[Samantha Herald]

I generally carry and map and compass but mostly rely on an app with offline maps and gps tracking. What do you use?

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[Darren Edwards]

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I used to only use a map and compass but these days, I find an app on my phone is a great way to quickly find my location. For the most part, I visually read the terrain to understand where I’m going and where I’ve been. I always have a compass in my pack and take a hard copy topo map on more challenging or remote hikes.

[Samantha Herald]

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I’ve gotta get better at visually reading the terrain. I’m ok with it but tend to rely on my devices a lot.

[Darren Bowman]

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I’m old school and rely on map and compass. I recently learnt how to upload a gpx file into my Garmin watch, but I don’t like the lack of context the small screen provides, especially without a background map. I guess a gps with maps would be better. I’ve only ever used a basic gps to confirm my position.

[Darren Edwards]

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I agree with you about the small watch face. I find GPS watches are useful for recording but I never really rely on them for anything else.

[Torsten Bunge]

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My phone with the Strava app. I always pre-plan my routes with Strava and download to use offline so can follow the trail even without mobile reception.

[Samantha Herald]

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Haven’t used Strava. Is that a free service?

[Torsten Bunge]

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There is a free version but really only lets you record your workout and not much else. Around $100/yr gets you the premium features and access to their other services such as Fat Map and Recover. Beacon is another great feature, lets you share your live workout with contacts who can then track you live. Good piece of mind if you’re out on your own and also part of the free version I believe.

[Samantha Herald]

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Thank you. I’ll take a look at it this week. I’m not big on subscription services but sounds like you really like it.

[Torsten Bunge]

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I’m the same when it comes to subscription but love Strava. Only started using the paid version a few years ago but wouldn’t go back; the features are great, developers reinvest to improve features and services and the platform was integral to my recovery from a serious injury. Wouldn’t be without it,

[Samantha Herald]

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Awesome. You’ve convinced me to fork out some cash and take a look. Thank you

[Grant Hollingworth]

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It’s well worth the money

[Darren Edwards]

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Hey Samantha, how’d you go with Strava? Interested to hear what you thought.

[Grant Walker]

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If I see someone using the GaiaGPS app, I figure they know what they’re doing.

If I see someone using the Avenza Maps app with NYNJTC maps, I feel they have the best possible Catskills map to hand.

If I see someone using a map and compass, I know they have their shit together.

If I see someone navigating a trail with the AllTrails app, suddenly, I’m not so sure…

So many people I’ve met (lost) on the trail using the AllTrails app wouldn’t have a clue what they were doing if they turned off their phone. IMO it’s a dangerous tool.

[Darren Edwards]

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You make some great points about different navigation tools and how they reflect a person’s level of experience. It’s definitely concerning when people rely solely on an app like AllTrails without understanding basic navigation skills—especially when phone batteries die or signal drops. That said, I think any tool can be useful if people take the time to learn how to use it properly.

[Grizz Brown]

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I consider it a point of honour to rely on my own bushcraft and map and compass primarily and I’ll only use GPS/apps for checknav.

My favourite landnav tool would have to be Ye Olde Suunto MC-2/G mirror-sighting baseplate compass.

When it comes to apps, I use the Paper Maps app on my phone for recording tracks mostly.

[Darren Edwards]

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That’s a great approach—relying on traditional map and compass skills first and using GPS/apps as a backup is a solid strategy. The Suunto MC-2/G is a fantastic compass, I have one myself, and it’s always great to hear from others who enjoy using one. I haven’t used the Paper Maps app—how do you find it compares to other mapping apps for track recording?

[Katie Reedy]

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I have recently started using Gaia and I love it. I mark out my route on it before leaving, put my phone on airplane mode and battery saver to reserve power, and still the accuracy of where I am is amazing. It makes getting back on track if you have veered the wrong way so quick and easy.

The first time I used it I was on a hike in Vic Alps and I had not preloaded anything before switching to airplane mode. I also wasn’t a subscriber then and was using the free version. We decided to do a side strip and I was able to navigate us to the correct path using Gaia.

And of course having a hardcopy map just in case the phone fails.

[Jane Sebastion]

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That’s great to hear. I’ve just started using it too and have been loving it so far.

[Darren Edwards]

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Thanks so much for the feedback on Gia. I played around with that one a few years ago but haven’t looked at it since. Might have to download it again.

[Katie Reedy]

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I have been told by someone they found it quite glitchy and unreliable, maybe they have made improvements over the years. I use an android/google phone, not sure if that makes it more compatible.  I’m yet to test it on a hike any longer than 3 days to see how it affects the battery life. I also haven’t been on any ‘exploratory’ hikes with it. I don’t know what it is like if you want to mark out your own path and not following an existing trail. But I like to stick to known tracks anyway.

[Darren Edwards]

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I did find that when I first used it, but you are right, that was many years ago. I will have to check it out again. I use Pocket Earth Pro now on my iPhone and that seems to serve its purpose and in airplane mode, my phone can last up to 4 days before needing a charge. The topo detail is not the greatest on Pocket Earth pro but it compliments my paper maps well for a quick location check.

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