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hiking

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

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

image of groups of amenity icons on Gaia Topo

Gaia GPS Hikes New Features

Discover Recreation Amenities with New Symbol Groups on Gaia Topo

by Julien Friedland April 15, 2020

written by Julien Friedland

Get a snapshot of the amenities in any recreation area with new symbol groups on Gaia Topo. Now you can view hotspots, including campsites, viewpoints, trailheads, and more in symbol groups, without zooming deeper on the map. Styled after popular outdoor recreation maps, Gaia Topo is the first global topo map to display point of interest symbol groups.

Before and after view of new symbol groups on Gaia Topo

As you scour the map on a broader scale, notice groups of icons displaying essential amenities. For example, campsites, lodging, restrooms, food, and gas symbols appear in clusters, indicating developed recreation areas. This makes it easy to identify the best places to set up camp or stop for a resupply. Alternatively, if you’d rather avoid crowds, plan to steer clear of the developed areas, as indicated by the map.

The point of interest groups provide a clear picture of what amenities exist while zoomed out on the map. Once you identify an area of interest, zoom in closer to see smaller groupings of amenities, or individual amenities by zooming more.

On gaiagps.com, you can click on any symbol group to automatically zoom closer and reveal other subgroups of amenities. Continue to click subgroups to fully expand all points of interest. The same function, ‘tap’ to zoom, is coming soon for iOS and Android.

Zoom in closer to explore different amenities in recreation areas.

To view symbol groups while you plan, set Gaia Topo as your base map on your Gaia GPS iOS or Android app or on gaiagps.com. Available to all users, Gaia Topo continues to provide the best tools for planning trips of every nature.

April 15, 2020

Professional endurance athlete Anton Krupicka trains on his gravel bike along a dirt road.

Adventures Featured Gaia GPS

How Six Professional Mountain Athletes are Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Abby Levene April 9, 2020

written by Abby Levene

Professional mountain athletes and guides are facing canceled races, maybe even entire race seasons, guiding trips, and speaking tours. Some of these outdoor experts are tapping into their resiliency in the mountains to survive sheltering at home during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Gaia GPS checked in with endurance athlete Anton Krupicka, ultra runner Clare Gallagher, mountain guide and backpacker Andrew Skurka, rock climber Hazel Findlay, mountain-trail-ultra runner Sage Canaday, and mountain runner Hillary Gerardi to learn how they are navigating this uncertain time. Whether locked down in France or avoiding crowded trails in Colorado, these professional athletes share a productive outlook on how they can work on their weaknesses and recharge for future goals.

Anton Krupicka

Professional mountain athlete Anton Krupicka rose to ultra running prominence by winning the iconic Leadville 100. The 100-mile ultramarathon crosses the rugged trails and dirt roads of Leadville, Colorado, in the thin air of the Rocky Mountains. Krupicka ascended through the fledgling sport by running insanely high mileage in a minimalist style: mostly shirtless, sometimes barefoot, and always sporting his flowing hair and beard. While injuries have thwarted his racing goals for the past several years, the mystique of Anton Krupicka has only grown.

Running finally started to click for him this spring. Injuries abated and Krupicka had his eyes set on qualifying for the iconic Western States Endurance Run. The 100-mile running race traverses California’s Sierra Nevada trails and attracts many of the best ultra-marathoners in the world. Krupicka aimed to qualify for Western States at one of the “golden ticket” races later this spring, where the top two racers receive automatic entries to the big dance. But the pandemic led to the cancellation of all the qualifying races, including the Western States itself. Krupicka had also planned on racing a slew of endurance off-road cycling races, which suffered the same fate.

Despite the derailment of his racing season, Krupicka is making the most of what circumstance and health allow. His endurance bike adventures and climbing, scrambling, and biking-to-run linkups prove just as ambitious as his running style. The pandemic simply presents another challenge for creativity and controlling what he can.

“The main thing I’ve done is forgotten about doing any more skiing this year,” Krupicka says. “I have also quit climbing, unfortunately.”

He rationalizes that these activities present too much risk of injury and hence potentially stressing the healthcare system further. When he trains outside, Krupicka shies away from trailhead bathrooms and tries to frequent less traveled trails.

“I think there’s a lot of people — myself included — feeling quite out of control,” Krupicka says. “So we all just try to hyper-control those things that we think we have power over, whether it’s rational or not.”

For Krupicka, that entails still getting outside in the ways that he can. He dialed his running training back a bit; “no more 25-to-35-mile long runs.” Instead, Krupicka re-focused on biking and mountaineering with hopes of tackling some long bikepacking routes this summer and high alpine traverses on foot.

As an introvert and advocate for exploring your backyard, Krupicka’s relatively hermit-like, simplistic lifestyle offers some wisdom for staying at home.

“Read a good book,” Krupicka recommends. He is currently enjoying Empire Falls. “Go outside for christ’s sake. Exercise is good. Don’t unnecessarily self-martyr. Be responsible. Exercise from your doorstep.”

Follow Anton Krupicka on Instagram.

Clare Gallagher

Professional ultra runner and Patagonia climate activist Clare Gallagher trains on the trails, dirt roads, and mountains surrounding her hometown of Boulder, Colorado. Or at least that’s the case when she’s home. Gallagher usually spends most of her springs and summers traveling around America and Europe for speaking engagements and races.

The pandemic led to the cancellation of Gallagher’s spring international speaking tour and goal race for the year: defending her title at Western States. Last year, Gallagher hammered the last five miles of the 100-mile trail race to hold off Brittany Peterson for the win. She recorded the third-fastest time — including men — for that last 5-mile segment. But the pandemic hit her harder on a more intrinsic level than canceled events.

“I wanted to quit running,” Gallagher says. “Running just didn’t seem important compared to everything else going on.”

Gallagher tried going on a run. The trails were crowded. She was exhausted. Her back hurt. Gallagher accepted those signals as sirens. She walked home and didn’t run for the rest of the week. Her attention turned to planting a garden and reading One Breath, a book about the sport of freediving. Gallagher signed up for a freediving course this winter to rekindle her love for the water. With the freediving course now canceled, Gallagher started practicing breath control at home.

“It is deeply meditative and relaxing,” Gallagher says of holding her breath for minutes at a time. “And challenging.”

A week into sheltering in place, Gallagher decided that quitting running wasn’t the solution after all. As time at home passed, she felt less tired and more motivated. She started to run again, albeit at a slower pace. She takes the time to read plaques alongside the trial that she has run by hundreds of times before.

“I’m trying to be present, grateful, and to stop and smell the tulips,” Gallagher says.

Gallagher also remains cognizant of social distancing etiquette and doing her part to make people feel safe on the trails.

“When I see someone walking up towards me on the trail, I shout I’m going to hold my breath!” she says, before sprinting around them with a large berth.

Gallagher believes this year probably won’t include any racing, and she’s okay with that. In fact, her face lit up at the prospect of tackling some big mountain days close to home, including running from Boulder to her family’s cabin in Montezuma, Colorado — some 70 miles away and across the continental divide.

“There’s some pristine wilderness back there that is relatively unexplored,” she says.

Follow Clare Gallagher on Instagram.

Andrew Skurka

Professional backpacker, runner, and mountain guide Andrew Skurka has welcomed hardships in non-pandemic life. Diving into long-distance thru-hiking in his 20s, Skurka helped pioneer the concept of light and fast backpacking. National Geographic and Outside named him “Adventurer of the Year” in 2007 and 2011, respectively. Since then, Skurka has developed a thriving guiding business. He takes clients on trips to Alaska, the Sierra, Utah, the Appalachians, and the Rockies with a focus on ultralight backpacking and backcountry navigation. But the pandemic took its toll.

“When the pandemic hit, I was deflated,” Skurka says. “This was going to be a banner year for my guided trip program — by the middle of February, 28 out of my 29 scheduled trips were sold out. It’s not looking like that anymore. At this time point, I’m just trying to be constructive and salvage what I can.”

While the guiding business slows down for now, Skurka devotes more attention to running. The 2:28 marathoner had been training for the Colorado Marathon in early May, which has been postponed and potentially canceled. He pivoted.

“I extended the training cycle for another five weeks, hoping that the REVEL Marathon in early June happens,” Skurka says. “My racing goals are modest this year. I’d simply like to get a strong Boston qualifier for the 2021 race — when I’ll be 40.”

Skurka hopes that his guided trips still happen later in the year. He moved his April and May trips to the fall. And he’s mentally prepared for his June and July trips to get canceled.

“This will pass eventually,” Skurka says. “But for now, follow the doctor’s orders, and play your part. The more buy-in now, the quicker we get through this and with the least disruption.”

Follow Andrew Skurka on Instagram.

Hazel Findlay

For the past 24 years, rock climbing has played a central role in professional climber Hazel Findlay‘s life. She quickly established herself as a competition climber, winning the British junior championships six times before turning her attention to rock. Findlay’s specialty lies in extremely challenging traditional climbing. She has numerous first ascents around the world, including the first female ascent of Once Upon a Time in the South West (E9 6c/5.13b R/X), Devonshire, South Wales and first ascent of Tainted Love (5.13d/8b R trad), Squamish, Canada.

But now, for the first time since age six, Findlay’s life does not revolve around climbing.

“I had to cancel all the coaching and speaking events I was working towards, which was a real shame,” Findlay says. “And of course when [the United Kingdom government] said we shouldn’t go climbing that was pretty sad.”

“My life right now is like a rainy day.”

Findlay had a lot of “adventure” climbing trips planned for this year. Instead, she currently weathers the pandemic at home in Pembrokeshire, North Wales.

She spends the morning training on a hangboard in her loft and at her computer working. In the afternoons, Findlay continues to work, train, and tackle various home projects like gardening, cooking, cleaning, and decorating her new house. Ironically, the darker moments set in when the sun comes out.

“With my coaching business, podcast, professional climbing and all the things I still want to learn, I have a never-ending list of jobs to do,” Findlay says. “When it gets sunny it feels very weird not to be going climbing.”

While Findlay worries for the health of family members and her coaching business, she focuses on what she can control:

“I’m trying to be kind to myself and not ask too much of myself.”

Follow Hazel Findlay on Instagram.

Sage Canaday

Professional mountain runner and coach Sage Canaday felt excited and optimistic about his ambitious international racing plans for 2020.

“Suddenly, my running and racing season seem quite a bit less important,” Canaday says. “I’ve always viewed a lot of endurance sports as being pretty selfish endeavors. That’s magnified now.”

When his hometown of Boulder enacted a shelter in place ordinance, Canaday effectively shut down his training. He hardly left his 420-square-foot apartment.

“With my goal races for the year all up in flux I totally lost motivation to train hard,” Canaday says. “But it was more than that. I’ve burned a lot of energy worrying about the fate of society and the long-term ramifications of this event.”

Stress is stress. Whether it’s from intense training or getting into “pointless” debates with those who believe the pandemic is a hoax, it takes a physical toll on the body. Canaday slowly upped his activity.

“But my main goal is just to stay as healthy as possible and to not gain a beer gut!” Canaday says.

He aims to run a moderate-to-low amount while focusing on things he previously ignored: working weaknesses like hip mobility and glute strength with indoor exercises. While it might seem like this is a good time to go to the wilderness to find yourself, Canaday presents a more responsible alternative.

“Perhaps now is more of a time to focus on looking within and inside oneself and grounding oneself physically and mentally,” he says.

Canaday rose to distance running prominence at only age 21, when he qualified for the 2008 Olympic Marathon Trials. For the first time in 13 years, he’s had the chance to take a step back and remember why he runs in the first place.

“As a professional athlete, you view running as a job,” Canaday says. “You throw out race performances and it gets back to why you really like and want to run, why you find meaning in running, or what it means in the context of your ever-changing life.”

He has also doubled-down on content creation for his popular Youtube channel. Recent videos range from the importance of ankle flexion for a longer running stride to covering iconic songs in his one-man-band.

When he’s feeling down, Canaday remembers the upside of this freeze on regular life: it’s good for the environment.

“I had become addicted to the luxury of international travel,” Canaday says. “And now I’m actually forced to reduce my carbon footprint. Finally!”

Follow Sage Canaday on Instagram.

Hillary Gerardi

American born and French bred, professional mountain athlete Hillary Gerardi calls the Alps surrounding Chamonix, France her training ground. The 2018 “Skyrunner Extra World Series” world champion planned to return to the Sky Running race circuit this summer in addition to other prominent mountain races around the world. When she’s not running, climbing, and skiing in the Alps, Gerardi works at the Crea Mont-Blanc, the research centre for alpine ecosystems, with her husband, Brad.

But on March 16, French President Emmanuel Macron imposed a national lockdown to help flatten the Coronavirus curve and to minimize accidents necessitating hospitalization. Residents may go outside once a day for one hour of exercise, and they must remain within a kilometer of their homes. In Gerardi’s village outside of Chamonix, regulations further limit citizens to only ascending 100 vertical meters. The heart of the trail running race season typically extends from April to November. This year, the pandemic forced race directors to cancel early season races, and the rest of the season remains up in the air.

Canceled races and quarantine restrictions have not stopped Gerardi from training. In fact, she has responded to the uncertainty and limitations with creative exuberance. Instead of long training runs, ski mountaineering, and climbing in the mountains, Gerardi bikes for an hour on her trainer set up on the deck. She then runs for an hour in “flower-petal-shaped” loops on the five roads around her house before hopping back on the trainer for another hour.

“I need more TV shows,” Gerardi laughs, citing the monotony of spinning in place.

Her work at Crea Mont-Blanc has shifted to home. Nonetheless, she swears by sticking to a routine. Now in the third week of lockdown, Gerardi wakes up, eats breakfast, gets dressed for the home office, and works for the first half of the day. She trains and rests in the afternoon.

“I find myself getting sad when I don’t give myself something to do,” Gerardi says.

No time in the mountains means more time to focus on neglected aspects of training: rest and strength work.

“I’ve wondered how good I could be if I truly rested like a professional athlete rather than ‘resting’ while working at my desk,” Gerardi says.

Capitalizing on this opportunity, she relaxes on the couch in the afternoons without her phone. To compliment her downtime, she grew diligent about strength work and physical therapy.

“My physical therapist is cognizant of what this time away from the trails will do to my balance and tendon strength,” Gerardi says. “So he’s having me jump rope and do balance drills so my body is ready for mountain adventures once the lockdown is lifted.”

While Gerardi can’t explore the Alps around her, she makes the best of her newfound free time by “armchair mountaineering” with her husband and mountain guide, Brad. Planning and dreaming give her motivation to ride the trainer while gazing at the Mont Blanc massif peering through the clouds.

“We’ve been pouring over maps, devising new link-ups, and pushing the limits of how fast we think we can tackle routes,” she says.

While she’s a bit disappointed about race cancellations, Gerardi also views the shutdown as a blessing in disguise.

“The last couple of years have been too focused on racing,” Gerardi says. “I was feeling a bit oppressed by the race schedule. Hopefully this summer I can finally focus on some personal running and climbing objectives in the mountains.”

Follow Hillary Gerardi on Instagram.

April 9, 2020

Gaia GPS New Features

Avoid Bug Bites with All-New Bloodsucker Security

by Abby Levene March 30, 2020

written by Abby Levene

Buds, blossoms, baby animals—spring means rebirth. But rebirth also means the rebirth of the most physically and psychologically tormenting time of the year: bug season.

Whether it’s black flies swarming around your head, mosquitoes stabbing your elbows, or horse flies chasing you down the trail, biting flies come in all forms, they are vicious, and they can ruin your adventure.

If you’ve been itching for a solution, we’ve got you covered.

Introducing our brand new, proprietary Bloodsucker Security™. Complete with a Mosquito Forecast map layer, live bug conditions tracking, auto-escape route technology, and a bite prevention alert system, Bloodsucker Security™ is your one-stop shop for making bug season suck a lot less.

Stay Out of Bug Bite Territory with the Mosquito Forecast Map

The easiest way to avoid getting bitten is simply to avoid regions with biting insects. That’s why we created the Mosquito Forecast map overlay. This map taps into data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control to provide projected mosquito densities across the world.

Just add the Mosquito Forecast overlay to your favorite basemap such as Gaia Topo or Gaia Overland to get a sense of where mosquitos lie in wait of your juicy flesh. Darker pink shows where mosquito density is highest, while purple shows where mosquitoes are less prevalent. No color on the map means you’re quite literally in the clear.

Whether you’re planning a backpacking trip, an overlanding expedition, or a family trip to a national park, refer to the Mosquito Forecast map to save you, your family, and your friends from the psychological and physical trauma associated with sitting at your campsite getting eaten alive through your sweatpants.

Outrun Blood Suckers with Live Conditions Tracking

Sometimes entering bloodsucker territory is unavoidable. But don’t despair. Use our live conditions tracking to see real-time mosquito density. Based on your speed, wind, time of day, and bug density, our smart algorithm will tell you exactly how fast you have to move to avoid getting eaten alive.

Hiking with a heavy pack and/or small children and can’t move fast enough? Don’t ditch them on the trail. Just hit “Find an Escape Route” and we will re-route you to safer ground.

Flee Flies with Auto-Escape Route Technology

If that swarm of mosquitos proves too dense and too hungry to outrun, find an escape route with our patented Auto-Escape Route Technology (AERT). Our live conditions tracking system automatically senses when you’re moving too slowly to avoid getting bitten. Then our smart planning tools systematically scour nearby trails to reroute you to safer ground, as fast as possible.

Adventure Smarter and Safer with the Bite Prevention System

Sick of climbing out of your tent in the morning for breakfast only to realize that you are the breakfast? We’ve got a solution that lets you say goodbye to sacrificing one for the team.

If you’re camping in bug territory or overlanding through a particularly bug-infested swap, never fear. Our Bite Prevention System will send you alerts telling you when to pull out the bug nets and bug spray and when it’s safe to come outside.

It’s BS!

Say goodbye to itchy nights with our brand-new BS technology, available with your Gaia GPS Premium membership. Premium also gives you access to the perfect map for every adventure. And stay found with offline access around the globe.

March 30, 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

Gaia GPS New Features

Use Coordinates to Save Waypoints on gaiagps.com

by Julien Friedland September 16, 2019

written by Julien Friedland

Search and save coordinates as waypoints on gaiagps.com. If you need to paste in coordinates from another website or type in coordinates from one of your paper maps, gaiagps.com now has you covered.

This feature is useful for all sorts of Gaia GPS users, from casual hikers to search & rescue personnel.

Now, if you paste or type in coordinates in the search box, that will both center the map, and let you save the location as a waypoint if you wish. Coordinates are recognized in many formats allowing you to easily plug in your desired locations.

The mobile app (for iOS/Android) has always allowed you to both tap the map and manually enter coordinates, and now you can do the same on the website.

Here’s an example of how to save a waypoint using UTM coordinates.

Using coordinates to make waypoints was one of the most requested features on our forums. After launching an improved version of the main map, building this feature was the next update we wanted to make. Thank you for helping us improve Gaia GPS with your feedback.

Test out the new feature and overall map page and let us know what you think.

Try it Now

For more detailed instructions and the most up-to-date information on using coordinates to save waypoints with Gaia GPS, read this help article.

September 16, 2019

Adventures Featured Gaia GPS How-To

Winter Hiking: 10 Things to Remember On Your Next Trip

by Corey Buhay January 16, 2019

written by Corey Buhay

Winter hiking might just be the fourth season’s best kept secret. Don’t let a chilly forecast keep you indoors. Learn the facts, and use them to master your gear, fueling, and layering systems. Do that, and you can have just as much fun winter hiking as you would in summer. Honest.

Capitalize on the fourth season’s peace, solitude, and snowy landscapes by remembering these 10 winter hiking tips next time you take on a cold-weather adventure.

1. Hot cocoa is actually a winter safety essential.

Your body needs plenty of water for efficient temperature regulation. When you’re well-hydrated, your blood stays thin, which makes it easier for your heart to pump it through the tiny capillaries in your fingers and toes. If you’ve ever spent time exercising in the cold, you know it can be tough to motivate yourself to stay hydrated when all you’ve got is a half-frozen Nalgene. Instead, pack an insulated bottle with hot tea or cocoa.

Because it’s an effective mood booster and way to coax in some extra calories, cocoa mix is actually a recommended item for many search and rescue kits, and a documented tool for helping winter rescue victims cope in emergencies.

Pro tip: If you do carry a water bottle while winter hiking, remember water freezes from the top-down. Store your bottle upside-down in your pack to keep the lid from freezing shut.

2. There’s no such thing as bad weather—just bad gear.

If you find yourself cold or wet on a day hike, don’t blame the weather: You might just be wearing the wrong things. The biggest step you can take to stay safe and comfortable while winter hiking is to choose the right materials and really dial in your layering system. Wet or sweaty clothes can sap warmth from your skin, and in winter, that can result in hypothermia even in moderate temperatures. To keep yourself warm and dry, opt for plenty of thin layers so you can optimize your body temperature no matter how fast or slow you’re moving.

At the very least, pack a windproof layer, a waterproof shell in case of precipitation, and a fleece or light jacket to go under your shell. Select wool or synthetic materials for everything from your baselayers to your hat, gloves, and socks, and consider adding gaiters to seal out snow and a scarf or Buff to seal in heat. Unlike cotton, wool and synthetics retain warmth even when they’re wet. It’s also smart to pack an insulated “crisis puffy” in case of unexpected drops in temperature, as well as extra gloves or socks on long winter hikes.

3. Batteries die faster in the cold.

If you’re using Gaia GPS to navigate and want to make sure your phone lasts in the cold, keep it in a pocket close to your body to keep the battery warm when it’s not in use. For other electronics, consider using lithium batteries, as they’re lighter, more efficient, and typically perform better in extreme temperatures than alkaline.

(Note: Lithium batteries are a great choice for many uses, but not all. For example, most avalanche beacon manufacturers recommend using alkaline batteries, as a lithium battery’s remaining charge is harder for beacons to measure.)

4. Traction and flotation are essential for safe travel.

You wouldn’t drive on packed snow with summer tires, would you? Think of your winter hiking footwear the same way. If your route carries you across steep slopes, boilerplate, ice, or no-fall zones, consider bringing crampons and an ice axe (and know how to use them). To negotiate packed snow or even just a few slick spots on lower-consequence slopes, consider traction devices for your shoes like Microspikes or Yaktrax, as well as a pair of ski or trekking poles. If the forecast calls more than a few inches of fresh snow, you’ll need flotation, as well: Bring snowshoes or backcountry skis to save yourself some post-holing.

5. Walking through snow will take twice as long.

Traveling through even just a few inches of unpacked snow can increase your energy expenditure by up to 2 to 3 times what you’d need to hike the same trail without snow, and that means hiking slower—think one mile per hour or more. Even with snowshoes, you should budget for a longer and more strenuous day than you’d otherwise have in the summer.

If you’re in a higher latitude, you’ll be even tighter on time due to shorter days. Look up sunrise and sunset times before you plan your hike, set a hard-and-fast turnaround time, and start full-day trips before dawn to make sure you don’t get caught in the dark. (Bring a headlamp just in case.)

6. Frostbite and hypothermia can sneak up on you.

Hypothermia can strike in temperatures as high as 50°F, and many people who get frostbite fail to notice it until it’s too late (it’s easy for numb feet to stay out of sight and out of mind). Know the symptoms before you head out, and bring the right gear to keep your fingers and toes comfortable and safe in the cold.

If you notice you’ve got chilly toes even in thick, waterproof boots, take a look at the fit: Sometimes thick socks can impair circulation just enough to keep hot blood from flowing through. Try thinner socks, or sizing up your boots to accommodate your winter-weights.

Also be sure to keep your feet dry: Long days in wet boots can result in immersion foot, or trench foot, which takes longer to develop than frostbite but can also cause lasting damage if left untreated.

7. Winter navigation is a whole different ball game.

Even familiar trails are bound to look different in winter, either because of snow or just the visual differences of fallen leaves and bare branches. Download maps and routes in Gaia GPS before you head out, just in case. Be sure to reference the Snowfall Forecast overlays, which will show NOAA’s forecasts for snow accumulation up to 72 hours in advance. Always bring a map and compass as backup.

8. On average, temperatures drop 3 to 5°F per 1,000 feet in elevation.

This is a good rule of thumb, and it makes sense: The higher the altitude, the colder the air. However, winter weather can be unpredictable. Check the forecast before you go, and pack for the lows, not the highs. Use a weather resource like mountain-forecast.com, which shows the expected temperatures and wind speeds at the tops of mountains as well as at the bottom. If you can’t find a detailed elevation forecast for your area, do some rough math: If it’s 40°F at the trailhead and your hike’s high point is 2,000 feet above that, make sure you have layers to keep you warm down to 30°F.

9. Snow can reflect up to 80% of the sun’s rays.

In most conditions, the worst you’ll come home with is a pretty serious goggle tan. But on sunny days above treeline, all that reflected light can cause serious sunburns and even snow blindness, a type of UV damage to the eyes that can impair vision for up to several days after exposure. Wear sunscreen, UV-blocking chapstick, and polarized shades or glacier glasses with full coverage.

10. Quick-burning carbs warm you up the fastest.

Constantly adding fuel to the furnace is one of the best ways to stay warm in the winter. Carbohydrates metabolize the fastest, giving you a quick burst of energy and warmth. Munch on high-carb snacks like potato chips, crackers, and candy bars throughout the day. Mix in high-fat foods like nuts, chocolate, summer sausage, and cheese, which provide more consistent, slow-burning energy.

Whatever you bring, make sure it resists freezing and is easy to eat on the go. And make sure it tastes good: Winter hiking should be fun, and it’s hard not to have fun when there’s chocolate involved.

January 16, 2019

Gaia GPS Hunting New Maps

Use the Roadless and Trailless Areas Overlays to Find Solitude at a Glance

by Corey Buhay November 19, 2018

written by Corey Buhay

Next time you need to get away from it all, really get away with Gaia GPS’s new Roadless Areas overlay. Or, go even deeper with the Roadless and Trailless Areas overlay.

Maybe you’re looking for a high mountain stream that hasn’t been fished out, a piece of the whitetail season opener you can call your own, or backcountry water ice begging for a first ascent. Or maybe you’re just after deep-woods quiet and down-valley views uncrossed by asphalt.

Whatever the reason, use these overlays to leave the crowds behind. Apply the Roadless Areas overlay to your favorite base map to chart an on-trail course far from roads of any kind, and use Roadless and Trailless Areas overlay to find land trafficked only by wildlife.

How It Works

Based on trail and road data from the Gaia GPS Topo base map, the Roadless Areas Overlay uses gradient shading to indicate how far any given spot is from the nearest road, and the Roadless and Trailless Areas further bounds that data by limiting more darkly shaded areas to places that are far from footpaths as well.

How to Use It

Available for both iOS and Android users with Premium Memberships, and on gaiagps.com, both the Roadless Areas overlay and the Roadless and Trailless Areas overlay can be viewed while connected to the internet or while you’re off the grid and out of service.

From the Map Sources menu, navigate to the Feature/Weather Overlays category. Add either the Roadless Areas overlay or the Roadless and Trailless Areas overlay atop your basemap of choice.

The transparency is completely adjustable, but starting with 100% opacity makes it easiest to visualize distances. At that setting, opaque orange indicates that an area is two miles or more from the nearest road and/or trail. Lighter orange shading indicates areas that are at least 0.25 mile or more from those features.

Then, reduce transparency to around 50% (as shown above) for the best visibility while route planning.

A Note on Off-Trail Hiking

Before you venture off-trail, make sure you’re exploring on public land where off-trail hiking is permitted. Pro tip: Add the Public Land layer (in the Premium Overlays category of the Map Manager) for quick reference, and double-check regulations with your local land manager.

A Note on Safety

Use these maps to seek out your next dose of true wilderness, but use the same caution you would in any backcountry situation. The farther you wander from roads and trails, the more difficult it is to reach help in case of an emergency. Brush up on your first-aid and wilderness self-sufficiency skills before you head out, and consider taking an emergency communication device if you’re wandering deep into unknown terrain. No matter how far you want to go, Gaia GPS provides the maps to get there. It’s up to you, however, to get yourself out.

November 19, 2018

Gaia GPS

The 9 Most Popular Hiking Maps in Gaia GPS

by Angela Crampton June 22, 2018

written by Angela Crampton

Start navigating trails near you this summer with the 9 most popular hiking maps in Gaia GPS.

Every map contains unique characteristics that offer different tools for navigation. Some show distance grids or points of interest, while others heavily focus on features like land shading, topographic information, and elevation. The maps you choose can play different roles in hike planning and preparation.

For a refresher course on reading a map, check out How to Read a Topo Map.

Add and View New Map Sources

First, watch below for a quick review on how to find and add more map sources in Gaia GPS for iOS. If you use an Android device, click here to watch an Android specific tutorial.

The Most Popular Hiking Maps

Gaia GPS offers over 250 maps in total. The below hiking-specific maps get added more often than any other hiking sources.

Gaia Topo

Available for free to all users, Gaia Topo provides a worldwide topographic map based on OpenStreetMap, styled like USGS topographic maps. Gaia Topo offers a functional and beautiful worldwide map with extraordinary detail at all scales and comes optimized for display on mobile devices.

Available in both feet and meters, the map also prominently depicts peak elevations, points of interest, parks, campgrounds and more.

USGS Topo

USGS Topo illustrate classic topographic maps for the U.S., from the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The USGS prints wider index contour lines for easy visibility, and typically measures maps in feet. Contour intervals vary by map, depending on the area’s relief.

Often referred to as quadrangle maps, the most used USGS topographic maps have a scale of 1:24,000 and cover 7.5 minutes of longitude by 7.5 minutes of latitude. The quads get scanned into digital files and seamed together into one continuous quilt, making them potentially less crisp and clear than modern topographic maps based on OpenStreetMap (OSM).

Learn how to read a USGS Topo map.

NatGeo Trails Illustrated

One of the most trusted and popular recreation maps available for the United State’s favorite outdoor destinations. The National Geographic Trail Illustrated maps include detailed topographic information, clearly marked trails, recreational points of interest, and navigational aids.

The Gaia GPS team has worked hard at adding more National Geographic maps to the catalog since the first release. New long-distance trail maps like the Appalachian Trail and John Muir Trail gives thru-hikers access to maps on their smartphone. Available with Premium Membership.

World Imagery

Created by ESRI, the World Imagery base map provides satellite and aerial views of the world. Most people who use maps to navigate understand the importance of using satellite imagery to get an understanding of what the terrain looks like. Satellite maps make exploring a little simpler than using a contour map alone. Make sure to research when the satellite images were last updated. Available with Premium Membership.

US Shaded Relief

The World Shaded Relief overlay from ESRI provides worldwide coverage and when combined with Gaia GPS base maps, produces a topographical map with 3-dimensional (3D) styling. Pair US Shaded Relief overlay to your favorite topographic map and adjust the transparency for map details. Available with Premium Membership.

NeoTreks Land Use

The layer shows high-detail ownership boundaries for federal, state, local, and municipal lands, as well as private inholdings. NeoTreks Land Use display topographic maps for the U.S. with land cover detail and hillshading. The map marks more than 250,000 trails. Available with Premium Membership.

Canada’s Backroad Mapbooks

Backroad Mapbooks’ award-winning map source provides a dynamic scale topographic base map for all areas of Canada. The map includes road networks for all major highways and freeways, arterial, collector and residential roads. It also includes industry and resource backroads and winter access.

In addition to roads, the maps include elevation contours with hillshading, land and water features, and other land uses such as parks, conservation and wilderness areas, recreation areas, Crown Land and Public Land Use Zones, First Nations Reserves, Department of National Defense Lands and more. Available with Premium Membership.

SwissTopo

SwissTopo details beautiful handmade cartography. SwissTopo features elevation shading and contour lines, and emphasizes peak and range names. These maps of Switzerland are perfect for hiking, skiing, and planning trips in the Alps. Available with Premium Membership.

France IGN Topo

Similar to USGS topos, France IGN Topo maps provide beautiful, accurate, hand-drawn maps. Maps include points of interest, landmarks, contours, roads, and huts (or rifugio). The contour details allow outdoor enthusiasts to explore the various mountain ranges within France, along with navigating city sights and roads. Available with Premium Membership.

Check out a complete list of Gaia GPS maps and overlays here.

Before You Go Hiking

After testing all the maps, don’t forget to create a route to follow, download the map offline, or print a paper copy before you start your hike.

June 22, 2018

Gaia GPS

How to Find the Best Hikes for Viewing the Northern Lights

by Angela Crampton March 22, 2018

written by Angela Crampton

You’ve seen the photos of green lights dancing around the night sky and want to view the northern lights yourself. The forecast predicts clear skies and high visibility. You need to get out of the city’s light pollution but need to plan where to go.

Photo by Matt Lamers

What causes auroras?

Space.com explains the science behind the auroras natural wonder. Storms on the sun propel solar charged particles to the solar system. When the particle stream crosses Earth, Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere react. The particles join with atoms and molecules causing the atoms to light up.

Learn more about the science behind auroras here.

1. When and where to go

Photo by Jonatan Pie

Whether you plan a northern lights trip or chase the local forecast near you, you’ll need dark skies–the closer to the winter solstice the better.

High latitudes, like Alaska, Norway, Iceland and Canada have the greatest chances since they are close to the Arctic circle. The lesser viewed aurora australis, or southern lights, appear in remote parts of Antarctica but can sometimes be seen from New Zealand and southern parts of South America.

Tip: Focus on the destination first and northern lights second. Don’t plan an entire trip around seeing the northern lights. Weather is unpredictable and you may be disappointed.

2. Use aurora and weather forecasts

Photo by Nelly Volkovich

Similar to weather forecasts, apps (like My Aurora Forecast and Flowx Smart Weather) and websites (like NOAA.gov and Geophysical Institute) now provide forecasts on the aurora visibility and where the northern lights may appear. Combine the northern light forecasts with cloud coverage predictions to ensure the skies are visible during the light show.

Check the moon cycle. Planning a trip during a full moon isn’t optimal. Snow is reflective and the moon will brighten up the surroundings, which makes it good for night landscape photography to expose the foreground but bad for sky photography. Don’t only look at the moon cycle but the rise and set times to know how to avoid the moon’s light pollution.

3. Read a map to find the best viewing potential

Photo by Uroš Jovičić

Time to read a map and figure out the logistics after finding a weather window.

Line of sight to northern horizon

Search the map for features where you’ll have a clear view of the northern horizon and are away from light pollution. Learn how to read a topo map to gain a better understanding of terrain.

Make sure you understand the map features indicating ridgelines and valleys. Navigate out of valleys and find ridgelines or peaks for vantage points.

Preview the surroundings: Satellite overlay

Scan maps and overlays, including satellite views, to ensure trees and mountains won’t block the horizon. Seek alpine landscapes above the treeline to maximize line-of-sight. Try and find the date the satellite map was created to help understand how relevant the data.

Tree coverage: USFS Timber Harvest overlay

Use USFS Timber Harvest premium overlay to find forest lands harvested any time since the mid 1800s. Play with the overlay to find areas that may not have as much tree coverage to ensure you have clear views.

4. Get Outside

The aurora forecast app notified you about a chance for the northern lights to be present near you. All your planning shows clear skies and new moon giving you a window to get outside.

Take a hike

Not all hiking trails are equally the same. Some trails meander through forests without wide sweeping views or stay in valleys. Try finding a familiar trail that has clear views, it also helps with navigation since you’ll be hiking in the dark.

Use Gaia GPS to search for public hikes near the area you want to go. Don’t follow the routes blind. Dig into the terrain more with the map layers mentioned above and below to ensure it is the right trail for the adventure.

Forest roads: USFS Motor Vehicle Use Maps overlay

Being close to your car near a remote trailhead keeps you more flexible than hiking. Park for a view where the lights should appear and stay inside away from the brisk wind until a glimpse of activity on the horizon.

The USFS MVUM premium overlay on Gaia GPS provides a starting point for finding the road less traveled.

Consider turning off the dome lights and headlights to avoid damaging night vision. You’ll also make friends if you aren’t alone.

5. How to see the northern lights

Photo by Vincent Guth

You did your research and found the perfect location to sit back and enjoy the aurora lights. Unlike the long-exposure photos you see across the internet (and in this blog post), the lights may be hard to find if you don’t know what you’re looking for. At first you think your eyes are deceiving you until you realize that small glimmer of light on the horizon may actually be the northern lights.

Still not sure? If you have a camera with long exposure and tripod, set it up to see if lights appear in the frame (it doesn’t have to be in focus to check).

Sit back and enjoy the show.

6. Stay warm

The sun set and the air is frigid. Unless you plan on doing a cardio workout and being continually on the move, you need to make sure to stay warm while in position to see the show.

Bring big puffy jackets and long underwear. Ok, it may be a little extreme but staying warm will help you focus on the views and less about the atmosphere. Here are some tips on how to layer for winter hiking. Don’t forget that jumping jacks or cardio every so many minutes will keep the blood pumping and your body warm.

While taking photos of the northern lights or staying still, consider bringing a form of insulation (cardboard or a sit pad) to either sit or stand on. Keep your feet warm with wool socks and insulated or waterproof boots.

Mittens decrease dexterity but allow you to ball-up your fingers. Consider wearing liner gloves under an overmit. When you need to use your fingers, take off the overmits.

7. Planning your trip

Photo by Bjørn Are Andreassen

Flights during off-season or winter months can be less expensive than visiting the destination in the summer. Same goes for hotels and rental cars. Set up alerts from your home airport to various northern light destinations and monitor flight deals to keep the costs down. Some airlines have provided package deals to include flights, hotel, and tours.

Depending on your travel style, consider booking northern light specific tours in the evening. Tours allow you to optimize where you go and takes away from additional planning on where to go. Plus, you don’t have to worry about driving in winter conditions (icy or snowy roads). If you plan on booking a tour, consider finding accomodation close to the pick up location. Bonus if your tour picks you up at your hotel.

Unlike vacations, a northern lights trip may not leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Don’t expect to get much sleep as you plan your evening events.

Final thoughts

If you’re located in the northern hemisphere, consider downloading a forecast app that will notify you when the aurora will be seen near you. Pair a forecast app with Gaia GPS to find the best place to view the lights. Oh, and don’t forget to download the maps offline before you go.

March 22, 2018

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