Knowing how to read a topographic map is the foundation to any backcountry adventure. Visualize the rise and fall of the land, and “see” the depths of canyons, the location of boggy meadows, and the height and shape of a mountain. Learn how to read topo maps like a pro.
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how to
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Come for the unparalleled accuracy and detail. Stay for the handwritten guide notes. Here’s how the most trusted and popular recreation maps from National Geographic Trails Illustrated can take your adventures to the next level.
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Cold weather is your phone battery’s nemesis. These tricks will help you save your phone’s juice so you can keep Gaia GPS up and running.
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Looking for a new hobby, erhm, way of life in 2023? If you enjoy getting off the beaten path, overlanding might be for you. Learn exactly what overlanding even is, what an overloading route looks like, and the type of vehicle and equipment you need. Plus, get tips for planning your first trip.
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As our community dreamed up more routes, downloaded more maps, and covered more ground than ever before, our team remained hard at work making Gaia GPS even better for your adventures. Explore the top maps and features released in 2022.
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Gaia GPS is such a powerful mapping and navigation tool that even we’ll admit there’s a little bit of a learning curve to mastering its breadth and depth. Take our free, brand-new course to get the most out of the app—and save time on the trail.
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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.
From planning your route to navigating in the field, Gaia GPS can take your backcountry skiing to the next level. Gaia GPS Group Product Manager and avid backcountry splitboarder Devin Lehman demystifies the process. Join him for a tour of Mount Bachelor and learn how to use Gaia GPS on your own winter adventures.
Maps like slope angle shading, topos, and satellite imagery can help you plan safer backcountry tours—if you know how to use them. Learn a few ways you can use maps as one more tool to mitigate risk and help you avoid avalanches this winter.
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!