Maps are for Boomers... Do this Instead 

What an incredibly helpful video. Sharing apps, plotting hike then showing viewers the actual hike!!?? You share so much knowledge and put a huge amount into shooting and editing. I really hope you’re rewarded with an explosion of views and subscribers 👍 from a Kiwi cousin 😁

A good tip might be to put the phone on airplane mode. This disables all the radio-freq signals (gsm, wifi, bt) and saves a lot of battery. GPS receiver alone consumes almost no battery.

So wonderful that you can access so much via public transportation. Really great video. Appreciate the mix of planning and execution blended into a single story arc. And yes! Step gently and wisely in the fragile alpine meadows

Thanks so much! You create such a transparent and integrated view on what is involved in navigation via smart phone. I appreciate that you do not hide 'mistakes', such as missing out on the neater campspot. You also show how important preparation is, but that improvising with what is there remains important: the significance of paying close attention of what you encounter on the spot, and perceiving how conditions change. You also show how navigation is closely tied in with your fitness, your gear, the weather. Excellent.

This was just amazing. Thank you so much for taking the time to put this all together. Having someone actually show you from start to finish how the app works, how to download, mistakes to avoid,really one of the best videos on this type of topic that i have seen. Brilliant!

Enjoy the channel, mate. Just watching is a boost to get planning the next journey. Well done.

Unbelievable what you put out there for free. Keep up the amazing work mate.

Can’t get enough with the beautiful Nature! Newbie in Hiking and been following and watching your videos!❤️

Your channel is awesome! We're just day hikers but I've learned a lot to make our outings easier and more enjoyable! We're headed to Colorado for 5 weeks mid August. Can't wait.

Great advice about not taking shortcuts to avoid environmental damage. Thanks for sharing

Beautiful vid. Very helpful. I appreciate your advice from experience. Thank you!

Thank you so much. Very informative and helpful to a new hiker. I give 👍

That was so great Chase, really informative!!

This is so helpful! Thanks for the detailed explanation man 🙌 always had a hard time planning how to reach a trail by train. Makes so much sense now

Really enjoyable review thanks. There are so many choices for trail apps - really tricky to know what’s what, so your review is very helpful - cheers

Love this type of content, thank you!

Thank you , definitely watching this later. I love to share hiking plans with friends, and I always use the OS map sharing code as I believe the more people who know the better (in case of separation or emergencies or just for pleasure!). However, most of my friends feel daunted by maps and route cards and just do not want to look. I’m hoping a more familiar digital format will encourage them to be more than just blind followers!

Thats really neat that it projects how long the hike will take !

man, some seriously quality content, thanks a bunch

Este es el mejor video que he visto sobre cómo planificar una ruta. Yo empecé a hacer rutas solo, y tuve que aprender todas estas cosas mediante ensayo/error. Muchas gracias y te animo a seguir haciendo videos así.

Wonderful detailed information. Thanks! ☺

Excellent!!! Using this to plan some hikes in Kyrgyzstan.

E p I c! Planning is a huge part of hiking IMO. Personally I use gpx viewer the pro version which costs 4 eur one shot and allows you to download all the maps you want and then use gpx files over it. There is a follow up video to this one, how to read maps and how to understand it's relation to what is in front of you. How to manage risk and so on. .and then experience, experience experience. Congrats

Very awesome video, thanks!

This is extremely helpfull guide, thank you!

I enjoyed this, thanks!

Nice video Chase, very informative. Please tell me you carry a physical map and compass too, so often overlooked in our modern "app" world but so important to have and be able to use competently. Love the channel... as I squat to watch it 😁

I love your stuff dude!

Another thing to note about taking “short cuts” in some environment it’s very hard to see steep drops. From the view you show is a good example, looking down you might not be able to tell too.

IMO, using a regular smart phone as the only navigation tool is perhaps worse than hiking without a first aid kit. If you break your leg in the wilderness, you may still be able to make a makeshift crouch from some branches - but if you damage the phone screen, and dont know where to go, then you cant just find something to replace this item... Some "work-phones" are designed to be really rugged and waterproof and all that stuff, and these may be good enough - but judging from the thickness, it seems like Garmin has much better shock proofing than any work phone i have seen... Regardless of what tool you decide to use for navigation, i suggest bringing a compass as a backup. A small (but good) button compass is probably enough if you are somewhat close to civilization, and you know that you will hit the road if you head in roughly some direction. A map and plate or mirror compass may be necessary if you are going further away from civilization. These take very little space, and especially plate compasses are very affordable. They have no lock screen or app that needs to be started, so when i have mine hanging around my neck, i just lift it up and it is ready to go. It will also be a lot more accurate than the compass on a watch or phone, which often have a tendency of jumping around a bit. To whoever may decide to invest in a GPS, the Garmin "eTrex 32x" is a pretty decent, affordable, small, and lightweight option, with good battery life. It uses 2x AA batteries (1,2v X 2500mAh = 3Wh), and gets 25 hours battery life (with "powersaving mode" turned on), and this is when tracking/recording your route the whole way. In comparison i believe my phone (3,7Vx 3000mAh = 11,1Wh) used to get around 4 hours when recording the route. This is (11,1Wh / 3Wh =) 3,7 times more power than the "eTrex 32x", and still the eTrex gets (25hours / 4hours =) 6,25 times as long battery life (with a most likely outdated power hungry app). Put all this together, and the eTrex 32x is (6,25 x 3,7 =) over 23 times (!!!) more power efficient than my old phone. The "eTrex 35 Touch" may seem like a better choice, but this only gets 16 hours battery life, so to me the 32x was the clear winner. If you are using cameras a lot, then you may also want to do some research to find a good power efficient camera. Battery banks are heavy, so power efficiency = weight savings 👍

Great content! Thanks

Going to try that cheers.

Great info thanks

Good one- thank you!

following! Newbie in hiking!❤️

Great video!

Exactly what I've been looking for. Your presentation, explanation and practical lesson are of outstanding quality. Thank you for sharing your skills with us. I'm an immediate subscriber and will look further into your channel. I'm hoping to find affiliate links to good bits of kit, which I noted keenly. In my 60th year and preparing for a through hike from Amsterdam to Santiago in '24. Puzzeling through the navigation options and kit with an early March start. I'll scour your channel further..... Cheers pal.

Interesting stuff. I’ll have to try these apps.

Very useful video, thank you, sir

dude thank you!

thank you, mate!

I have os maps in the uk it’s under £30 for the year I love love love it - really opened up my route choices even when out and about I have confidence to change my route if I need to

"I could drink directly from this but of course I'm not going to" hahaha Chase why not??? why is it so hard to break the pattern, habit and try something different. You knew it was clean! 30 years hiking in Carpathians, always drunk straight from the streams. 2 years ago, following advise of American youtubers, I bought sawyer squeeze and katadyn be free, to be as cool as they were ;), I carried it for at least 800km of hiking and used it one time just for fun to justify carrying it, HA, you know like those videos: "the gear I'm done with" hehe for me that will be water filters

Thanks Chase

Great video as always! Really great info. Have you tried ONX mapping! If so, did you like it? How does it compare with the ones you have used? Which do you think is easier or best for the average backpacker.? Thanks!

Devold merino shirt, made in Norway, I have many of those, simply best ;)

Heh, was wondering where you were going to do this, comment on a previous video asking what the mapping software was :) I planned the beacons way on Komoot and for the first day, it was bang almost! One part of the trip, it was completely off, insisted I was my intended "path" but I ended up in a farm and had to hop over fences to get back on the path I should of been on westwards. In hindsight, I should of gone back to the last trail marker and attempted to scout for the correct path.

You are in Catalonia! 😁😍

Thanks

Toatally agree with short cuts! every time I’ve taken one, it takes longer in the end!

Hey Chase! Your process of building a route in Outdoor Active is nearly identical to my process in AllTrails. Then on my phone I will download my map and use it for navigation ( I also always carry map+compass) in the AllTrails app. Over the past year, I have had at least three significant failures with maps disappearing in the midst of a multi-day solo trip and even more frequently, the app stops recording on its own. How do you find the reliability of Outdoor Active in-field?

Thanks for that, very nicely done! I've used a Garmin for years, but now the phone apps are so sophisticated. I've used Viewranger, now OutdoorActive for my route planning and map printing for ages, so have been thinking I could save myself another 150g by using the phone to navigate as well. Assuming you used it for the GR11, how many map sections / downloads did you need and did you download them all at one time? Having done the GR10 a few years back and love the Pyrenees, so my next intended route is the GR11 and I liked watching your relaxed videos of the trail. One more question, do you use the phone in airplane mode to save battery and do you have tracking on to record your actual walk and stats? All the best to you, Cheers, Alan

PRINT THE MAP! Good video, but I'm shocked that you didn't suggest printing a backup copy of the map. Devices break, malfunction, etc. I was on a tail and saw a woman coming toward me, looking at her phone. She managed to drop her phone unto the tip of her shoe, and kick it off the side of the hill! The hill was steep enough that I had to be VERY careful, climbing down to retrieve it. She admitted she never could have. Fortunately, it still functioned. It could have broken, or gone off a cliff! For a number of reasons, I try to get people to use maps, and leave their devices off. However.... AT LEAST PRINT ONE, FOR BACKUP!

I've been looking online for the gloves that you were wearing that covers the palm of your hand. What is the name of the gloves and where I could find them? The GPS information was great and very helpful.

Are you planning on making a video about cold soaking? I know it's been covered pretty much everywhere, but mostly from US perspective.

Sir, which brand is best for Backpacks suitable for two nights stay

Very instructive video, thanks. Apart from using a dedicated GPS unit (and having my phone including software & maps as a backup) I go about planning a hike in the exact same way. I'm using Komoot as a planning software, but I might try outdooractive as well. EDIT: okay I've tried it. Totally buying it, a real joy to use! One question tho: how do you go about charging your power bank on a thru hike? By the way, how essential is it to speak at least a little bit of spanish in that region? For example, asking for directions/train times/opening hours etc. Is english common? Guess I'll download a spanish dictionary anyway, but I'd like to know beforehand what it's going to be like.

I just purchased the elements program! I did my first practice any tips on staying motivated? I'm Hyped but want to stay hyped about this. My goal, for now, is to go on a two-day hike.

Sorry Chase. That crouch-shock was hilarious.

great video, thanks! curious, do you set up all these shots using a tripod, or cameraman is off-camera with you on the trip?

Hi Chase. I'm planning on doing the GR 11 in August of this year. How do I find the GPX file for the entire route? Do you have a link for the trail? Thx

Hey Chase, what quilt are you using in the video? Also how does the navigation of OutdoorActive compare to the Wikiloc one? Thanks man!

I use wikiloc question: do you have a profile so I can check out some of your trails? Cheers from a fellow Catalonia Resident

I just realised that planning a trip is my number one reason why I don't go. So thank you extremely much for this video, I need the help. I have another (little stupid) question.. I bought the Pyramid Ohm and it's beautiful. But, I can't seem to figure out what the best way is of tying the strings (?) to the tent, escpecially with the one person inner mesh to the two person tarp with the pole in the middle. I can't seem to find video which shows in detail how to attach the strings/robes/lines(?) to the tent in order to pitch it. Can you or somebody else please help me?

Have you ever used the Komoot app? And if so do you think outdooractive is better?

Is wild camping legal in spain?

Komoot App has the disatvantage that it doesn't work in battery saving Mode im Android

I hiked (ran) in Spain last week and 3 paths were fenced off. One had a square sign made of a black & white triangle. The order 2 fences just had plastic bags tied to them to make them visible? Any idea what these mean? I wasnt sure if they are to keep hikers out or just for keeping wildlife in. The ones without a sign were secured with string. I was doing a 26KM circular run and typically hit these blocks at the furthest point away

Actually, boomer methods are quite refreshing. I really don't want to stare at my computer and generate maps, etc, to plan a hike. A topo map app and stand-alone gps are fine. Working with gpx files, I consider ancillary to actually get out on the trail. I also always have a paper map and quality proven compass made in the USA or EU. Full-time environmental scientist here.

Nice helpful clip thanks! A few side comments. 1. IMHO not recommend to walk under high powered tension lines. The emit a hefty dose if electromagnetic radiation which can't be good for you and in high winds/storms can be outright dangerous. 2. Would have liked to hear about pure hiking navigation apps like Oruxmaps, Locus etc. How do these compare with the more commercial trail apps? Thanks again

Those socks are now 96 instead of 24 dollars. Ok 75 after the discount now 20 vs 15%

Are you never on private property?

What happens if your using the smartphone as a GPS but your in a area with no internet,

Nice video, my friend! Lovely hiking trip! The nature is amazing, too...What area is that? Enjoyed watching. Cheers from Russia, , and how about visiting my channel as well? I've got something to share about bushcraft! Anyway, best wishes in all your plans! Regards, Yuriy!

I prefer using my garmin etrex 20 instead of my phone to save battery. Two AA lithium batteries will last at least a week Pity the garmin Basecamp software is so clunky though.

Boomers don't insult other age groups, and we can read maps.

Software and technology can fail and they are NEVER a substitute for map and compass ......NEVER!

I started to watch this until I seen the man bun😮🙄😫🤔

The title is insulting, an ordinance map or an a4 copy of your intended route area should be in your rucksack always whatever electronic device you use because if you drop your device or run out of battery your fu@ked.

Let me get this straight. The name of the video is ‘Maps are for Boomers’, which I assume you mean as a derogatory comment. Then inside 1 minute into the video you are literally pulling up a map on your computer. Welcome to the fold fellow boomer. 😂😂😂

It was a mistake from the phonesmart. Which I will never make don't you worry. Defeats the whole purpose.