Don’t let your weekend plans go up in smoke. Gaia GPS’s robust collection of weather maps can help you avoid current wildfires and find smoke-free skies. Learn how to use these (free!) wildfire, smoke, and air quality maps and find safer places to hike, bike, or camp.
hiking
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Join us in soaking up the last of summer by celebrating the holiday weekend outside! Between now and the end of Tuesday (11:59 pm PT), go on an adventure and add a photo waypoint to your Gaia GPS map for a chance to receive a $25 gift card to the Outside Shop! Don’t know how to add a photo waypoint to the map? No sweat. Read on to learn how to add photo waypoints and to make the most of waypoints in general. Happy adventuring!
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Fastpacking is the next evolution of wilderness trips for those who want to go farther and faster. Practically speaking, such an endeavor entails jogging the descents, shuffling the flats, power-hiking the hills, and eating a lot of snacks, all while carrying a minimalist pack. Here’s how to get started.
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Fifteen years ago, an owl swooped down to Mike Clelland with a message. That event changed the trajectory of his life, leading Mike to become a leading historian and author on the connection between highly charged owl encounters and UFO abduction. Yes, you read that correctly. Tune in to the newest episode of the Out and Back podcast and be prepared to never look at the world the same way again.
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Learn how to overcome your backpacking fears this week on the Out and Back podcast. Allison Boyle, the face behind the ultra-popular blog and hiking resource She Dreams of Alpine, lays out the big three fears newbie backpackers feel. She shares her tried and true strategies for overcoming them, as well as why almost everyone wants to back out of their trip right before they start. Plus, learn how she turned her passion for the outdoors into a career.
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The best — and safest — hikes start before you reach the trailhead. With a little advanced planning at home, you can know what to expect, find your way to the trailhead, and navigate the trails with ease. Check out this video to learn how to plan a hike using Gaia GPS.
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Trail running allows you to cover a lot of ground in a little time. This means you can reach new heights and sights and still be back in time for lunch. If you already hike, it’s not hard to make the transition to running. Here’s how to get started.
Making a great cup of coffee in the backcountry is tricky. You can enjoy a silky smooth cup from a french press, but you have to lug around the equipment and the messy grounds. Or you can settle for the convenience and featherlight weight of instant coffee, but that often tastes terrible. Tune in to the Out and Back podcast to hear pro thru-hikers Heather “Anish” Anderson, Hiking Viking, Adventure Alan, and Liz “Snorkel” Thomas settle this debate once and for all.
Hike, hunt, and offroad with confidence using the Public Land (US) and Private Land (US) maps. Both maps provide coverage for every state in the US so you can quickly and easily decipher public and private land, no matter where you are. Plus, we’ve added 1.5 million acres to the Public Land map to bring you the most comprehensive coverage available.
The trails are melting out, and it’s time to start planning spring and summer adventures. The USFS Roads and Trails layer makes finding your next route especially easy. Trails are color-coded so you can tell whether they’re mountain bike friendly, open to motor vehicles, or even allow horses. Plus, this layer shows trails and backroads that you won’t find on any other map.