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GPS Navigation: Using CalTopo and Gaia GPS - 2024

Navigation Course

GPS Navigation: Using CalTopo and Gaia GPS

Join our beginner-friendly online learning and Zoom workshop to unlock the potential for exciting and safe outdoor adventures using two empowering tools: CalTopo to create home-printable maps annotated with waypoints and routes, and Gaia GPS to guide you in the field along with your compass and altimeter. Curious about the experience? Hear from the Blissful Hiker on how our class prepared her for a through-hike of the CDT: https://pca.st/aainqld1

Contacts

Steve McClure
Steve McClure
Leader

Welcome to our beginner-friendly GPS class! This course is designed to introduce you to the modern techniques of wilderness navigation using both physical and GPS-enabled maps. The class is divided into two parts:

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Course Overview

Self-Paced Online Presentation: This segment includes exercises to be completed at home, requiring a time commitment of approximately 4-10 hours. We encourage you to start early to manage your time effectively.

Zoom Workshop: Scheduled from 6:00 to 9:15 PM, with an optional social half-hour from 6:00 to 6:30 PM. In this interactive session, you'll learn how to create a customized, home-printable physical map and upload this data to the Gaia GPS app on your cell phone. We'll also cover the integration of physical maps with digital maps, a compass, and an altimeter.

Upon completing both parts, you'll earn a Basic GPS Course badge.

    Learning Goals

    • Maps: Understand that physical and digital maps are the foundation of wilderness navigation, representing two of the five essential tools.
    • Create Custom Maps: Learn to create physical maps specific to your planned trip and how to upload these customizations in a GPX file for use in Gaia GPS.
    • Understand Digital Maps: Gain knowledge on how GPS works, the types of digital maps, and how to download the appropriate maps to Gaia GPS.
    • Emergency Communications: Explore the available options for emergency communications.
    • Critical Navigation Skills: Receive an introduction to essential topics such as Trip Planning, Navigation Workflow, Situational Awareness, and the Ethic of Self-Reliance.

    Join us to enhance your navigation skills and confidently explore the wilderness with modern tools!

    Badges you will earn:

    Course Requirements

    This course has no scheduled activities.

    Roster
    Required Equipment
    • Cell phone with the latest Gaia GPS app installed. You will need a premium (not free) Gaia GPS membership ($59.90/year). A one-year free Premium membership is available to all Mountaineers members (https://www.mountaineers.org/membership/benefits).
    • An Apple- or Windows-based laptop or desktop computer. A tablet might work, but they are troublesome.
    • A magnetic compass, preferably with declination adjustment and a baseplate.
    • The following computer skills are required: The ability to download and upload files to your iOS/Android device and your computer via the internet, send and receive email, and install applications on your iOS/Android device.
    Course Materials
    Name/Description