A thousand years ago, people navigated using the position of the sun and the north star. Five hundred years ago, they used compasses and astrolabes. Twenty years ago, hikers used compasses and topo maps. About 10 years ago, people started using GPS units that could show their exact location. Learn how to use a GPS unit to navigate while hiking and use techn… read more
Topographic or landform maps, which represent elevations and physical features of a given swath of the Earth, are immensely useful cartographic tools. Backpackers use them to plan cross-country treks, hunters and fishers to stalk remote drainages, developers to incorporate natural hazards into planning. These maps may be two- or three-dimensional. read more
A topo map, short for topographical map, can be intimidating upon first glance. These maps contain a wealth of information about the land features of a particular area. Thanks to contour lines, which show elevation, a flat topo map gives you a "three-dimensional" look of the area. With a little planning, a hiker can plan a route to his destination and use a… read more
Hansel and Gretel may have made it out of the woods with no hassles if they had GPS technology instead of breadcrumbs. Garmin, a maker of GPS units, uses many different technologies to ensure you get to your destination, or back home, safely. One of these features is auto routing. This function automatically drops electronic breadcrumbs into the GPS unit's m… read more
Garmin Electronics makes products ranging from fish and depth finders to handheld GPS units like the 60 CSx. One function of particular use to backcountry explorers and adventurers is the auto route. This feature drops electronic waypoints in its map memory so you can use the track to find your way home. It is possible to set it to drop these signals in vary… read more
If you're interested in exploring areas of wilderness off the beaten path, or perhaps with no path at all, then you will need topographic maps to guide you. These maps offer highly detailed depictions of terrain by creating a three-dim… read more
Hiking in a new area? Can't get hold of a topographical map? Making your own will be challenging for the first few steps and then it will all come together. You will be amazed at how taking a little time to do it right can give you a r… read more
Being able to read a topographical map (one that depicts the shape of the Earth's surface) means you will have the knowledge to navigate a world of off-trail areas and backcountry wilderness. Using a topographical map is indispensable… read more
Topographic maps, which are two-dimensional representations of landforms and geographic features, are invaluable for landscape study --- and often attractive works of art. What follows is a survey of some of the major uses of these car… read more
At 2.4 inches x 6.1 inches x 1.3 inches and weighing in at 7.5 oz , the 60CSX is on the large side of hand held GPS units. It uses 2 AA batteries and the manufacturer's specs claim an 18 hour battery life, but that will vary a great de… read more
Topography---or "topo"---maps are high-scale maps showing terrain features and elevation change. They offer the best insight into the terrain you want to cover and provide essential information about relief and slopes. Topo maps use c… read more
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Knowing where you're at, and where you're going, on a trail is essential for safety and peace of mind. Garmin, a leader in the GPS industry, has a full line of hiking GPS units, including mapping and radio units with GPS. The Garmin Or… read more
A topographical map is a detailed map designed to show land features that help with navigating undeveloped terrain. The United States Geologic Survey is the main producer of "topo" maps in the US. read more
Route planning for backpacking or other wilderness adventures used to mean poring over topo maps, reading countless guide books and tracking down hard-to-find trail maps. Now, with GPS technology, route planning is a fairly simple affa… read more
East Coast skiing isn't just icy mountains with rules, regulations and boundaries. Grab your backcountry skis and prepare yourself for a ski touring adventure in Vermont. Stowe, an East Coast ski destination, has many trails and routes… read more
While exploring the wilderness can be a soul-nourishing experience, it also has the potential to be exceedingly dangerous, especially for the ill-prepared. Most of what you should carry is covered by the classic 10 Essentials. There ar… read more
Sea kayakers make frequent use of the boat to get out and explore new areas, waters and islands. Fog, marine layers and other visual impediments keep the paddler from navigating by site, necessitating the need for alternate methods of… read more
You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
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