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backpacking

Backcountry Foodie smiles while eating a bowl of food in the backcountry.

Ultralight Backpacking Meals with Backcountry Foodie

by Mary Cochenour August 31, 2020

written by Mary Cochenour

In 2017, registered dietitian Aaron Owens Mayhew quit her job to hike the PCT. The only catch: she hated eating — and hated paying for — freeze-dried meals. Worse yet, Owens Mayhew was horrified by the typical thru-hiker diet of Pop-Tarts, Spam slices, and mac and cheese, so she put on her culinary thinking cap and created her own nutritious and delicious menu. Her PCT thru-hike didn’t go as planned, but Backcountry Foodie was born.

In episode 11 of the Out and Back podcast, Owens Mayhew shares stories from her two decades of backpacking and the behind the scenes of how she created her popular backpacking food site and meal planning service. She also dishes out how you can cut down on food weight while eating healthier, delicious, and ultralight meals on the trail.

Tune in as Shanty confesses to Owens Mayhew about his eating habits on his 2019 Appalachian Trail thru-hike. Learn about macros and optimum ratios for carbs, fats, and protein during sustained physical activity like backpacking. Find out ways to make your meals with ingredients from the grocery store, and hear about the real difference between freeze-dried and dehydrated meals.

Check out Backcountry Foodie’s website and Instagram for backcountry cooking tips and inspiration. Also, keep an eye out as Backcountry Foodie aims to expand its business model from do-it-yourself backcountry menu planning to packaged meals you can buy straight from Owens-Mayhew herself.

Aaron poses for the camera with her dog, who's loaded down with a dog backpack. Aaron holds her hiking poles and wears a backpack. They are standing in the alpine, with snowcapped-mountains behind.

Episode Highlights: Smart and Satisfying Fueling with Backcountry Foodie

2:40: Backcountry Foodie is an online meal planning service for backpackers — a go-to, science-based resource for ultralight backpacking food.
3:45: Believe it or not, Aaron’s first backpacking meals were MREs!
4:30: Aaron fell in love with the outdoors and backpacking.
5:10: Backcountry Foodie started with a PCT thru-hike and a mid-life crisis.
7:10: Meal planning for a five-month hike was overwhelming but became the inception of Backcountry Foodie.
8:00: Shanty comes clean with his thru-hiker menu plan: Pop-Tarts, summer sausage, blocks of cheese, and ramen.
8:15: Aaron reveals her mainstays on the PCT: quinoa, beans, and hummus.
8:45: She brings her home diet into the backcountry because it makes her body feel better.
9:15: Two pounds of food per day can be a myth; you can go lighter with more calories!
10:08: Aaron often packs a pound-and-a-half of food per day.
12:05: You don’t have to eat processed food while backpacking. Here’s how.
12:20: Aaron definitely packs Snickers in her backpack though!
13:15: You need a balance of protein, carbs, and fat to keep that engine running all day!
14:30: Aaron is a “nerdy dietitian” who loves to crunch numbers for proper calorie densities and weight.
15:27: Eating healthy is more expensive. No getting around the fact that processed foods are cheaper, but good health is worth the money.
16:20: Aaron shares the recipe for a popular backcountry meal that’s not too expensive: spruced-up ramen.
19:40: You don’t have to buy a dehydrator; use all dry ingredients bought from the local store.
22:00: Here are some foods that Aaron doesn’t think you should dehydrate.
25:00: Check out the ultimate ratio for carbs, fat, and protein on a backpacking trip.
33:00: Sugar will make you crash and here’s why.
36:50: There’s something for everyone in meal planning: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free.
40:15: Aaron loves getting emails from clients saying that her meals have made them feel better and hike stronger.
41:00: Backcountry Foodie Phase 2 includes packaged meals, but they are having trouble finding a kitchen to work in during COVID.
42:00: Van life is Backcountry Foodie’s lifestyle with no desire to go back to conventional living.
43:00: Aaron has almost a full kitchen inside her home on wheels.

Next Episode: Solo Backpacking with a Stalker

Mary smiles while lying down with her head on a rock.

Tune in next week for a thrilling story about being stalked while backpacking solo. In this episode, Out and Back producer Mary Cochenour recounts how she learned to love backpacking solo as a wilderness ranger in the Lake Tahoe Basin. That is until she discovered she wasn’t alone after all. A man followed and watched Mary as she patrolled even the farthest corners of Desolation Wilderness.

Hear about how Mary found out she was being followed, her confrontation with the stalker, and why this incident inspired Mary to seek more time alone in the backcountry. The story is both scary and encouraging, reminding us that sometimes you have to face fear head-on to finally overcome it.

Catch up with Mary on Instagram and read more about her on Gaia GPS’s company bio and on Andrew Skurka’s guide roster. Read her tips for backpacking solo.

Last episode: The Newest, Longest Hiking Route in America: the American Perimeter Trail

Don’t miss our last episode about the American Perimeter Trail. Right now, the longest hiking route in America is being designed, mapped, and tested. The American Perimeter Trail circles the contiguous United States to make a 12,000-mile loop of existing trails, roads, and off-trail travel.

Long-distance hiker Rue McKenrick dreamed up the route after completing America’s thru-hiking Triple Crown of the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide trails. He craved another engaging long-distance hike in the US. But the maps came up blank for McKenrick. Having completed the longest trails in America, McKenrick imagined a new route that connected the landscape around the US.

McKenrick has been out in the wilderness since summer 2019, scouting the best track for the American Perimeter Trail. Shanty caught up with McKenrick during a town stop in Michigan. In this interview, McKenrick sheds light on what inspired him to design the trail, how hiking with an open heart has helped him through the rough times, and crazy encounters he’s had along the way, including having shots fired at him.

Tune in for this inspiring conversation and learn more about the American Perimeter Trail on the APT website. Follow McKenrick’s journey with real time updates on Instagram, YouTube channel and Facebook.

Meet the Host: Andrew “Shanty” Baldwin

the host of the podcast Andrew Baldwin wearing an orange hat and blue jacket with a frosty beard, smiling

In 2019, host Andrew Baldwin completed a southbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. After five months on the trail, Baldwin returned home to pursue a career in voice acting. A friend of the Gaia GPS company, Baldwin was a natural choice for hosting the Out and Back podcast.

In each Out and Back episode, Shanty strives to bring you conversations with people who spend an extraordinary amount of time outdoors. Listen in as Shanty taps into each backcountry expert’s superpower so that you can take their knowledge and experience with you on your next adventure.

August 31, 2020

Rue McKenrick smiles for the camera while hiking in the desert. The image is overlaid with "Out and Back: Rue McKenrick."

Gaia GPS Out and Back Podcast

The American Perimeter Trail: the Newest Long-Distance Hike

by Mary Cochenour August 25, 2020

written by Mary Cochenour

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Right now, the longest hiking route in America is being designed, mapped, and tested. The American Perimeter Trail circles the contiguous United States to make a 12,000-mile loop of existing trails, roads, and off-trail travel.

Long-distance hiker Rue McKenrick dreamed up the route after completing America’s thru-hiking Triple Crown of the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide trails. He craved another engaging long-distance hike in the US, so he scoured the maps. When he couldn’t find another long trail to hike, he imagined a route that connected the Pacific Crest Trail to the Appalachian Trail through the states in between.

In June 2019, McKenrick left his home in Bend, Oregon to scout the best track for the American Perimeter Trail. He’s hiked some 8,000 miles since. McKenrick started his journey with a walk south along the Pacific Crest Trail. At the end of the Sierra, he turned east to walk across the Mojave desert through Death Valley. He’s walked across Texas and beyond.

Rue McKenrick hikes across a barren desertscape. He's carrying hiking poles and a backpacking pack.

In this interview, Shanty catches up with McKenrick during a town stop in western Michigan. McKenrick explains what inspired the American Perimeter Trail project, his vision for the trail, and the unbelievable encounters he’s experienced the way.

Hear about how he navigated his way around massive swaths of private property in Texas, endured police questioning for having a backpack and an “accent,” and what happened when shots were fired over his head.

McKenrick gets real with Shanty, revealing the one item he takes with him on every journey — an open heart.

“An open heart allows you to experience what’s in front of you without judgment and thinking it should be different,” McKenrick says. “An open heart allows you to say, ‘This is the time right now. This is it. There’s no past and there is no future’.”

Check out the American Perimeter Trail website and follow McKenrick’s journey with real-time updates on Instagram and the American Perimeter Trail Facebook page. Check out the American Perimeter Trail YouTube channel.

Episode Highlights

0:50: What is the American Perimeter Trail?
3:50: How Rue got into backpacking.
4:50: Rue grew up near the AT in PA and enjoyed spending time alone.
5:20: Rue got lost at summer camp.
7:10: Rue talks about his first long-distance hike: the AT.
8:00: Rue’s motivation to get into long-distance hiking.
9:30: What Rue learned about himself while pursuing the Triple Crown.
10:30: Hiking the AT redeemed Rue’s faith in humanity.
11:15: Hiking deepened Rue’s empathy towards others.
12:45: Aligning personal and professional values.
13:20: Rue lives a leave-no-trace lifestyle, even in the front country. He hasn’t driven a car in 10 years!
14:30: Rue hiked the PCT in 2005.
14:50: Rue hiked the CDT in 2007.
15:30: Rue felt like his life was taking a more domestic turn, but it never happened.
16:30: Existential introspection led Rue to create the APT.
17:40: Rue’s desire to explore the US before he goes back abroad.
18:30: The now-or-never reckoning moment that led Rue to start hiking the APT.
20:00: Goal of the APT is conservation through recreation.
22:30: Backpacking is like sandpaper. It’s smoothed out a lot of Rue’s edges.
24:00: The APT is not a finished product.
26:00: No long-distance trail is ever complete.
28:30: How Rue started building the APT.
30:00: A lot of Rue’s route decisions are day-to-day on the trail.
31:00: Rue doesn’t like to plan, but he prepares.
35:40: How Rue got through the waterless stretches of Death Valley.
39:00: How Rue is navigating the route.
40:20: Importance of staying found.
40:50: How Rue sees a 3D world when he looks at a map.
42:30 More of the APT is off-trail than on.
43:30: How Rue got through Texas, a state where only 4.2% of the land is public.
46:30: Challenge of thru-hiking through terrain without long-distance trail communities.
46:50: Someone shot at Rue.
47:00: How Rue navigated having guns pulled on him in a store.
52:20: The most discouraging thing Rue has encountered multiple times on the trail.
56:50: How Rue picks up essential items while on the trail.
57:00: Social isolating: Rue’s COVID-19 coping strategy while out on the trail.
58:30: The challenges of thru-hiking during a pandemic that you may not have considered.
59:45: Thru-hiking requires both soft and hard skills. The APT takes both to the max.
1:00:25: Funding the trip while on the trip.
1:00:30: How many times Rue will re-up gear on this project.
1:05:30: The one luxury item Rue can’t hike without — an open heart.
1:06:40: The best trail magic Rue has ever received.
1:08:10: The people who inspire Rue.
1:11: How people can support the APT.

Next Episode: Backcountry Foodie

Aaron Owens Mayhew smiles while eating a bowl of pudding in the backcountry. An alpine lake and mountains are in the background.

In 2017, registered dietitian Aaron Owens Mayhew quit her job to hike the PCT. The only catch: she hated — and hated paying for — freeze-dried meals. Meal planning for a five-month thru-hike felt impossible, as did carrying enough nutritious food. So Owens Mayhew put her culinary expertise to work. Her thru-hike didn’t go as planned, but Backcountry Foodie was born.

In episode 11 of the Out and Back podcast, Owens Mayhew shares stories from her two decades of backpacking and the behind the scenes of how she created her popular backpacking food website and meal planning service. She also shares how you can cut down on food weight while eating healthier and delicious meals on the trail. And get ready for the big news: Backcountry Foodie is transitioning from a do-it-yourself website to selling packaged meals so you don’t have to bother prepping the food at home.

Check out Backcountry Foodie’s website and Instagram for backcountry cooking tips and inspiration.

Last Episode: Hiking Africa, the Himalayas, and the PCT in Winter with Justin Lichter

Circle back to the last episode of the Out and Back podcast with world adventurer and author Justin “Trauma” Lichter. Hear Lichter’s wildest stories from across the globe, including how stampeding elephants and stalking lions stopped him in his tracks on his attempted thru-hike of Africa. Learn about his high-altitude traverse of the Himalayas and the trip that made the most headlines — becoming the first person, with Shawn “Pepper” Forry, to successfully complete the Pacific Crest Trail in winter.

Lichter gives insights to the challenges and rewards of international adventure travel and the complications of winter travel on the PCT. And he digs into what motivates him to keep pushing the limits in the outdoors.

“The challenge — to see what what you can handle and what you can’t handle — that’s that’s definitely part of it,” Lichter explains. “And the other part that keeps you going is just seeing these places. It’s just rewarding. When you’re out there at the twilight in the alpenglow and nobody’s out there, it’s just an amazing moment.”

Lichter is truly an expert of backcountry travel in all its forms: hiking, skiing, and bikepacking. In fact, he’s the source of trail details and information on many of National Geographic’s Trails Illustrated maps. Tune is as Lichter discusses avalanche safety, winter gear, and international resupply strategies.

To learn more about Lichter, check out his website: www.justinlichter.com. Tap into his knowledge by reading one of his many books, including: Trail Tested: A Thru-Hiker’s Guide to Ultralight Hiking and Backpacking and Survive: Mountains.

Meet the Host: Andrew “Shanty” Baldwin

August 25, 2020

Gaia GPS Out and Back Podcast

Thru-hiking Africa, the Himalayas, and the Pacific Crest Trail in Winter with Justin “Trauma” Lichter

by Mary Cochenour August 17, 2020

written by Mary Cochenour

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Some endurance adventurers strive to become the first or the fastest person to accomplish something. Others simply want to learn about themselves along the way. Justin “Trauma” Lichter unintentionally accomplishes both. On episode 9 of the Out and Back podcast, world adventurer and author Lichter shares his wildest stories from across the globe. Lichter recounts how stampeding elephants and stalking lions stopped him in his tracks on his attempted thru-hike of eastern Africa. Learn about his 2,000 mile high-altitude traverse of the Himalayas. And get the behind the scenes scoop on his most headline-making trip: becoming the first person, with Shawn “Pepper” Forry, to successfully complete the Pacific Crest Trail in winter.

The cover of Lichter's book, Ultralight Winter Travel, shows Lichter backcountry skiing.

In this episode, Lichter gives insights into the challenges and rewards of international adventures and the complications of winter travel on the PCT. He also digs into what motivates him to keep pushing the limits in the outdoors:

“The challenge — to see what you can handle and what you can’t handle — that’s definitely part of it. And the other part that keeps you going is just seeing these places. It’s just rewarding when you’re out there at twilight in the alpenglow and nobody’s out there. It’s just an amazing moment.”

Lichter masters backcountry travel in many forms, from hiking to skiing to bikepacking. In fact, he’s a primary source of trail details and information in NatGeo Trails Illustrated maps. Tune in to hear how Lichter scored that prestigious gig plus learn about avalanche safety, winter gear, and international resupply strategies.

Lichter backpacks up a barren climb in Africa. He wears a jacket, gloves, and a brimmed hat.

To learn more about Lichter, check out his website: www.justinlichter.com. Tap into his knowledge by reading one of his many books, including Trail Tested: A Thru-Hiker’s Guide to Ultralight Hiking and Backpacking and Survive: Mountains.

Episode Highlights

3:20: Trauma talks about nearing his goal of traveling to all seven continents.
4:20: Trauma has hiked over 40,000 miles.
5:00 Trauma grew up skiing and day-hiking with his parents. He loved running to see what’s around the corner.
6:30: Trauma discusses an eye-oping trip to southern Utah that inspired him to thru-hike the AT.
8:30: Why the AT?
9:45: Trauma talks about why he decided to pursue an outdoor adventure lifestyle.
11:15: Trauma reveals how he earned his trail name. (It’s a crazy story!)
12:30: Ravens dive-bombed Trauma on his first wilderness trip.
14:00: Trauma’s first major trip was a 1,500 mile adventure through eastern Africa.
15:30: Wildlife encounters forced Trauma to cut his trip short.
17:30: Trauma spooked a lion and got chased by an elephant.
19:00: People are not on the top of the food chain in Africa.
21:30: Learning to navigate African cultures.
23:30: Trauma was careful with water sources and vaccinations to avoid sickness.
26:00: Trauma’s second major trip took him to Katmandu, Nepal, for the Great Himalaya Trail.
28:50 Tricky resupply strategy for the Great Himalaya Trail.
31:30: Trauma ate a lot of convenience store food.
32:00: Altitude is draining.
33:30: Trauma and Pepper become the first people to complete the PCT in winter.
34:30: Trauma talks about his motivation to embark on a winter PCT thru-hike.
35:30 Trauma and Pepper indirectly spent a decade preparing for their winter PCT trip, dialing in their gear and skills.
36:30 Gear isn’t made for this type of trip. Trauma had to find the balance between winter gear weight and functionality.
37:45: How Trauma and Pepper met.
39:00: Trauma and Pepper have adventured thousands of miles together.
39:30: Pros and cons of having an adventure partner.
41:00: Trauma and Pepper lucked out with avalanche danger on the PCT.
42:50: Trauma and Pepper got frostbite.
45:00: Winter navigational challenges you probably haven’t considered.
47:00: What keeps Trauma going.
48:45: Trauma’s work for National Geographic Maps.
49:30: Trauma’s work on ski patrol.
53:50: One of Trauma’s hiking presentations turned into a full barroom brawl.
55:10: Trauma’s favorite hiking gear.
55:50: Trauma’s favorite hiking food.
56:05: The psychological differences between a zero and a “nearo.”

Next Episode: The American Perimeter Trail with Mastermind Rue McKenrick

Right now, the longest hiking route in America is being designed, mapped, and tested out. The American Perimeter Trail circles the contiguous United States to make a 12,000-mile loop of existing trails, roads, and cross-country travel.

Hiker Rue McKenrick dreamed up the route after completing America’s thru-hiking Triple Crown of the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide trails. He craved another engaging long-distance hike in the US, so he scoured the maps. When he couldn’t find another long trail to hike, he imagined a route that connected the Pacific Crest Trail to the Appalachian Trail through the states in between.

In June 2019, McKenrick left his home in Bend, Oregon to scout the best track for his burgeoning vision of the American Perimeter trail. McKenrick has hiked some 8,000 miles since. He started with a walk south along the Pacific Crest Trail. Next, he turned east to walk across the Mojave desert through Death Valley. He’s walked across Utah, Texas, and beyond.

In this interview, Shanty catches up with McKenrick during a town stop in western Michigan. McKenrick explains what inspired the American Perimeter Trail project, his vision for the trail, and the unbelievable encounters he’s experienced all the way.

Hear about how he navigated his way around massive swaths of private property in Texas, endured police questioning for having a backpack and an “accent,” and what happened when shots were fired over his head.

McKenrick gets real with Shanty, revealing the one item he takes with him on every journey — an open heart.

“Over the years, I’ve found that the one item I need to take with me on every trip is an open heart,” McKenrick says. “An open heart allows you to experience what’s in front of you without judgment and thinking it should be different. An open heart allows you to say, ‘This is the time right now. This is it. There’s no past and there is no future.’”

Check out the American Perimeter Trail website and follow McKenrick’s journey with real-time updates on his Instagram.

Last episode: How Hiking Helped Heal Professional Hiker Will “Akuna” Robinson“

When Army veteran Will Robinson returned home from a combat tour in Iraq, he struggled with depression and PTSD. He spent more and more time at home, withdrawing from civilian life and turning to alcohol for self medication. One day, he flipped on the TV and saw Reese Witherspoon wrestling with an oversized backpack in the movie “Wild.”

That movie scene took Robinson back to his deployment overseas when he read a book about hiking the 2,660-mile Pacific Crest Trail. Inspired, Robinson shut off the TV and got to work planning his hike. Just two weeks later, Robinson put two feet on the trail and began walking north.

That first PCT thru-hike “was like an epiphany,” Robinson says. “I really, really enjoy through hiking. You know, this is going to be my life. This is for me, it’s not just that I want to come back next season because I had a goal and I feel like I didn’t accomplish it. I want to come back next season because I love this lifestyle and it’s helped me so much and I enjoy it so much. I just need to go back.”

Robinson, dubbed “Akuna” on the trail, sat down with Shanty in Out and Back podcast, episode 8. He engages in a frank discussion about how the trail helps him find purpose, community, and the space and time he needs to focus on himself. He recounts how the PCT hike allowed him to address his PTSD and Depression. Inspired by how the trail made him feel, Akuna continued on to hike the Appalachian Trail and the Continental Divide Trail — becoming the first Black man to complete the Triple Crown of long trails in America.

Akuna hugs a post signifying the end of the PCT.

Tune in as Robinson talks about being the first Black man to complete the Triple Crown, what that achievement has meant to him, and how all the hateful comments on social media mentally drained him. Akuna also touches on the recent flood of media requests in his inbox regarding speaking about the issues people of color face in the outdoors. He explains what he believes his fellow hikers can do on trail to make the outdoors a more welcoming place for people of color, and what it means for outdoor brands to become better allies. Laid back yet passionate about hiking, Akuna highlights the healing nature of trails everywhere, whether long, short, or in between.

Learn more about Akuna on his brand new website www.akunahikes.com and follow Akuna on Instagram to catch a glimpse of his latest adventures.

Meet the Host: Andrew “Shanty” Baldwin

August 17, 2020

Out and Back: Will "Akuna" Robinson is superimposed over an Image of Akuna hiking.

Gaia GPS Out and Back Podcast

How Hiking Heals with Will “Akuna” Robinson

by Mary Cochenour August 11, 2020

written by Mary Cochenour

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That movie scene took Robinson back to his deployment overseas when he read a book about hiking the 2,660-mile Pacific Crest Trail. Inspired, Robinson shut off the TV and got to work planning his hike. Just two weeks later, Robinson put two feet on the trail and began walking north.

That first PCT thru-hike “was like an epiphany,” Robinson says. “I really, really enjoy through hiking. This is going to be my life. This is for me. It’s not just that I want to come back next season because I had a goal and I feel like I didn’t accomplish it. I want to come back next season because I love this lifestyle and it’s helped me so much and I enjoy it so much. I just need to go back.”

Dubbed “Akuna” on the trail, Robinson sat down with Shanty for episode 8 of the Out and Back podcast. He engages in a frank discussion about how the trail helps him find purpose, community, and the space and time he needs to focus on himself. He recounts how the PCT hike allowed him to address his PTSD and depression. Inspired by the way the trail made him feel, Akuna continued on to hike the Appalachian Trail and the Continental Divide Trail — becoming the first Black man to complete the Triple Crown of long trails in America.

Akuna hugs a pole signifying the US/Canadian border and also the end of the PCT.

Episode Highlights

3:50: Akuna describes his upbringing living in Germany as a military kid and coming back to New Orleans.
6:30: Racism is real; it is not a made up thing.
7:05: Akuna did not grow up backpacking and camping, but enjoyed being outside as a kid.
8:45: Akuna’s dad told him that joining the military was out of the question.
9:15: An Army recruitment officer diverted Akuna from going down the wrong path in 1999 when he was a young man.
11:10: Akuna served in Iraq and was medically evacuated and sent home to New Orleans.
13:45: Upon returning home, Akuna underwent a number of surgeries and struggled with PTSD.
18:20: The military was not yet prepared to addressed the number of soldiers coming home with PTSD.
18:30: Akuna fell into a downward spiral, getting worse and worse. His room at home became a prison and he withdrew from social interactions.
20:00: Akuna knew he had to do something drastic to get out of this situation.
20:20: He looked up at the TV and saw the movie “Wild” and it inspired him to hit the Pacific Crest Trail.
21:20: Akuna thought “this is where I need to be” and two weeks later he was in Campo ready to start the trail.
24:30: Social interaction is the best part of Akuna’s thru-hiking experience.
27:15: Learn how Akuna earned his trail name.
28:20: Akuna loves the desert section of the PCT.
30:35: How thru-hiking helped alleviate Akuna’s PTSD and Depression symptoms.
39:00 Akuna is dealing with injuries on the PCT and has to leave the trail.
45:00: Akuna comes back and completes the PCT and goes on to nab the AT and CDT, becoming the first Black man to complete the Triple Crown.
48:00: Akuna shares his experience on each of the three trails and the benefits of each.
51:03: Akuna inadvertently completed the Triple Crown.
54:10: Akuna is proud to be first Black man to achieving the Triple Crown because it provides an example to other people of color that they can complete the trails too.
55:40: The community response to his Triple Crown achievement was overwhelming.
56:00: Akuna is sponsored by Merrell.
57:00: Since George Floyd’s murder, Akuna and other Black and BIPOC athletes’ phones have been ringing off the hook.
59:00: Akuna’s advice on how hikers and outdoor brands can be better allies to people of color in the outdoors.
1:04:10: Akuna took a mental health break from social media recently.
1:05:00: What’s on Akuna’s bucket list of hikes? You will NEVER guess.
1:08:05: Favorite trail town food: milkshakes.
1:09:00: Shout out to Erick Schat’s Bakery in Bishop, California, Akuna’s favorite trail town stop.

Next Episode: Justin “Trauma” Lichter on Lessons from Africa, the Himalayas, and a Winter Traverse of the PCT

You won’t want to miss the next episode of Out and Back with world adventurer and author Justin “Trauma” Lichter. Hear Lichter’s wildest stories from across the globe, including how stampeding elephants and stalking lions stopped him in his tracks on his attempted thru-hike of Africa. Learn about his high-altitude traverse of the Himalayas, and the trip that made the most headlines — becoming the first person along with Shawn “Pepper” Forry to successfully complete the Pacific Crest Trail in winter.

Lichter is truly an expert of backcountry travel in all its forms: hiking, skiing, and bikepacking. In fact, he’s the source of trail details and information on many of National Geographic’s Trails Illustrated maps.

To learn more about Lichter, check out his website: www.justinlichter.com. Tap into his knowledge by reading one of his many books, including: Trail Tested: A Thru-Hiker’s Guide to Ultralight Hiking and Backpacking and Survive: Mountains.

Last Episode: Thru Hiking Budgets and Urban Backpacking Routes with Liz “Snorkel” Thomas

Snorkel smiles as she reaches out a hand filled with blueberries. She stands in a field, with a full backpacking pack on her back.

If you’ve ever wondered how much money it takes to set off on a long thru-hike like the Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail, guess no more. In this episode, Shanty tackles thru-hiking’s financial costs with author, gear reviewer, and dedicated long-distance hiker Liz Thomas. Known as “Snorkel“ in the trail community, Thomas gives an honest and realistic picture of a thru-hiker’s budget. Learn Snorkel’s philosophy on buying gear, ways to save money in trail towns, and get a glimpse at hidden expenses that most hikers never even consider.

Snorkel also takes us out of the wilderness and onto the city sidewalk with 14 urban trekking routes across American cities. From Los Angeles to Seattle, Snorkel created 100-mile hikes through metropolitan areas to make the joy of thru-hiking more accessible to people who enjoy the comforts of civilization. The best part of urban thru-hiking, Snorkel says, includes checking out city art exhibits, walking through neighborhoods you never knew existed, and getting to eat the most delicious trail food for every meal. One of her favorite routes samples all the breweries in Denver. While not the most economical thru-hike, these trips provide a unique way to experience the hustle and bustle of any metropolis.

Learn more about Liz Thomas and her urban thru-hikes on her blog and follow her on Instagram. Follow Snorkel’s latest adventure: Treeline Review, a comprehensive gear-review website that helps you find and buy the right equipment the first time around. Read her book Long Trails, Mastering the Art of the Thru-Hike and her recent Falcon Guide, Hiking Waterfalls Southern California: A guide to the Region’s Best Waterfall Hikes, released in November 2019.

Meet the Host: Andrew “Shanty” Baldwin

August 11, 2020

Gaia GPS Out and Back Podcast

Thru-Hiking Budgets and Urban Backpacking with Liz “Snorkel” Thomas on the Out and Back Podcast

by Mary Cochenour August 5, 2020

written by Mary Cochenour

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If you’ve ever wondered how much money it takes to set off on a long thru-hike like the Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail, guess no more. In this episode of the Out and Back podcast, Shanty tackles thru-hiking’s financial costs with author, gear reviewer, and dedicated long-distance hiker Liz Thomas. Known as “Snorkel” in the trail community, Thomas gives an honest and realistic picture of a thru-hiker’s budget. Learn Snorkel’s philosophy on buying gear, ways to save money in trail towns, and hear about all the hidden expenses that most hikers never even consider.

Snorkel also takes us out of the wilderness and to the city sidewalk with 14 urban trekking routes across American cities. From Los Angeles to Seattle, Snorkel created 100-mile hikes through metropolitan areas to make the joy of thru-hiking more accessible to people who enjoy the comforts of civilization. The best part of urban thru-hiking, Snorkel says, includes checking out city art exhibits, walking through neighborhoods you never knew existed, and getting to eat the most delicious trail food for every meal. One of her favorite routes samples all the breweries in Denver. While not the most economical thru-hike, these trips provide a unique way to experience the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.

Learn more about Liz Thomas and her urban thru-hikes on her blog and follow her on Instagram. Check out Snorkel’s latest adventure: Treeline Review, a comprehensive gear-review website that helps you find and buy the right equipment the first time around. Read her book Long Trails, Mastering the Art of the Thru-Hike and her recent Falcon Guide, Hiking Waterfalls Southern California: A guide to the Region’s Best Waterfall Hikes, released in November 2019.

Snorkel stands on a mountain top, looking off her shoulder into the distance. Green and blue mountains extend behind her. — *Liz Thomas, known as Snorkel on the trail, has hiked more than 20,000 miles. She is founder and editor-in-chief of her new website Treeline Review. Photo credit: Naomi Hudetz*

Episode 7 Highlights: Long-Distance Hiker Liz Thomas

4:40: Snorkel explains how she got her trail name.
6:05: Snorkel talks about her 20,000 miles hiked, including the Triple Crown.
7:00: If she could only hike one trail again, it would be the CDT, and here’s why!
8:00: Snorkel held the women’s speed record on the Appalachian Trail for five years before Heather “Anish” Anderson broke it.
9:30: Snorkel completed the first traverse of the Wasatch Range.
13:40: Find out Snorkel’s motivation to keep hiking all these miles.
14:35: Outside Magazine named Snorkel the Queen of “Urban Hiking.”
15:45: Snorkel has thru-hiked 14 US cities. New York was the most intimidating.
19:10: You can get the same benefits on an urban hike that you get on a wilderness hike.
27:08: Gear is about 40 percent of your hiking budget.
28:20: All the expenses that people forget about when planning a long hike.
29:40: Snorkel tells us what type of gear to invest in for your first long hike.
30:35: Resupply in town versus mail drops. Liz says first-timers should buy in town and for good reason.
33:10: Shanty blew his budget on the Appalachian Trail.
33:50: The thru-hiking budget rule of thumb.
34:20: Shout out to Paul Magnanti “PMags” for his super cheap thru-hike budget.
36:40: How to save money when you backpack into a trail town.
43:00: Don’t try to keep up with the Joneses on your first trail hike.
49:00: Liz is an ambassador of the American Hiking Society.
53:00: Liz talks about the motto of her new gear website, Treeline Review. “Buy right the first time.”
55:16: Snorkel craves the weirdest trail food ever. There is seriously something wrong here.

Next Episode: Hiking with Will “Akuna” Robinson

Will Robinson raises his arms above his head. His eyes look up to the sky. A mountain looms behind him.

Army veteran Will Robinson returned home from a combat tour in Iraq and struggled with depression and PTSD. He spent more and more time at home, withdrawing from civilian life and turning to alcohol for self medication. But one day, he flipped on the TV and saw Reese Witherspoon wrestling with an oversized backpack in the movie “Wild.” That scene brought Robinson back to his deployment overseas when he had read a book about hiking the 2,660-mile Pacific Crest Trail. He remembered how learning about the PCT inspired and intrigued him. Robinson shut off the TV. Just two weeks later, he put two feet on the trail and started walking north.

Tune in as Robinson, who earned the trail name “Akuna” on his first hike of the PCT, engages in a frank discussion about how the trail has helped him find purpose, community, and the space and time he needed to focus on himself. Akuna recounts how his PCT hike inspired him to keep walking and complete the Appalachian Trail and the Continental Divide Trail — becoming the first Black man to complete the Triple Crown of long trails in America.

Akuna talks about being the first Black man to complete America’s Triple Crown, what that achievement means to him, and how hateful comments regarding people of color on social media has mentally drained him. Laid back yet passionate about hiking, Akuna highlights the healing nature of trails everywhere, whether long, short, or in between.

Learn more about Akuna on his brand new website www.akunahikes.com and follow Akuna on Instagram to catch a glimpse of his latest adventures.

Last Episode: Adventure Alan Dixon and Discovering Intention on the Trail

"Out and Back Ep. 6 Adventure Alan Dixon" is overlaid onto a photo of Dixon sitting in the backcountry, surrounded by all of his camping gear.

On the last episode of Out and Back, listen in to a deep conversation with “Adventure Alan” Dixon. Dixon inspires all of us to simply put “two feet on the trail” and get out there.

A trailblazer of ultralight backpacking and author of one of the most popular and comprehensive backpacking websites, Dixon is widely known for his spec-heavy, detail-oriented backpacking gear reviews and expert advice on all things backcountry. But in this interview, Dixon leaves behind his engineering background and gear spreadsheets to reveal his more vulnerable side.

Dixon recounts one of the most harrowing mishaps of his outdoor career, bringing him and his climbing partner to hallucinations and the brink of death in Wyoming’s Tetons. He talks about the “controlled chaos” of his upbringing that trained him to love high adventure in the outdoors and why he prefers high routes to slaying miles on long-distance trails. Although an early adopter of the most extreme versions of ultralight backpacking, Dixon tells us that you should not wait until you have the perfect gear or are in better physical shape to get moving on the trail. His goal is to encourage everyone to start hiking today.

Tune in to episode 6 to learn more about Adventure Alan’s backpacking philosophy, including the one thing you need to leave behind to lighten your backpack. Check out his website at www.adventurealan.com and follow him on Facebook and Instagram to tap into his gear reviews, backpacking trip reports, and expert backpacking tips. Watch his informative backpacking videos on YouTube.

Also, check out Adventure Alan’s ultralight backpacking tips on the Gaia GPS blog. The article sheds light on how to reduce your pack’s weight without having to spend a dime on expensive ultralight gear.

Meet the Host: Andrew “Shanty” Baldwin

August 5, 2020

Adventures How-To

Backpacking Gear List: What to Pack for Three Seasons

by Jim Margolis June 9, 2020

written by Jim Margolis

The team at Gaia GPS collaborated to build this three-season gear list for multi-day backpacking trips. Get an inexpensive scale and weigh everything before deciding what to pack. Websites like GearGrams and WeighMyGear can help you compile your list and calculate your total pack weight. You may not need everything on this list for every trip, and you may need other specialized equipment for some trips. There are many variations and options—consider this a starting point.

This post is a continuation of How to Plan a Backpacking Trip.

Clothing and Footwear

Set of clothing for backpacking including items for lower body, upper body, feet, head and hands

Footwear

Trail shoes or hiking boots. With a light pack and straightforward trail walking, trail running shoes work really well. Hiking boots can offer more support when you have a heavier pack or the terrain is uneven. The choice is personal and depends on many factors, but just make sure you have walked miles in your choice before your trip to break them in and find out if any hot spots will develop.
Wool socks. 2-3 pairs depending on the length of your trip and how wet you expect conditions to be. If you expect wet conditions, a pair of “sacred socks” that you only wear in camp and while sleeping, not while hiking, will help keep your feet healthy, warm, and dry.
Gaiters. Optional, but nice for keeping snow, dirt, and rocks out of your shoes.
Camp shoes. Optional. Extra weight and space, but some people like a separate pair of shoes to wear when they get to camp. Crocs are lightweight and dry quickly.

Lower Body Clothing

Underwear. Synthetic or wool underwear dries quickly. Some people swear by cotton underwear for preventing urinary tract infections, so consider carrying a pair of cotton underwear if you have a history of UTIs.
Long underwear. Wool is more expensive, but tends to stink less than synthetic materials.
Hiking pants or shorts.
Rain pants.
Puffy pants. Optional. If you expect cold conditions, consider insulated pants, fleece pants, or an extra pair of long underwear.

Upper Body Clothing

Hiking shirt. It’s nice for this to a different layer than your long underwear top so that you can change out of this sweaty layer.
Sports bra.
Long underwear top.
Midweight insulated jacket or fleece. Consider two of these depending on the temperatures you expect. A “midweight” jacket usually weighs about 1 pound, depending on the materials.
Rain Jacket.
Wind breaker. In light precipitation, a breathable windbreaker is more comfortable to hike in than a rain jacket, as you often sweat heavily inside a rain jacket.

Head and Hands

Sun hat. Something to keep the sun off of your head and neck.
Warm hat. Fleece or wool.
Lightweight gloves. fleece, synthetic, or wool. Ideally this is something in which you can also operate a stove or tie knots
Mosquito head net. If you expect insects, this is lightweight and makes life much more comfortable.
Buff. Can substitute for a hat in warmer temperatures, protect your face in cold temperatures, and can be used a sleeping mask at night.

Sleeping, Shelter, and Pack

Backpacking gear including backpack, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, tent, hiking pole, bear spray and sitting pad.

Sleeping bag. Choose an appropriate one for the temperatures you expect – here’s a guide. They usually come with compression sacks. If you expect wet conditions, consider lining the compression sack with a thick trash bag.
Sleeping pad. Inflatable mattresses are undoubtedly more comfortable, but also more expensive and prone to leaking. A humorous comparison: No one ever says “I can’t wait to go to sleep on my foam pad,” and no one ever says “I think my foam pad has a hole in it.“
Pillow. Lightweight options (Sierra Designs, Big Agnes) exist, and may help you sleep better. Some combination of your pack, a water bladder, and extra clothing also works.
Pack. Size and style is determined by the length and goals of your trip. Generally, you’ll want at least a 40 L capacity for a multi-day trip. Here’s a guide.
Trekking poles. Optional, but can save your knees. One is often sufficient. Some tents can be set up with two trekking poles strapped together.
Compactor trash bag. Lightweight and inexpensive way to keep critical items dry. The two mil thickness 20-gallon size is good for most applications.
Bear spray. If applicable for your area, check the regulations of the park or forest you plan to visit.
Tent or Rainfly. Consider a ground cloth or lightweight second sleeping pad if using only a rainfly. Here ‘s a guide to choosing a tent for backpacking. Pre-attach utility cord for guy lines in windy conditions.
Stakes. You can also leave these behind and use utility cord around rocks.

Cooking Set Up

Backpacking kitchen including stove, fuel, pot, pan, spatula, spices and handle for pot.

Stove. Canister stoves are the lightweight and work for most conditions. Here’s a guide from Outdoor Gear Lab. Make sure to test your stove before you leave.
Fuel. Make sure it works with your stove. MSR has a detailed article on estimating fuel use.
Pot and lid.
Wind screen. Not pictured. Increases fuel efficiency. Only use one if it is compatible with your stove — some have caused explosions with canister stoves.
Pot grips. Makes it easier to lifts pots and pans and stir meals without burning yourself. If your multi-tool has pliers, those work well.
Frying Pan and Spatula. Optional, but it increases your meal options – quesadillas, pizza, toasted bagels are all quick fry pan meals.
Spices and oil. A lightweight spice kit can make your meals much tastier. I carry olive oil, hot sauce, and pre-mixed salt and pepper in Nalgene 1-oz and 2-oz bottles.

Miscellaneous Personal Items, including Emergency Kit

Personal items kit including GPS device, headlamp, sunglasses, knife and more.

Lighter.Bic Mini lighters are small and fit in a pill bag for waterproofing
Spoon. You can eat anything with a spoon–but not with a knife or fork.
Bowl. Lots of options: lightweight metal, foldable plastic, collapsible silicone. A bowl with a screw top lid, while on the heavier side, can allow you to carry lunch and snacks that can’t be carried in a plastic bag, such as leftover dinner.
Water bottles or water bladder. Bladders with a hose make it easy to drink while walking, but something like a Gatorade bottle is lighter and less expensive. Tie some utility cord around the neck of 16 oz juice bottle and clip it to the hip belt of your pack for a lightweight alternative to a bladder.
Hot water container. Lightweight mug, insulated thermos, or .5 L Nalgene bottle. The .5 L Nalgene can be filled with hot water and taken to bed on cold nights, but they also add weight.
Watch. This basic tool, whether it’s on your wrist or the one on your phone, is an essential piece for dead-reckoning navigation.
Knife or multi-tool. A lightweight multi-tool with knife and pliers can be really useful for cooking as well as repairing stoves and gear.
Water treatment. Iodine or chlorine tablets are simple – drop it in your bottle and wait. Some prefer AquaMira for the taste, but the mixing process is inconvenient. SteriPen (UV light) and pumps are heavier, but offer the advantage of faster treatment. Read a review of options here.
Sunglasses. Crucial for high elevation travel to protect your eyes from UV rays.
Headlamp, with extra batteries. Batteries can be stored in a small pill bag or taped together.
Satellite communication device. The inReach Mini is lightweight and pairs with your phone. You can also get weather forecasts with it.
Firestarter. In case you need to start a fire to stay warm in an emergency situation. Cotton balls covered in vaseline, stored in a plastic bag with an extra lighter, is an effective and inexpensive option. Backpacking Light has a forum with many ideas.

Toiletries

Toiletry kit including face wipes, hand sanitizer, and more.

Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. A small reusable bottle for toothpaste allows you to bring just what you need.
Lip balm.
Sunscreen.
Hand Soap. Washing your hands is the most effective way to prevent the spread of illness.
Hand Sanitizer. When it’s not possible to wash your hands with soap and water, hand sanitizer works well.
Nail clippers. Optional, and dependent on the length of your trip. Trauma shears (see First Aid Kit below) can work too.
Hair management system. Depending on your hair, a lightweight brush or comb, elastic, and bobby pins can be useful. Check out Melanin Basecamp’s guide to managing different kinds of hair in the outdoors.
Personal medications. Bring just what you need in a small pill bag or ather small bottle.
Tampons or pads. Some people also like to use a Diva Cup. Bring an extra plastic bag to carry out waste.
Baby Wipes. Useful for keeping genitalia clean and comfortable. Bring an extra plastic bag to carry out waste.
Pee Rag. Extra bandana used for wiping internal genitalia after urinating. Kula Cloth makes an antimicrobial version.
Toilet paper. Toilet paper must be packed out, so bring an extra plastic bag. To save weight and avoid the mess of carrying used toilet paper, consider natural materials like smooth rocks or snow, or use the backcountry bidet method.
Bug spray. Optional, and if applicable for your area. In my experience, bug spray either doesn’t work at all or doesn’t last very long, making it not worth carrying.

Navigation

Gaia GPS app on your smartphone. Make sure to download maps to use them offline.
Battery pack and charging cord. Extends the time you can use your phone on a longer trip. 99Boulders has a review of options. For very long trips, some people like solar chargers.
Paper Map and compass. It’s wise to bring backup navigation equipment if your phone is damaged or runs out of battery.

First Aid Kit

Hands on first-aid training is invaluable for managing wilderness medical emergencies. NOLS, SOLO, and Wilderness Medical Associates are well-known wilderness medicine course providers. NOLS has a comprehensive wilderness medicine book that is worth studying. It is best used in conjunction with hands-on training through a class.

The list below is a basic kit that weighs 8 ounces — you may need more or less depending on your objective. NOLS has a more detailed blog post about considerations for a first aid kit.

Ibuprofen. Ibuprofen (800 mg) with acetaminophen (1000 mg every 8 hrs can help with bad pain. Many doctors and hospitals use this combination instead of narcotic pain medications.
Acetominophen.
Diphenhydramine. For treating allergic reactions. If you have a known allergy that causes anaphylaxis, be sure to bring epinephrine.
Loperamide. For treating diarrhea.
Bismuth subsalicylate (chewable tablets). For treating upset stomach, diarrhea, heartburn, and nausea.
Athletic Tape.
Bandages.
Wound closure strips.
Gauze roll.
Antibiotic ointment.
Nitrile gloves.
CPR mask.
Tweezers.
Benzoin tincture. Useful for blisters. A Topical adhesive that helps tape and moleskin stick to your skin.
Moleskin. Useful for blisters.
Kinesio tape. Expensive, but really useful for blisters. The flexibility makes it stick on your feet longer than regular athletic tape.

Gear Repair

Sewing needle and thread. A heavier-duty thread works better for repairing tents and clothing
Ripstop tape. Great for patching holes in sleeping bags and clothing.
Seam Grip. A general adhesive for repairing gear.
Tent pole splint. For repairing a broken tent pole.
Utility cord. 3 mm is a good size. This has many uses—extra tent guy lines, repairing broken straps, replacing busted shoelaces are a few examples.
Duct tape. Make into small rolls of 3 feet, or wrap around tent pole splint or pen or you’re bringing one
Inflatable mattress patch kit.

June 9, 2020

Andrew Baldwin stands on a rocky outcropping on the AT trail and is overlooking a valley

Adventures Featured Gaia GPS

Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike Leads to New Direction in Life

by Joe Pasteris May 5, 2020

written by Joe Pasteris

Warning: This story may inspire you to blaze your own trail on the AT, but before you make any plans be sure to check in with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy for current trail closures and policy related to COVID-19.

Last July, Andrew Baldwin set out southbound on the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail with the goal of gaining clarity and focus after a year of living in constant motion on the road.

Many would call it the dream life, with Baldwin quitting his nine-to-five job in the insurance industry, selling the house, and traveling the country with his wife, Ashli, in their self-sufficient Toyota 4Runner and R-Pod 180 trailer. The seasons passed and they put on thousands of miles, vagabonding to beautiful places like Colorado, the desert southwest, and the Cascade Mountains in Oregon.

Andrew Baldwin and his large dog sit in front of the R-Pod Trailer that he and his wife lived in for a year. — Baldwin and his wife spent a year living on the road in their R-Pod trailer.

But the longer they traveled, the more unsettled Baldwin felt. A struggle with self-doubt and depression slowly crept in as Baldwin and his wife wandered from one place to the next.

“I didn’t feel like I was doing much of value,” Baldwin said. “I wasn’t enjoying anything, even though we were doing something really cool. I wasn’t appreciating it.”

On a solo hike to Weaver’s Needle in Arizona’s Superstition Wilderness Area, the answer to Baldwin’s situation came to him — a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail.

“Just being out in nature, I realized that an AT thru-hike was something I really needed,” Baldwin said. “I knew I needed to have some sort of personal growth experience.”

Appalachian Trail route pictured on Gaia GPS map

The Appalachian Trail

And just like that, Baldwin committed himself to the AT, hiking through 14 states with an elevation gain and loss equivalent to climbing Mount Everest from sea level and back again, 16 times over. And, although hundreds of miles shorter than the Pacific Crest Trail, the AT is often deemed more difficult because of the ruggedness and steepness of the path.

Andrew Baldwin sitting on a ledge overlooking a forest.

Adding to the challenge, Baldwin looked at the maps and decided on a southbound hike, which is the more isolating, less popular direction to take on the AT. Last year, in an annual survey of AT thru-hikers, only three percent of survey respondents hiked southbound on the AT, while 86 percent hiked northbound and 14 percent flipped in different sections.

Southbound on the AT begins with the most difficult climb of the whole trek — 5,267-foot Mount Katahdin. After that, hikers tackle two of the toughest states on the trail, Maine and New Hampshire, before getting their hiking legs in shape.

“I chose to go southbound because July was the soonest I could get back to the east to start the trip, and because I really wanted to challenge myself,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin knew the challenges of the AT because Ashli had thru-hiked the AT in 2014. Plus, growing up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the AT was not far from his back door.

“I remember in the backpacking chapter of my Boy Scout handbook there was a page that showed a picture of the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail,” Andrew said. “I remember thinking, ‘Wow, there’s a trail that goes all the way from Georgia to Maine?’”

As a kid, Baldwin never imagined he’d walk from Georgia to Maine, but yet, here he was at age 32 about to embark on the journey of his lifetime: Maine to Georgia.

Andrew Baldwin hiking on a single track trail high above treellne.

Maine to Georgia

Going southbound, Baldwin relied on Gaia GPS on his phone for most of his navigational needs on the thru-hike. He downloaded the NatGeo Appalachian Trail map as his main map source because it provided crucial thru-hiking details, including a clear picture of the exact location of the main trail, side trails, campsites, water sources, fire restrictions, highways, and shelter information for the whole distance of the hike.

Downloading the map allowed Baldwin to run his phone on airplane mode throughout his five-month trip, conserving the phone’s battery and getting several days of use before a recharge.

A National Geographic map of Mount Katahdin.

“It was really helpful to be able to see my exact location on the map, and not have to guess how far away the next shelter, water source, or resupply was,” Baldwin said.

In addition to Gaia GPS, Baldwin carried a paper copy of The A.T. Guide, commonly known as the “Awol guide” for its author David “Awol” Miller. Those two sources helped Baldwin stay on route the entire way.

The Journey: Lonely Miles, Trail Family, and Spam Singles

Like many AT thru-hikers, Baldwin started his trip alone. Baldwin made friends easily and quickly earned the trail name “Shanty” for singing old-time maritime tunes while he hiked.

Andrew Baldwin carrying a red backpack and looking away from the camera toward a mountain.

On the northern stretch, the different paces and personalities of those he met were never quite right for forming a group. Baldwin mostly made miles alone. During those solo miles, the self-doubt that nudged Baldwin toward the trail in the first place became impossible to ignore.

“The trail amplifies everything. The big moments are amazing moments, but the bad moments are hell,” Baldwin said. “I was in a dark place when I started the trail and I really had to battle that voice.”

Throughout Maine, Baldwin missed his family and questioned why he was even on the trail to begin with. But he knew he had to keep moving, and eventually, those negative thoughts faded with the miles.

“When I climbed Mt. Washington, when I reached the summit, that was when that dark voice went away,” Baldwin said. “And I haven’t heard it since.”

Along the way, Baldwin met fellow southbounders Oracle, Earthshaker, and Dropsey. Each one appeared separately at different points along the trail. Baldwin first hiked with Dropsey for a few days in New Hampshire, then split off by himself and caught up with Earthshaker in Delaware Water Gap on the NewJersey/Pennsylvania border. He met Oracle on his first day in Maryland.

Andrew Baldwin with his trail family. — Dropsey, Oracle, Shanty, and Earthshaker.

All four of them ran into each other in Shenandoah National Park and started hiking together as a group. Within two or three days, Baldwin knew that he finally met his trail family.

“I don’t think I would have gotten nearly as much out of this hike if I didn’t have my trail family,” Baldwin said. “You’re out there for your own reasons, but then to be out there with other people that you can share this incredible, but at the same time miserable, experience with, it’s amazing.”

Two hikers looking away from the camera, at a valley with trees. — Oracle and Dropsey take in the view.

Baldwin’s adventure lasted 148 days with 125 days hiking on trail and 23 zero-mile days spent in town either visiting family or healing an injury and resupplying his food. Baldwin fueled his adventure with a complete thru-hiker diet, which consisted mostly of candy bars, beginning with Snickers and then making the switch to Twix.

“I probably ate 500 candy bars on this trip,” Baldwin said, not exaggerating. “Sometimes I ate five candy bars a day.”

Baldwin ate things and in quantities that he wouldn’t normally eat at home: Pop-Tarts, protein bars, Spam singles, mac and cheese, and ramen.

“My wife bought a dehydrator and sent me resupply packages along the way with her homemade meals,” Baldwin said. “My favorite was this cheesy mac she made with dehydrated beef and onions and pepper. It was a real treat and I looked forward to those the most.”

Baldwin said he tried to keep his pack light but didn’t obsess about the weight. He modified Ashli’s gear list from her thru-hike to fit his needs. Fully loaded with gear, food, and water, Baldwin’s pack topped 30 pounds at the start of the trip. By New Jersey, he learned what ounces to shave and his pack weight dropped to the mid-20s. But, toward the end of the hike, the weather turned and warm clothes for winter travel made his pack heavier again.

Some 400 miles from the end of the trail at Springer Mountain, Georgia, the horse-to-barn feeling set in.

“I could feel the end was near and I really opened it up and cranked out the miles,” Baldwin said.

Andrew Baldwin standing at the end point of the AT trail, holding a fist up in victory. — After five months on the trail, Baldwin completed his AT thru-hike at Springer Mountain, Georgia.

Life After AT

On December 5, 2019, Baldwin reached the trail’s southern-most point in Georgia and emerged with courage and confidence to chase his dreams.

Since his completion of the trail, the Baldwins have moved across the country to Salt Lake City and settled into a house again. Instead of returning to his job in the insurance industry, Baldwin tapped into his creativity and talents to launch his own business as a voice-over artist for audiobooks. He also created his own podcast, the History 10s.

Baldwin’s wife, Ashli, works as Operations Manager for Gaia GPS. When she mentioned to Gaia GPS CEO Andrew Johnson that Baldwin had returned from his thru-hike and was working as a voice-over artist, Johnson proposed that Baldwin host an outdoor podcast for Gaia GPS.

Thus, the Out and Back podcast was born, and Baldwin went to work interviewing interesting people who spend an extraordinary amount of time outside. In each episode, Baldwin draws from his experience on the trail to mine each conversation for that nugget of expert knowledge and experience that listeners can take with them and use on their own backcountry adventures.

Baldwin credits his experience on AT for emboldening him to take this new path in life.

“Looking back on it now, I realize there were times out there that I was soaking wet, freezing cold, really hungry, sore, and covered in bug bites, and I was more miserable than I had ever been in my entire life,” Baldwin recounted. “But without a doubt, the good moments outweighed the bad moments, one hundred to one, especially as my confidence and clarity began to grow.

“The trail helped me in so many ways to become the person I truly wanted to be, and if you think the AT might be a good thing for you to try, I highly recommend it. It might help you in more ways than you know.”

Oracle, Dropsey, and Earthshaker also completed their AT thru-hikes. Although they live in different parts of the country now, Baldwin considers them the closest friends that he has ever had. They keep in touch, almost daily.

Tune into the Out and Back Podcast, hosted by Andrew Baldwin and presented by Gaia GPS.
Follow Andrew Baldwin on Instagram.
Listen to Andrew Baldwin’s The History 10s podcast.

Mary Cochenour contributed to this story.

Have you used Gaia GPS in a unique way or on a wild adventure and want a chance to be featured? Reach out to stories@gaiagps.com with your story.

May 5, 2020

Adventures Gaia GPS How-To Newsletter

Tips for Planning your Solo Backpacking Trip

by Mary Cochenour March 19, 2020

written by Mary Cochenour

Solo backpacking can be the ultimate meditation experience. You can travel at your own pace, view beautiful scenery in solitude, and really get the chance to tune into your environment with minimal distractions. But, for some, venturing out to the backcountry alone conjures up visions of long, wide-eyed nights in the sleeping bag, wondering what is making that noise outside the tent?

Whether you’re committed to conquering solo backpacking by choice or forced to go alone because your trail partners can’t get time away from work, this article offers some tips to help you make the transition from backpacking with others to backpacking alone with confidence and ease. If you’re already backpacking solo, review these tips for additional ideas for safety and comfort.

Master Backpacking with Others First

If you’re just starting out with backpacking, spend a whole season, or longer, backpacking with others before trying a solo trip. Get your kit dialed and become familiar with how everything works. Get comfortable with camping in the backcountry and develop basic navigation skills with other people around before trying a trip alone.

Three backpackers hiking on a trail along side a bubbling creek with a rocky mountain in background.

Tap into your backpacking friends and family to mentor you through the beginning stages. If that’s not possible, look to outdoor clubs, groups, and guided trips to introduce you to backpacking. After you’re comfortable with group backpacking, you’ll be more prepared, both physically and mentally, to try solo.

Plan and Prepare at Home

With all of its benefits, backpacking solo has become wildly popular. In fact, more than 60 percent of hikers surveyed last year started their thru-hikes of the Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail alone. That’s thousands of people that hit the trail solo last year, and if they can do it, so can you.

The first steps to joining the solo ranks start at home. Use these tips to thoroughly research and plan your first solo backpack trip from the comfort of your couch. Knowing all you can about the area prepares you for your trip and eases any anxiety you might have about heading into the wild alone.

A woman backpacker holding and looking at a phone with a topographical map on the screen.

Select a Familiar Area

Choosing an area that you know well will boost your confidence when you’re hiking and camping alone. Start with an area that you’ve hiked many times before. If you’ve only hiked it with company, try a solo day trip before backpacking there by yourself. On your solo day hike, take note of all the major points of interest, such as creek crossings, trail junctions, potential campsites, and major landmarks like peaks and lakes. Track your hike using Gaia GPS and drop waypoints along the way for those notable points of interest. You can pull them up later when you head out on your solo backpack trip.

A desktop computer screen showing a topographical map on Gaia GPS website and a menu of waypoint options.

Choose a Well-Traveled Trail

If you’re feeling timid about being out in the backcountry alone, pick a high-use trail for your first time out. Seeing other hikers on the trail, hanging out at a lake, or camping nearby gives the sense that, although you are by yourself, you are not truly alone. If something goes wrong and you need assistance, you can bet another hiker will arrive shortly to give you a hand.

Another benefit of a busy trail is that you can and should wait for other hikers to come along before tackling any serious backcountry hazard. Crossing a swollen creek and traversing a steep snowfield are safer when you are with a buddy — even if they’re someone you just met a few minutes ago on the trail.

A man with an Osprey backpack facing away from the camera and looking at a mountain

Start Small

Starting out with a low-mileage trip will help you decide if you like solo travel without making a huge commitment. Plus, a manageable itinerary will set you up for success by increasing your chances of cooking dinner, setting up camp, and getting comfortable with the surroundings before the sun goes down.

Plan a route with daily mileage and elevation gains that are well within your reach and close enough to the trailhead that you could bail out in just a few hours if you decide to pull the plug on the adventure. And make sure you test out a series of one-night jaunts before taking on a multi-day hike. Ease into solo backpacking until you can be sure that you enjoy being alone outside.

Research the Terrain Online

Once you’ve selected an area that you’re comfortable with, go to gaiagps.com and pore over your favorite topo maps. Check out the surrounding landscape using satellite imagery. Get a good sense of the lay of the land, noting major landmarks, your planned campsite, trail junctions, and any side routes that you could use to bail out in case of an emergency. Create a waypoint for these important features and add notes to revisit later. Check for public tracks and, if you find one that matches your exact route, add it to your account. Finally, create a route of your planned hike and share that route with your friends and family so that people back home know your exact plan.

Next, look on blogs, Reddit groups, YouTube, and Vimeo for trip reports. Trip reports often contain images or videos that can give you a clue as to trail conditions, camping locations, and hazards like creek crossings or snowfields. Check in with relevant social media groups for current conditions. It’s amazing what you can find with a hashtag. Visit land agency websites for updates on conditions and permit requirements, call if you have questions.

Camp in a Designated Backcountry Campsite

If you want to be around other campers on your first night out alone, plan a trip to a national park that has designated backcountry campsites. Many parks — Glacier, Zion, and Mount Rainier, just to name a few — require backpackers to camp in designated sites and often these sites are clustered. These designated campgrounds are a good way to test out your solo camping game, but with the security of having other people within earshot.

Scope Out the Animals

Curb your fears about bears, mountain lions, and rattlesnakes by scoping out what animals live in the area you’ll be visiting. Search national park and forest service websites and call the ranger station for information about what animals you’d expect to see. For animals that concern you, find out what they look like, their tracks, the animal population numbers, their specific habitat, and any reports of human encounters. Also, find out what noises animals make in the area you are visiting. Owls, grouse, and elk in rut make significant noise in the backcountry and you’ll save a lot of worry inside the tent if you are familiar with their sounds.

Answering these questions will help you assess the risk of experiencing an animal encounter when you’re out on the trail alone. For example, you might learn that you will be traveling through bear habitat, but that the bear population is diminutive, mostly confined to the area’s lower elevation valleys, and there exists no prior history of human interaction. Knowledge can help you make decisions about where to camp in bear country and control your worry and vivid imagination.

A solo backpacker walking along a beach with cliffs in the background,

Pick the Perfect Time

The perfect time for solo backpacking is when the conditions are the most comfortable. Don’t plan to go in the rainy season, during peak bug levels, or in the late fall when there are minimal hours of daylight and cold temperatures. All of these situations will have you cooped up in your tent for long hours.

Instead, research the area and call the ranger station to find out if the bugs are on the decline. Look up weather patterns and pick the month with the least amount of average rainfall. Go when the days are long and bright if conditions permit.

Share Your Itinerary

Tell someone at home exactly where you plan to go. Give them all the details. Write down or send an email letting them know which trailhead you will start and finish from, where you plan to camp, and when you will notify them upon return to town, and when they should start to worry. Give them an exact date and time when they should call for help if you fail to contact them. Share your Gaia GPS recorded track with them. Have a plan and stick to it.

Learn the Skills to Stay Safe

Get First Aid Training

Take a wilderness first aid class before venturing out on your first solo backpack trip. Studies show that the top three backcountry injuries include soft tissue injuries, lacerations, and sprains while the top three illnesses include chest pain, dizziness, and diarrhea. Take a wilderness first aid class to prepare you to deal with a variety of medical emergencies should one arise. Knowing some first aid is beneficial to you and anyone you might come across in the wild who is sick or injured.

Take a Backcountry Navigation Course

Andrew Skurka teaching backcountry navigation at 11,000+ feet in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Solo hikers are more likely to get lost than hikers who are part of a group, according to one study conducted in Yosemite. Knowing how to read a map, use a compass, and understand electronic navigation will help you stay found in the backcountry. As a solo hiker, you’ll be making all the decisions on where to go and having the skills to navigate around the backcountry will boost your confidence outside even if you stick to a well-defined path.

Gear Considerations for Solo Backpacking

Go Lightweight

Backpacking solo requires the same gear as backpacking with friends. But without friends, there’s no chance of splitting up gear and your pack will be heavier when going solo. Those items you’re used to sharing, like a water filter, tent, first aid kit, and stove, you’ll be carrying on your own.

Adventure Alan camping with his 9-pound base weight.

Solo backpacking is a great opportunity to scrutinize your gear list and shave any unnecessary weight. Focus on dropping pounds with a lighter tent, sleep system, and backpack, and then move through the rest of your gear to determine if any ounces can be left behind. Ditch luxury items like a camp chair, heavy food items, and extra camera gear to keep your pack at a reasonable weight when soloing.

Get a Satellite Communicator

Invest in a good satellite communicator device. This device will allow you to send text messages outside of cell range. You can text your family at night to let them know your status. You can also press the SOS button and send a message for help if the need arises. The goal is to never have to use such a device, but having the capability to send for help in case of an accident is well worth the cost in both money and extra weight in your pack.

A woman hiker standing on a rock looking out into a foggy mountain valley.

Hike with Confidence

Many solo hikers are more concerned about encounters with people than run-ins with wild animals. Think through a plan on how you will act if you run into sketchy people in the backcountry. When approaching people you are concerned about, try sprinkling a little confidence in your step. Walk by them briskly, leaving no time for conversation.

If you get caught up in questions, be vague with your answers. Don’t tell strangers exactly where you plan to camp, how long you’ll be out on your trip, or that you are traveling alone. Have a fake story ready if someone who gives you the creeps starts asking too many questions. Be ready to tell them about your imaginary friends who are just a half-mile behind you, the made-up ranger who checked your permit 10 minutes ago, and make up a campsite location that is no less than 10 miles in the opposite direction from your planned stop.

Finally, don’t broadcast on social media where you will be spending your time alone in the backcountry.

An orange tent in a mountain valley with snowy peaks in the distance.

Camp with Purpose

Consider what makes you more comfortable: camping within earshot of other backpackers or finding an out-of-the-way spot where no one would stumble upon your campsite in the dark. If you like to be near people, choose popular destinations like lakes and river crossings for camps. However, listen to your gut instinct. If you feel uncomfortable camping around people, or you get to the high-traffic camping area and the people don’t seem like a crowd you can trust, load up on water and dry camp down the trail. Choose an isolated, elevated spot so that you can peer down on any person approaching your campsite.

A man sitting on a ledge looking out at a valley, a portion of his tent is in the foreground.

Get into camp well before dark so you have time to set up and watch the sun go down. Getting used to your surroundings in the fading light takes the mystery out of the darkness. Make a plan where you will go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Finally, keep a clean camp so you don’t attract animals.

Conquer Solo Backpacking with a Friend

Finding a friend to practice solo backpacking seems counterintuitive, but it works. Plan your hikes together at home but stay separate on the trail by starting two hours apart. Camp on different ends of the lake and agree to refrain from contacting each other unless an emergency arises. Plan to meet at the car at a certain time at the end of your hike for a quick debriefing on how the trip went.

Another way to hike solo with a friend nearby is to thru-hike an area. You start at one end of the hike, and your friend starts at the other end. Your paths cross somewhere in the middle of the hike, where you exchange car keys. You’ll be miles away from your friend for most of the trip, but knowing that you will meet a familiar face along the way provides encouragement and incentive to keep going forward.

March 19, 2020

App Updates Gaia GPS iOS New Features

Gaia GPS and Apple CarPlay Bring Outdoor Maps to Your Dashboard

by Mary Cochenour February 24, 2020

written by Mary Cochenour

Gaia GPS now connects with Apple CarPlay, bringing the best outdoor maps directly to your vehicle’s dashboard navigation screen. View all of your favorite Gaia GPS maps, from USFS topo to National Geographic Trails Illustrated, with or without cell phone service, and get turn-by-turn directions on off-grid adventures for any drivable saved route.

Whether you’re headed out on a multi-day overland route or searching for that hard-to-find trailhead for your next backpacking trip, CarPlay connectivity assists you with hands-free navigation that will keep your eyes on the dusty road ahead.

Display Your Favorite Gaia GPS Map Source

Dashboard navigation screen displaying the Gaia Topo map. — Gaia Topo displayed on the CarPlay navigation screen.

Download the Gaia GPS app from the App Store and get access to hundreds of outdoor map sources on your vehicle’s dashboard touchscreen. When you open Gaia GPS from your CarPlay enabled display, the newly redesigned Gaia Topo map will appear and pinpoint your exact location on the map. Hand curated and beautiful to pore over, the new Gaia Topo is free to use.

Dashboard navigation screen displaying a satellite imagery map. — Satellite imagery displayed on the CarPlay navigation screen.

To customize the map source, open Gaia GPS on your iPhone to choose from the hundreds of maps available with a premium membership. When in a national forest, try out the 2016 USFS map — a favorite with overlanders. Bring up National Geographic Trails Illustrated maps in most of America’s national parks for indispensable park information, or catch a birds-eye view of the terrain ahead with satellite imagery. Any available Gaia GPS map can be viewed on your dashboard screen … yes really.

Dashboard navigation screen displaying the National Geographic Trails illustrated map. — National Geographic Trails Illustrated displayed on the CarPlay navigation screen.

With your favorite map on display, use the touchscreen to zoom in and out on the map, pan or scroll the map in any direction, select and preview saved routes, and cancel navigation. Once you start driving, the map’s location marker pinpoints your progress as you blaze down a lonely dirt road or cruise a well-traveled scenic highway.

Turn-by-turn Directions on Saved Routes

Get turn-by-turn directions on your s aved routes in the Gaia GPS app and let voice commands guide you to your destination, no matter how far off-grid you plan to go. Turn-by-turn directions work even when you’re out of cell range or operating on airplane mode to conserve phone battery, making it that much easier to leave the pavement behind.

A National Geographic map displayed on a vehicle dashboard screen, showing directions to Zion Scenic Drive. — Turn-by-turn directions are available for driveable, saved routes within the Gaia GPS app.

Turn-by-turn directions are optimal for front country adventures too. You can create and save a sightseeing tour on park roads using a National Park Service Visitor map. Plan to hit all the park’s main attractions and never miss the turnout to that obscure viewpoint again.

How to Connect Gaia GPS with Apple CarPlay

To connect Gaia GPS with CarPlay, you will need a Gaia GPS account , an iPhone (iPhone 5 or newer) with the Gaia GPS app installed, and an Apple CarPlay-supported vehicle. CarPlay is becoming more prevalent as more than 500 vehicle models are now CarPlay equipped.

Hop inside the vehicle and synch your iPhone to CarPlay. Select the Gaia GPS app from the dashboard screen and tap the “Go” button. It’s really that simple.

February 24, 2020

Adventures How-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:

Case Study: Lost in the Colorado Backcountry
Essential Navigation Gear
Learning Basic Navigation Skills
Pre-trip Navigation Checklist
Navigating Group Dynamics
How to Stay On Track
How to Get Unlost
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:

Look at the terrain around you. Then, match nearby landmarks like peaks or streams to the topo lines on your map
Take bearings to each landmark.
Transfer those bearings to the map. Your location is where those lines intersect.
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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