Tag Archives: how to

How to use a GPS for Hiking (Dedicated Device or Phone App)

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How to use a GPS Device or GPS App for Hiking & Backpacking Trips using Caltopo and free Garmin Basecamp GPS Software for route planning, point of interest waypoints, elevation profiles and more.

Whether you use a dedicated GPS device or a GPS phone app, the free tools and software I share in this tutorial can help you take your pre-trip planning to the next level.

Links to GPS Tools that I go over

  • Garmin Basecamp
    • This is the current version, but for the reasons discussed in the video, I would recommend that Garmin device users install the previous version 4.6.2 until they fix the map install issues on 4.7.0. If you’re using a GPS phone app, you’ll be fine with 4.7.0.
  • Basecamp Previous Version Archive
    • You can get version 4.6.2 here.
  • Forum thread with more info on the problems with Basecamp 4.7.0.
  • GPS File Depot
    • Great resource for free GPS maps.
  • Caltopo
    • Awesome web based GPS tool. You can use it as a standalone tool, but I prefer to use it as a supplement to Basecamp.  I pretty much just use it for the routable trails feature. Between the two, there’s not much you can’t do.
  • GPS Visualizer
    • Free tool for adding elevation data to GPS tracks. Simply export the track as a GPX file, run it through here, and re-import into Basecamp or directly into your GPS device.

Suggested maps to start with on GPS File Depot

  • Editor’s Choice map for the state you’ll be hiking or backpacking in.
  • My Trails
  • Trails 100

My GPS, seen on the video

Deep Winter Hammock Camping System

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A look at my Cold Weather Winter Hammock Camping Setup for Backpacking Trips that have Potential for Sub-Zero Temperatures.

Deep Winter Hammock Camping System Components

Total Hammock System Weight: 1.75 lbs (793 grams)
Total Insulation System Weight: 3.25 lbs (1.47 kilos)
Shelter System Weight (tarp plus all lines & adjustment hardware): 8.75 oz

Deep Winter Hammock Camping System Grand Total Weight: 5.55 lbs (2.52 kilos)


Other Gear Seen

Backpacking Tips – Easy Route Planning – The String Method

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In this video, we’ll take a look at how to find custom Backpacking loop hikes… fast.

There are plenty of high tech route planning methods out there for hiking and backpacking, and trust me, I love them. But sometimes it’s nice to just keep things simple.

In preparation for an upcoming overnight trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I began tinkering with various methods to find an ideal 3 day, 2 night loop. Several futile afternoons later, I was less than successful in my pursuit of Tennessee adventure. But then I broke out the method seen in the video. Within a short amount of time I suddenly had a loop hike that I was excited about. Score 1 for low tech.