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

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.

For an easier read, check out my full blog post here:
sintax77.com/how-to-use-a-gps-for-hiking-dedica…

Links:

Garmin Basecamp
garmin.com/en-US/software/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
gawisp.com/perry/mapsource/
You can get version 4.6.2 here.

Forum thread with more info on the problems with Basecamp 4.7.0.
forums.gpsfiledepot.com/index.php?topic=4539.0

GPS File Depot
gpsfiledepot.com/
Great resource for free GPS maps.

Caltopo
caltopo.com/
Awesome web based GPS tool. You can use it as a standalone tool, but I prefer to use it as a supplement to Basecamp. Between the two, there's not much you can't do.

GPS Visualizer
gpsvisualizer.com/elevation
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
gpsvisualizer.com/elevation

Trails 100
gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/250/


My GPS, seen in the video:

Garmin Oregon GPS navigator
amzn.to/2mXoVtg

Want to help support the channel? The next time you're about to do some shopping, go through
sintax77.com/Amazon
(or bookmark it) & a portion of your session will help support the next trip ...at no additional cost to you!

Want a free sticker? Send a SASE to my PO box:

Sintax77
PO Box 8163
Wilmington, DE 19803

Business Inquiries: [email protected]