Tag:

safety

Gaia GPS

Find Snow-Free Trails with the Snow Depth Map

by Julien Friedland
written by Julien Friedland

With record-breaking snowfall coating much of the mountain west, everyone from early-season PCT thru-hikers to day trippers are asking the same question: how much snow is on the trail? The answer could have far-reaching consequences, from the gear you bring, to modifying your route, to skipping sections of the trail entirely.

While we can’t magically melt the snow for you, we can give you a very good estimate of how much of the white stuff is on any given part of the trail right now. See how much snow is on the trail with our Snow Depth map.

Inspired by a thru-hiker looking to track snow depths along the Pacific Crest Trail with Gaia GPS, the Snow Depth map assists with planning journeys of all sizes. Now hikers and outdoor adventurers can examine how many centimeters of snow exist in specific areas by referencing color-coded indicators of coverage.

SNODAS Sourced Data

The NOAA National Weather Service’s National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center (NOHRSC) Snow Data Assimilation System (SNODAS) source all data for snow depth values. The SNODAS modeling and data assimilation system was developed by NOHRSC to gather information from satellite, airborne platforms, and ground stations to predict snow depths. Climatologists, ecologists, hydrologists, and other professionals rely on the data and now adventurers can too.

Use Cases for Route Planning

When referencing snow depths, remember that estimates are not based on actual observations, but product model output. These data predictions are best for checking seasonal snow-cover rather than exact snowfall totals. However, snow depth totals are updated every 24 hours by both NOAA and Gaia GPS.

If you’re looking to find snow totals for a storm overnight or specific regions, reference your local climate center or weather source. SNODAS recommends American Association of State Climatologists, NOAA Regional Climate Centers, and NOAA National Climatic Data Center. Pair Snow Depth overlays with Snowfall Forecast and Slope Angle overlays to gather more information for backcountry travel.

How to Add the Snow Depth Map

The Snow Depth map is available with a Premium Membership. To add this map, visit the Feature/Weather Overlays map source categories and add “Snow Depth.” Access the legend by tapping the info icon in the left corner of the map screen of your phone or hovering over the layer on gaiagps.com

Get the Snow Depth map with a Premium Membership. Premium also unlocks the full 300+ map catalog and lets you download your maps to use out of cell service.

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A backcountry skier skis up a skin track towards a cabin. Jagged peaks rise up in the distance.
Gaia GPS

Gift a Memorable Outdoor Experience This Holiday Season

by Abby Levene
written by Abby Levene

Let’s face it, outdoor lovers love to be outdoors. Cut to the chase and give a gift that lets someone do what they love. From travel, to education, to safety, there are numerous (COVID-friendly) experience gifts that can help a loved one have fun outside. Plus, gifting an experience means you don’t have to deal with the hassle of fighting crowded shops and schlepping packages to UPS.

With these considerations in mind, here are some of the best experience gifts this year for outdoor lovers and adventurers.

National Parks Pass, $80

The big walls of Yosemite loom out of red and green trees in the valley below.

Give the gift of unlimited access to America’s public lands with a national parks pass. The “America the Beautiful — the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass” unlocks the door to over 2,000 federal recreation sites. The pass covers entrances fees to national parks and national wildlife refuges, plus day use fees at national forests and grasslands, and lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Purchase a national parks pass through the USGS website or REI. This pass is valid for a full year from the month of purchase. It covers a car full of people (the pass owner and three accompanying adults). If you’re gifting a parks pass to a senior, you’re in luck! Seniors can get an annual pass for $20, or a lifetime pass for $80. There is no entry fee to any of these places for children ages 15 and under.

Alternatively, encourage local exploration through gifting a State Parks Pass. Many states offer a pass that covers entry fees to state parks. These passes quickly pay for themselves after just a few visits. Note that in Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, entrance to state parks is free.

Safer & Stress-free Backcountry Skiing, $350 – $600

A backcountry skier skins up a track. Snow-covered plains sprawl out behind her.

This winter is shaping up to be a crazy season in the backcountry. Get out there safely and learn how it’s done at this one-of-a-kind backcountry ski resort. Bluebird Backcountry is a Colorado ski area without chairlifts. The backcountry ski area allows skiers and splitboarders to enjoy all the perks of uphill travel: no lift lines, powder caches, and a quality workout — but with much less risk than a typical backcountry environment. And they don’t have to stress about finding a safe backcountry zone. The resort operates on Bear Mountain, on the Continental Divide near Rabbits Ears Pass and Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

The cost of your day pass includes the safety net of having ski patrol available for emergencies, enjoying fresh tracks on avalanche controlled slopes, and a base lodge and warming hut with food and beverages services inside. Guests will delight over ample parking and have the option of camping on site. With over 1,200 acres of avalanche-evaluated terrain, skiers have plenty of space to explore and score coveted first tracks. Plus, skiers get access to 3,000 additional acres of backcountry skiing if they hire a guide. Avalanche courses are also available.

If you want to go all in, you can gift a season’s pass. If that’s too committing, Bluebird offers single day, 4-pack and 10-pack day pass packages. They also offer rental gear. Check out the options here.

Snowshoe Tour, $50+

Two pairs of feet in snow shoes lying on the snow, with a lake and snow-capped peaks in the distance.

Consider a snowshoe tour for the person who wants to make the most of winter wonderland without getting on skis. Snowshoe tours are available pretty much anywhere snow falls. Many involve hot beverages, and sometimes even a gourmet meal. Destinations like Yellowstone National Park offer a multi-day snowshoe traverse. Check other national parks near you for interpretive tours offered on snowshoes.

Avalanche Safety Training Course, $600 – $700

What gift says “I care about you” quite like the gift of safety? An avalanche safety training course is essential for anyone who wants to get into the backcountry this winter. Skiers, splitboarders, snowmobilers, snowshoers, winter hikers, and climbers will appreciate learning about how to stay safer in the snow. And, let’s be honest, this gift is equally about giving you some peace of mind when your loved one heads for the snowy backcountry this winter season.

A course from AIARE, the leading avalanche safety education organization, will help teach you how to make better decisions in avalanche terrain. You’ll also learn how to prepare and carry out a backcountry trip, understand basic decision making while in the field, and learn the avalanche rescue techniques required to dig up someone buried under snow. Find an AIARE course near you.

Call for Help from Anywhere on Earth: Satellite Communicator, $200 – $350

Okay, this gift is cheating slightly — it involves a physical object. But by keeping you connected to the outside world and only one button away from a rescue, the true gift is one of safety and communication. Never worry about cell service in the backcountry again when you have a satellite device on hand. Brands like ZOLEO pair with an app on your smart phone to let you send and receive messages anywhere on earth. Most importantly, the SOS button puts you in touch with the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center within a matter of seconds, who will coordinate a rescue if necessary.

If the someone you have in mind already owns a satellite device, you can gift the service fee for a month, a year, or as long as you wish. Check out our satellite communication device guide here, complete with a price comparison, and cash in on a special offer from ZOLEO offered through the end of 2020.

Wilderness Course, $75+

Andrew Skurka teaches backcountry navigation with map and compass in Rocky Mountain national Park. He stands in a meadow facing a group of people sitting on the ground.
Andrew Skurka teaches backcountry navigation with map and compass in Rocky Mountain national Park.

Acknowledge and support someone’s goals with a navigation class, ultralight backpacking course, or a wilderness first aid class.

Navigation classes teach you how to confidently move through the wilderness. Learn how to route find, use a compass and topographical maps, read an altimeter, and enhance your terrain awareness. If you want to lighten your pack load, go further and faster, or simply minimize backpacking stress, an ultralight backpacking course may be for you. Take a wilderness first aid class and have more fun outside by learning how to take care of scrapes and sprains before they turn into something much worse.

Many organizations offer these classes. A few tried and true courses include Andrew Skurka’s Planning Course and guided instructional ultralight backpacking trips, REI’s Wilderness Safety Training with NOLS, NOLS courses, Wilderness Medical Associates’ wilderness first aid classes, and YAMNUSKA courses in the Canadian Rockies.

You can even gift a virtual class for a hassle-free, socially distant, and convenient way to learn. Active Interest Media offers a host of courses with experts in the field.

Backcountry Meal Planning, $25+

A closeup of a bowl of pesto pasta with sundried tomatoes.

For the person in your life who loves to camp or backpack but comes home complaining about how poorly they ate on the trail, Backcountry Foodie offers recipe and meal planning services that give the gift of health, energy, and joy in the backcountry.

Enhance your nutrition and culinary satisfaction, save precious pack weight, and take the stress out of planning with Backcountry Foodie’s recipes and meal plans. She offers three tiers of help to choose from: recipes; recipes plus meal planning; and custom meal planning.

Night Photography Class, $200

Three tents sit in the snow, surrounded by snow-covered trees and a sky full of stars overhead.

Learn how to capture the wonder of a glittering star-strewn sky with a night photography class. There are numerous in-person and online classes, including ones from Active Interest Media and Dave Morrow.

The Perfect Camp Site, $5+

Feet poke out of a tent. Pine trees and the ocean are visible in the distance.

Snag that prime camp spot now, and your loved one will thank you this spring when it’s sold out. Not sure where you want to go? Many states sell gift cards that can be used to purchase camping reservations at state parks. You can find camping and wilderness permit reservations on recreation.gov, ReserveAmerica.com and campnab.com. You can also find camping spots, RV sites, and even glamping gems on HipCamp.

(Rent a) Home on Wheels, $200+

A yellow camper bus drives down a desert road towards red-walled rock towers.

Explore new places via the open road! A van or camper rental is the perfect gift for someone with wonderlust during a harder time to travel. Pack all of your food in advance, and enjoy a week of solitude and limited social interaction.

Find campervans, trailers, RVs, Sprinters to rent via Outdoorsy. You can also find local companies in your area.

A Donation in Their Name

A group of snowshoers smile for the camera on a snow-covered trail. Someone in the middle is holding a sign with the Outdoor Afro logo.

For the person who thinks even an experiential gift is too much. If you’re looking for ideas, you can join us in supporting some of these organizations working to make the outdoors more inclusive and accessible to all.

Gift of Adventure: Gaia GPS Membership, $59.90+

Perhaps there is no better gift than the gift of exploration. Give the gift of a Gaia GPS membership to the person in your life who is excited about exploring their backyard and beyond.

A Gaia GPS membership lets you plan a route from the comfort of your couch and upload that route for use in the backcountry so you stay found and safe. You can also use Gaia GPS to explore popular trails and routes, and to make the most of your next trip to a national park. Plus, you can download any of Gaia GPS’s hundreds of maps for offline use outside the range of cell service. Thanks to maps ranging from the whole suit of National Geographic Trails Illustrated to USFS Roads and Trails, Gaia GPS enhances the experience of everyone from the avid backpacker to the casual day hiker. Browse the whole map catalog here.

Go the extra mile and pair this gift with even evening of stargazing, a backpacking or backcountry ski weekend, or an overlanding trip — you map out and plan the route, and they savor it too.

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Courtney runs through the red dessert of Moab during sunset.
Gaia GPSOut and Back Podcast

Courtney Dauwalter: From Science Teacher to Endurance Superstar

by Abby Levene
written by Abby Levene

How to listen: iTunes | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | Pocket Casts | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox

Get up to 50% off
Gaia GPS

What drives people to set seemingly impossible goals, and what fuels them to succeed? Out and Back digs into these questions with the queen of ultra running, Courtney Dauwalter. Fresh off her win at Bigs Back Yard Ultra, Courtney is renowned in the ultra running community and beyond for her definitive wins at everything from the Moab 240-mile trail race, to the Western States 100 Endurance Run, to the 100-mile Ultra Trail de Mont Blanc.

In this episode, Shanty and Gaia GPS writer and professional ultra runner Abby Levene sit down with Courtney to answer two simple questions: why and how?

Courtney takes listeners back in time to her early days of ultra running. Her first 100 mile race did not go as well as she hoped. In fact, she didn’t finish. That day marked a turning point. Courtney walks us through how she built up the mental toughness and trove of positive, empowering experiences to give her the courage to persevere through insane mid-race issues, like temporary blindness, hallucinations, and vomiting.

“I really hope to use races as ways to build up more mental endurance and also just more mental evidence for myself of ‘okay, here, all the things that you’ve gone through before. Here’s how you solve them before and look at how you were able to keep going.’ And so it’s like this file cabinet in my brain of all the problems that we push through. And accessing that during the hard times of an ultra just gives you the confidence to keep going because you’ve got this accumulated knowledge from other disasters that have happened.”

Courtney looks up while trekking up a mountain during UTMB. She's holding her hiking poles in either hand and wearing a hydration vest.

A self-proclaimed lover of long-inseams (she exclusively runs in baggy, basketball-style shorts), candy, nachos, and beer, Courtney does not fit the mold of your typical spreadsheet-obsessed ultra runner. She shares how her unbridled passion for running outside for as long as possible and day after day allowed her to quit her day job as a high school science teacher and not grow to resent the pressure of professional sport. She also dives into the role her analytical-minded husband Kevin plays in her success, and how the duo’s strengths complement each other to form a fun, focused, and formidable team.

Courtney takes listeners through her Colorado Trail FKT attempt this summer, and her recent win at perhaps the strangest running event of all: Big’s Backyard Ultra. The ultimate test of the mind, athletes at this event run 4.16-mile loops on the hour every hour until only one person remains. This year, that was Courtney — 68 hours and 283 miles later.

Runners and non-runners alike won’t want to miss this episode to catch Courtney’s infectious optimism, learn what drives her to push barriers, and to pick up some tips on training your brain to endure when your body tells you to stop.

Follow Courtney on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with her physical, phycological, and gustatory adventures.

Episode Highlights

3:55: How Courtney went from being an elite cross country skier to an ultra marathon runner.
6:52: Courtney’s first 100 mile race did not go according to plan.
9:00: That first 100-mile race flipped a switch in Courtney’s brain.
10:07: Courtney thinks of her brain as a filing cabinet filled with experiences to draw out and use as needed.
13:35: How Courtney made the leap to quit her job as a high school science teacher to pursue running full time.
18:00: What drove Courtney to jump from racing 100 miles to 240 miles at the Moab 240.
22:35: Things unravel at Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run in 2019.
26:35: How Courtney bounced back mentally and physically from Western States leading up to UTMB.
35:30: Courtney’s legs were not prepared to win UTMB. How she managed to do so anyway.
39:10: The role Courtney’s husband Kevin plays in Courtney’s success.
41:05: Why Courtney thought running the 500-mile Colorado Trail sounded like a good idea.
44:00: The sleep game of ultra-long distance events.
50:15: Unbeknownst to Courtney, things go horribly wrong on the Colorado Trail.
54:35: The inside-scoop on Courtney’s most recent win at Big’s Backyard Ultra.
1:13:35: Why Courtney exclusively runs in basket-ball style shorts.
1:15:35: Courtney’s life-saving food on the trail.
1:16:50: The one endurance event Courtney would love to spectate.

Last Episode: 2020 Fastest Known Time Roundup With Buzz Burrell

The pandemic canceled nearly all the running races this year, but that didn’t deter athletes from taking down “fastest known times” on some of the most famous and iconic routes around the globe. In fact, the keeper of such unofficial records, fastestknowntime.com reports that more than 50 FKTs are submitted to the website each day — amounting to as much as five times the number of FKTs reported from the previous year.

Tune in to the last episode of the Out and Back podcast, Shanty and Mary review this year’s FKT round up with Buzz Burrell, co-founder of fastestknowntime.com and the “father of the FKT.” Buzz takes us through the rise of the FKT, what makes a solid FKT route, and the allure of the solitary push to set speed records in this year of pandemic lockdowns, civil unrest, and wildfires.

You won’t want to miss this episode as Buzz delivers this year’s round-up of robust FKT activity. Buzz, who just turned 69, also goes deep in this episode and reveals the pains of aging. Tune in to hear his four tips for pushing on as the years pile up. Plus, you’ll never guess what indoor activity Buzz has mastered, proving that Buzz is so much more than a mountain athlete.

Learn more about Buzz Burrell and FKT records at fastestknowntime.com. Listen every Friday to the Fastest Known Time podcast, featuring the rising stars in speed records around the globe.

Next Episode: Search and Rescue Braces for Record Backcountry Ski Season

Winter looms with promises of bluebird skies, powder stashes and possibly record crowds in the backcountry this season. We’re excited to kick off the first episode of our backcountry ski series with Colorado’s Summit County Search and Rescue mission coordinator Charles Pitman, who gives us the temperature of what the upcoming backcountry ski season looks like from the search-and-rescue perspective. Pitman says it might not be pretty.

Two people are on top of a snowy mountain. One sits while holding a walkie talkie up to his ear. The other stands with a helmet on his hand, rope in his band, and crampons on his foots. A helicopter flies over mountains in the distance.

“The backcountry retailers are selling out of gear already … both retailers and manufacturers. So that tells me this could be a rather interesting year for people going the backcountry who really are probably not too prepared to do it.“ Pitman says. ”We want to try to get the message out on what they need to consider.“

In this interview, Pitman recaps the strain his organization felt when the ski areas shut down early last spring due to the pandemic. He recalls jammed trailheads and skiers and snowboarders leaving the parking lots without crucial avalanche safety equipment. Pitman says the backcountry continued to draw massive crowds through the summer and into fall, bringing with it an unprecedented number of rescues this year.

During one week in October alone, Summit County Search and Rescue assisted a lost mountain biker, an injured hiker, and a technical body recovery mission from one of the area’s 14,000-feet peaks. Pitman says the number of rescues are at an all-time high, and far surpassing the 150 calls for service the team received last year.

Two people rappel down a steep snow field.

“Certainly my antennas are going up about how we need to prepare. We’re starting to do our preparations as a team earlier. Of course, that’s more difficult now. We don’t have the same types of meetings we had before because we have to cope with the Covid restrictions and considerations that we take very, very seriously here,“ Pitman said. ”I’m a bit concerned about what’s going to happen this winter.“

Tune in as Pitman enlightens us on what backcountry enthusiasts need to do to stay safer this winter, including how to recognize and avoid danger in backcountry travel, what to do if you need help, and what you should put in your backpack to be prepared in case something goes wrong.

Backcountry skiers, winter hikers, climbers, and snowmobilers will not want to miss this behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming ski season and what the rescue professionals are doing to prepare for the busy season ahead. Plus hear a few of Pitman’s most harrowing rescue stories.

Learn more about avalanche safety at avalanche.org. Find an avalanche education class with the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education. Learn more about Summit Country Search and Rescue and donate to your local search and rescue group.

Meet the Hosts

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.

Abby Levene

Abby smiles through a face caked in snow and ice.

When she’s not busy writing and editing content for Gaia GPS, Abby Levene can be found trail running, biking, and skiing around her hometown of Boulder, Colorado. In 2017, Abby broke her wrist eight miles into her second ultra. She went on to win the race, and has been hooked on the sport since. She’s passionate about using her graduate education in environmental journalism and her love for playing outside to tell stories about the issues, people, and places of the outdoors.

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AdventuresHow-To

Get Unlost: Your Guide to Modern Backcountry Navigation

by Corey Buhay
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:

  1. Case Study: Lost in the Colorado Backcountry
  2. Essential Navigation Gear
  3. Learning Basic Navigation Skills
  4. Pre-trip Navigation Checklist
  5. Navigating Group Dynamics
  6. How to Stay On Track
  7. How to Get Unlost
  8. 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?

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:
  1. Look at the terrain around you. Then, match nearby landmarks like peaks or streams to the topo lines on your map
  2. Take bearings to each landmark.
  3. Transfer those bearings to the map. Your location is where those lines intersect.
  4. 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.



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Winter Hiking: 10 Things to Remember On Your Next Trip

by Corey Buhay
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.

 

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Ski Often, Ski Safe: How to Plan a Backcountry Ski Tour

by Corey Buhay
written by Corey Buhay

As new snow settles into the couloirs and glades this season, it’s easy to get caught up in the stoke without doing your homework—a potentially fatal mistake when you’re backcountry skiing in avalanche terrain. To get your tour off on the right boot, we teamed up with Joey Thompson, Colorado Mountain School’s Head Mountain Guide as well as a BCA and Hestra ambassador, to put together this must-do, pre-trip checklist.

Skimping on your tour plan comes with high consequences. On average, 27 people lose their lives in avalanches every year in the United States. Even more sobering: Those fatalities include experts, guides, and professionals as well as backcountry skiing novices. The good news is that, while your safety in the mountains is never 100% guaranteed, you can scale your odds overwhelmingly in your favor with the right research and preparation.

Here the ten essential steps you should take to plan any backcountry ski trip.

1. Evaluate your experience level.

The first thing you should do is take a hard look at your overall experience and comfort in the mountains before you get in over your head.

“Overconfidence is a common trap,” Thompson says, and that’s especially true among skiers with only moderate avalanche education. In fact, some studies show that folks with just the first level of avy certification are more likely to expose themselves to undue avalanche risk than any other group.

Getting certified with an avalanche awareness class (like the level 1 course from AIARE, the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education) is a good first step. However, Thompson warns that years of experience, a lot of practice using a beacon, and good temperament and mountain sense are often more beneficial than formal education alone.

If you’re really new to backcountry skiing—or really obsessing over a descent that might be just outside your comfort zone—consider hiring a guide or finding a mentor with a decade or more of mountain experience to show you the ropes.

2. Check the weather before you pick your route.

Second step: Thompson recommends cross-referencing several weather forecasts before you get your heart set on any particular line.

He checks predictions from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), and the European weather service MeteoBlue, all of which use different predictive models. For quick reference, map NOAA’s predictions directly over your route plan in Gaia GPS using the Precipitation and Snowfall forecast overlays.

Steer clear of high winds, which can load snow onto leeward slopes; sudden spikes in temperature, which can cause wet slides; and huge dumps of snow, which can build into storm slabs. Also keep an eye on cloud cover, which will flatten the light, making variations in the snow surface tough to distinguish.

If you haven’t already, get a feel for weather patterns in your area. The Pacific Northwest’s snowpack stabilizes much faster than Colorado’s, for example, which means you can start skiing sooner after storms.

3. Select backcountry zones based on the avalanche forecast.

Next, Thompson heads to the local avalanche bulletin and rules out geographic zones, elevations, and aspects with high avalanche risk.

The avy forecast measures risk as a function of both likelihood and size (consequence).

“For example, if you’re skiing in Rocky Mountain National Park in April, you probably have a weak layer [from the thaw-freeze cycles that usually happen in early winter in Colorado] buried really deeply in the snowpack. Maybe it’s dormant—buried too deep to have a high likelihood of getting triggered,” Thompson explains. “But if it does get triggered, all that built-up snow is going to result in an avalanche big enough to sculpt its own landscape and bury a train and houses and condos.” That’s a low-likelihood, high-consequence avalanche.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, a few inches of new snow on short, steep slopes might be really likely to slide, but the avalanches will be much smaller. Those might knock a person off her skis but they’re unlikely to bury anyone completely.

4. Plan your route.

Now that you’ve ruled out the danger zones, evaluate slope angles to find a safe route. Gather beta from friends, online trip reports, and websites like OpenSnow and Wild Snow, and figure out what routes local guides are taking clients on that time of year.

“If you can get your hands on a prerecorded track from a buddy, that’s awesome,” Thompson says, especially if there’s a chance of low-visibility conditions. You can create your own route directly in Gaia GPS, or upload a track from a friend via a KML or GPX file.

Most avalanche educators recommend avoiding slopes between 30 and 45 degrees, especially if the avalanche forecast calls for anything more than low avy danger. (Visualize slope angle along different routes with the Slope-Angle Shading overlay.) However, persistent slab avalanches happen on slopes as low as 22 degrees, so don’t skimp on your weather research.

5. Make a Plan B. 

Prerecorded tracks are great, but any time you’re backcountry skiing, conditions can change fast. Be prepared to tweak or bail on your route at the last minute.

Thompson recommends setting waypoints at decision-making thresholds like headwalls, summits, and higher-consequence slopes to facilitate group discussion about the conditions and terrain.

Always make sure you have a safe escape route in mind. Create plan-B and plan-C tour plans, and download the appropriate maps for offline use.

6. Bring the right maps.

Before you leave service, download maps of the area you plan to explore, along with any routes, tracks, or waypoints to help you find your way. Thompson typically downloads the USGS Topo and NatGeo Illustrated Trails maps. Some other helpful layers:

Many of these maps are only available with a Premium Membership. Learn more about Premium maps and access them here.

Go Premium

Download multiple map sources, and plan to stash your phone in a chest pocket to keep it warm (cold batteries die faster). Bring paper maps and a compass as backup.

7. Pick your partners wisely.

Going solo in the wild has its allure, but it’s hard to argue with the facts: If you get caught in an avalanche and you’re alone, you’ll have no one to dig you out. Pick partners who share your levels of ambition and risk tolerance, and who you know will be open-minded and communicative with the rest of the group.

Thompson recommends aiming for a group of five. It’s a small enough number for efficient movement and quick decision-making, but big enough that even if two skiers get buried, there are still more diggers than victims.

If you’re a beginner, Thompson suggests skiing with other beginners. They’ll allow you to learn the basics at your own pace in mellow terrain.

8. Get your gear together.

Every group member should have a beacon, probe, and avalanche shovel. Also consider an avalanche pack. They’re expensive, but research shows that when used properly, they can effectively buoy caught skiers above sliding debris.

Put new batteries in your beacon, and securely attach it to your body, either in a chest harness over your baselayer, or clipped to a belt loop and zipped into a pocket. Keep your probe and shovel easily accessible in your pack.

Also throw in plenty of snacks and water. Staying hydrated and frequently consuming carbohydrates will keep you warm and prevent bonking, which can impair your decision-making abilities.

9. Talk with your team the day of the trip.

Discuss turnaround time and goals with your group to make sure everyone’s on the same page. Agree beforehand on what slope angles the group feels comfortable skiing, what weather or snow surface conditions constitute a no-go, and what your plan-B and plan-C options are. Predetermined limits are a good failsafe against succumbing to summit fever in hazardous conditions.

Thompson also suggests designating a team leader before you head out. That way, if something goes wrong, you’ll have enough organizational structure in place to quickly make a plan and avoid infighting.

“It’s really invaluable for beginner skiers to debrief at the end of the day, too,” Thompson adds. “If you skied something outside of your route plan and just got lucky, you’re not going to learn from it if you just slap high-fives all around, get in your car, and drive away without thinking it through.”

10. Do your final checks.

Before you leave, scan the day-of forecast and local avalanche reports. Reconsider your route if you see evidence of avalanche activity on similar slopes in adjacent ranges.

Reading avalanche terrain is an incredibly complex science, Thompson warns: “Even after 25 years of ski touring, I’m just now feeling like I have a handle on it.” So no matter how well you’ve prepared, always double-check your terrain and weather information, and jot down the number for your local Search and Rescue team, just in case.

If all looks good, do a final beacon check, click in, and get after it.

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Hiking in Hunting Season: Top 7 Safety Tips

by Elisa Wirkala
written by Elisa Wirkala

Cool temps and active wildlife make fall popular among both hikers and hunters—and the prospect of crossing paths with a loaded firearm leaves plenty of hikers with concerns.

The good news is that, nowadays, hiking during hunting season is pretty safe. Most hunters are conscientious, and incidents are becoming almost non-existent. Pennsylvania, for example, saw zero hikers killed by hunters in 2015, the last year data was recorded. The state had just two hunting related-fatalities that year overall, one of which was self-inflicted.

Still uneasy? There are some things you can do to double-down on your safety (and that of your pets). To hone in on the best advice for sharing the trail, we talked to Joe Kosack, who’s spent 28 years working in hunter education at the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Here are some of his top tips for staying safe this season.

Learn when hunters are allowed to hunt

The busiest days of any hunting season are opening day, the day after opening day, and the first and last Saturdays of the season. Big game seasons (like those for deer, elk, and bear) draw out more hunters than seasons for smaller game, “but you’ll find the lion’s share of hunters in rifle season for deer,” Kosack says, and that holds true across the country.

To figure out when a hunting season begins or ends, use the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s interactive map. Click on your state, then click “Laws and Regulations” on the righthand toolbar to find your state hunting authority. (For some, that’s the state Fish and Wildlife Service. For others, it’s the local Department of Natural Resources or state game commission.) Look for a link to season dates on the authority’s main hunting web page.

Learn where hunters are allowed to hunt

In most places, you won’t see or hear hunters, no matter what day of the season it is. That said, if you live in a state where deer hunting is popular, consider spending opening day on well-trafficked trails, which hunters tend to avoid. Better bet: Stick to national parks, most of which prohibit hunting. (There are some park units that allow hunting, though on a very limited basis and usually only for ecological or subsistence purposes.)

State and regional park regulations, however, vary from state to state. Check rules for specific parks online, or use Gaia GPS’s hunting-specific map overlays to quickly determine where hunters will concentrate. Jesse Crocker, Gaia GPS engineering manager and resident hunting expert, recommends the layers labeled “Public Lands Open for Hunting” or “State Parks/Forests Open for Hunting.” (You can access all Gaia GPS Premium Hunt Maps with a Premium Membership.)

Know when hunters are most active

Many animals, like deer and elk, travel and forage most during dawn and dusk. While their preference for dim lighting often gives these species an edge against predators, it puts both hikers and hunters at a disadvantage: In the twilight hours, hunters have a harder time distinguishing human shapes and shadows from those of their quarry.

The other trouble? “The average age of hunters, at least in Pennsylvania, is somewhere north of 50,” Kosack warns, which can mean less-than-perfect eyesight, especially in low light. Stay alert in the early morning and evening, and take care to make your presence known.

Wear orange

Break out those brights. While you should always bring colorful layers into the backcountry (it’s easier for Search and Rescue teams to spot flashy colors in case of an emergency), they’re particularly useful during big game seasons, as they make it easy for hunters to spot and avoid you.

Drabs blend into the forest, but beige and green aren’t the only hues to leave in the closet. “If you’re going to be out there with turkey hunters, I’d also recommend avoiding red, white, blue, and black, as those can be mistaken for parts of a turkey,” Kosack says. Yellow can also be tough to parse against fall foliage, especially during sunrise and sunset.

Instead, Kosack recommends sticking to hats and jackets in the classic shades of safety, which are easy to find at hardware and sporting goods stores.

“A lot of crews have switched to fluorescent chartreuse, but in Pennsylvania, it’s mandatory for hunters to wear blaze orange. So if you’re going to be out there with them, wear orange as well, and you’ll fit right in,” he says.

Protect your pets

Most hunters know their quarry well enough to tell your dog from a deer, but why take the chance?

“The other issue is that a lot of people have problems with coyotes and might mistake your dog for one,” Kosack says. (Coyotes are often sandy brown but can sport reddish or black phases as well, so don’t assume your golden retriever will be easy to distinguish.)

“Leashes are ideal, but let’s be honest—sometimes the whole idea of taking your dog into the woods is to leave him untethered,” Kosack admits. Instead, he recommends a failsafe solution: Dress your pup in a fluorescent pack, harness, collar, or bandana.

Photo courtesy of Renee V, via twitter

Make noise

Wear a passive noisemaker like a bear bell, sing, or just keep the conversation flowing—the easiest way to distinguish human from animal is by the sound of your voice, says Crocker. Expect to hear gunshots in the distance on busy days, but if you hear shooting that’s too close for comfort, shout to make your presence known.

Stay on the trail

While this is good advice for anyone trying to reduce their environmental impact, sticking to the trail corridor is a fairly reliable failsafe during hunting season—especially if you’re not wearing orange. Most hunters know to avoid commonly used hiking paths, so stay on them during busy days and camp within 150 yards of them when permitted.

Learn more

Still nervous? Don’t be.

“The whole idea of hiking is to go out and enjoy yourself, and if you’re worried about everything, you’re not going to have a great time,” Kosack says. Familiarize yourself with the statistics, talk to local hunters or land managers, plan your hikes wisely, and follow these tips to head into the woods with confidence this season.

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