. Its free version helps you identify flowers, trees, mushrooms, cacti, and more.

Save Your Phone Battery

Relying on your phone for many tasks will wear down its battery. But there are many ways to conserve your phone’s battery while in the backcountry. Try running your phone in airplane mode, dimming the screen, and turning off location services for all the apps except maps and navigational aids, like Gaia GPS. Also, consider toting along a back-up battery or solar charger to juice up your phone on a long trip.

Mary Cochenour contributed to this story.

July 6, 2021

Gaia GPS How-To

Bear Safety Tips for the Backcountry

by Michael Charboneau June 24, 2021

written by Michael Charboneau

Bear populations are on the rise in America. More bears means more bear-human encounters. While grizzly and black bear attacks remain infrequent, they can prove fatal. Most negative bear encounters can be avoided if humans take the time to learn about bears and practice a few bear safety tips.

This article covers some basic information about the bears that live in North America (black bears and grizzly bears) and provides guidance on bear safety from wildlife experts Jennifer Fortin-Noreus, a wildlife biologist with USFWS Grizzly Bear Recovery Program, and Greg Lemon, Communication & Education Division administrator for Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Some of the information gathered here comes from the U.S. Forest Service, the National Parks Service, and other trusted resources. Read on to learn more about bears, how to avoid them in the backcountry, and how to handle an encounter so you can prepare yourself and minimize risk.

Black Bears and Grizzly Bears

There are two species of bear native to North America: the black bear and the grizzly bear, also known as the brown bear. Black bears are more widely distributed than grizzlies, with populations spread across wooded areas in the United States and Canada—even as far south as Florida and Mexico. Grizzlies are found in Alaska, Canada, and parts of Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Washington.

A map of North America shows where black, grizzly, and polar bears live. Polar bears occupy the North Pole and the most northern tips of Canada and Alaska. Grizzlies live in Alaska, north west Canadian provinces, and parts of north west America. Black bears reside in areas dispersed throughout Canada, America, and Mexico.

The two species can look similar, says Fortin-Noreus, but they do have some key distinctions.

Black Bears

As the name implies, black bears usually have black fur, but they can also have brown, blue-gray, and even white coats as well. Look for the black bear’s straight face profile and relatively tall, straight ears that can look quite prominent on the head. Their rumps reach higher into the sky than their front shoulders. According to the NPS, black bears measure about three feet high at the shoulder and weigh up to 600 pounds.

Black bears have short, curved claws that are less than two inches long. Their toes are separated and claw marks are not always visible in their tracks.

Grizzly Bears

A grizzly stares at the camera. It's defined by it's rounded ears, dish-shaped snout, and hump between its front shoulders.

Grizzlies, on the other hand, have black, brown, or even blonde fur, measure three to five feet high at the shoulder, and can weigh up to 1,000 pounds. Compared to black bears, grizzlies also have much longer claws, a “dish-shaped” face, and a notable hump between their shoulders.

Grizzlies’ front claws are slightly curved and two to four inches long. Their toes are close together in a straight line. Claw marks often appear in their tracks.

A chart shows key identifying features between grizzlies and black bears. Grizzlies have a rump lower than shoulders; shoulder hump; long claws. Black bears have a rump higher than shoulders; no shoulder hump; and short, curved claws. — Illustration courtesy of Yellowstone National Park.

General Characteristics

Despite their size, bears are surprisingly agile, and they’re highly adapted to their environments. Both species can charge at speeds of 30 miles per hour or more, are excellent swimmers, and can climb trees. They also have a strong sense of smell, which makes proper food storage critical when spending time in bear country (see below).

Bears have an omnivorous diet, and their food sources vary widely depending on the season and what’s available, says Fortin-Noreus. In early spring, they feed on tender grasses and the carcasses of animals that didn’t survive the winter. Later in the year, ripe berries become another important food source. Bears will also feed on insects, fish, plant roots, and elk and deer calves.

Hibernation forms another key bear trait. Although hibernation happens in the winter, bears go dormant in response to low food availability, not cold weather, says Fortin-Noreus. Generally, grizzlies and black bears hibernate for up to six months, though the exact hibernation period will vary depending on conditions and the individual bear. Hibernation season begins around October and can last as late as May for some bears, she says. Yet hibernation isn’t necessarily a months-long block of inactivity, says Greg Lemon. Hibernating bears do occasionally leave their dens.

“Just because it’s winter time doesn’t mean bears aren’t going to be out,” Lemon says.

A grizzly stands in a body of water looking towards the camera.

Avoiding Bear Encounters While on the Trail

When traveling through bear country, give bears plenty of warning and watch out for signs of their presence. First, make a lot of noise—clapping and loud talking work best. Bear bells usually aren’t loud enough. Second, travel in groups whenever possible. One recent study found that between 2000 and 2015, 63 percent of worldwide bear attacks happened to people who were alone. Bottom line: if a bear hears you coming, it will likely move away from the area.

“Bears are really good at avoiding people,” says Fortin-Noreus. “They don’t want to encounter you any more than you want to encounter them.”

Some recreational activities carry additional risks in bear country. Fortin-Noreus points out that trail running and mountain biking increase your risk because you move more quickly and quietly than you would while hiking, and that gives bears less time to react. Fishing and hunting add risks because the smell of entrails can attract bears, among other potential issues. Hiking with a dog off-leash also brings added complications. In that scenario, the dog could run off and surprise a bear.

“If the dog gets chased and runs back to you, you’ve got problems,” Lemon says.

If you bring your dog along, make sure you keep them under control and close to you (or on a leash).

No matter how you spend time in the backcountry, always stay aware of your surroundings. That includes watching for signs of bears’ presence. Common indicators include bear scat, paw prints, trees with scratched bark, turned over logs, and dug up anthills. Lemon says that if you see fresh signs of a bear, you should turn around and move away from the area immediately.

In addition, consider how wind direction, visibility, and ambient noise level will affect bears’ ability to detect you—and vice versa. Hiking into a headwind will make it harder for bears farther up the trail to smell you, for example, and the sound of a nearby creek can drown out your footsteps and voice.

“If there’s a particular area that has poor visibility or a lot of ambient sounds,” says Fortin-Noreus, “slow down so that you have more reaction time.”

It’s also a good idea to know what kind of bears you might encounter in your area. Bear ranges are expanding, so Fortin-Noreus recommends talking with a local park ranger to get the latest information on bear activity. That way you can avoid places the animals frequent.

A mama and baby black bear stand in a field during a snowstorm.

Camping in Bear Country

Camping in bear country mainly requires handling food, waste, and scented items carefully. Always maintain a clean camp, and keep food, cooking supplies, and garbage at least 100 yards away from your sleeping area. Pack your food in a bear-resistant container (the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee has helpful guidelines on packing a canister) and avoid especially smelly foods like bacon or tuna. Remember that anything with a smell—shampoo, toothpaste, cookware—can attract bears. Never leave these items in your tent or sleeping area.

“You want to do all of your cooking, eating, brushing your teeth, dishwashing—all of that stuff around where your food storage is,” Lemon says. “You don’t want to have anything in your tent but you and maybe a bottle of water.”

If your campsite has them, use food lockers to store your food and immediately dispose of your waste in recycling and trash bins. If you don’t have access to lockers, you’ll need to hang your food and garbage 10 feet off the ground and four feet away from the tree or pole it’s attached to (again, follow local guidelines). That way, you’ll discourage bears from searching your campsite.

Check with rangers to learn about food storage regulations in the area you plan to visit. Each area maintains specific food storage requirements that address its unique bear population. For example, in many places in the Sierra, where black bears have become quite sophisticated around humans, food must be stored in hard-sided containers like a bear canister or a metal bear box. In some forests, land managers allow food to be stored in a bear-resistant bag, like an UrSack. Some parks provide a place to hang food from a high pole or beam with a metal cable. Check with land managers to make sure you’re in compliance with regulations.

What to Do if You Encounter a Bear

By following the guidelines above, you’ll lower your chances of a surprise bear encounter. If you do see a bear, however, you need to respond carefully. First, make sure you give bears at least 100 yards of space, especially if you see a mother and cubs. If the animal doesn’t notice you, or sees you and ignores you, calmly move away from the area, Fortin-Noreus says. If the bear does pay attention to you, the NPS recommends speaking calmly to identify yourself as a human. Immediately pick up any small children in your group, and make your group look as big as possible by slowly waving your arms.

A bear might stand up on its hind legs to get a better look at you—this is usually not a sign of aggression. According to Fortin-Noreus, an aggressive or agitated bear might hop, sway its head, pop its jaws, or paw at the ground. Regardless, if a bear watches you, make sure you have your bear spray ready and slowly move away from the area. If the bear follows, stop. Running, yelling, or making sudden movements can provoke a bear to attack.

If a bear charges, use bear spray (see below). If the bear makes contact with you, the traditional advice varies based on the species of bear.

Black Bear Attacks

Attacking black bears are more likely to be predatory, says Fortin-Noreus. If a black bear attacks, you should vigorously fight back.

Grizzly Bear Attacks

If a grizzly makes contact with you, however, you should play dead. Keep your pack on, cover your head and neck, and spread your legs to make it more difficult for the bear to turn you over. If the attack persists, fight back.

If possible, Fortin-Noreus recommends assessing the bear’s behavior and differentiating between predatory and defensive actions. If you notice a bear following you from a distance in the woods, for example, it’s most likely acting out of curiosity or predation. If you stumble on a bear eating berries and the animal charges, it’s likely acting defensively to protect its food source. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has some good advice on how to respond to defensive and predatory bears.

How to Use Bear Spray

When used correctly, bear spray allows you to stop a charging bear without causing lasting damage. It works in much the same way that pepper spray does with humans, Lemon says. Bear spray irritates mucus membranes, causing pain and discomfort around the bear’s eyes, nose, and mouth. This sends a strong signal to the bear to stay away, but it doesn’t cause any lasting damage (unlike a firearm, which will kill a bear or injure it, making it even more aggressive). In addition, Lemon notes that pepper spray could have a lasting deterrent effect on bears who encounter it.

“The bear that gets hosed with pepper spray probably will forever associate humans with that experience,” he says.

Always keep your bear spray accessible—don’t bury it in your pack—and if you see signs of a bear, carry it in your hand. If do encounter a bear and it charges, remove the safety clip from the canister and aim toward the bear, adjusting for the wind direction. Begin spraying when the bear is about 30 to 60 feet away, and create a cloud of spray in between you and the animal (this how-to video from Yellowstone National Park provides a good overview of the process). Lemon recommends spraying in a sweeping “z” pattern to create an effective cloud.

Continue spraying until the bear turns around or changes direction. If it doesn’t, spray into the bear’s face. Once the bear runs away, slowly leave the area. Most bears will react immediately to the bear spray, Lemon says.

“It has a very dramatic effect,” he says. “It’s very effective in protecting someone from an attack.”

Remember to only use EPA-approved bear spray and check the expiration date on your canister before you head out. Some national parks, like Yellowstone, encourage the use of bear spray and even have it available for rent. Others, notably Yosemite, don’t allow visitors to carry bear spray, so always check local regulations before you pack it.

A grizzly mama and baby sit in a field in Alaska with snowcapped peaks looming behind.

Keeping Yourself and Bears Safe

Of course, bears aren’t just a nuisance to avoid. They form a critical part of the ecosystems they inhabit, and by keeping yourself safe, you protect the animals, too. Bears that overcome their natural fear of humans (either through unsecured food or people getting too close) can become aggressive toward people, and wildlife officials may have to remove them from the area or kill them—an unnecessary tragedy, especially for a threatened species like grizzlies.

If you follow the correct bear safety guidelines and practice awareness, you likely won’t have any issues with bears, and they won’t have any issues with you.

“If you take the responsibility to educate yourself,” Lemon says, “you’re very likely to have the magical trip that you are dreaming of, and not have any problems with bears.”

June 24, 2021

Load More Posts