11/24/17 Backcountry Track Apps

What are people using for cell phone apps In the backcountry?

I'd like to be able to see myself on maps/topo's and be able to see my track to
Follow it back.

Eight years ago my cell phone was pretty good at showing my location in poor service areas - but not anymore.

I'm not a real gear head or tech geek. Just want something simple and reliable.

Thanks, Brian

Gaia, not free but works great.

I started using maps 3D this summer and I really dig that it stores maps offline so it doesn't seem to matter when cell coverage is poor it still finds me... so far and lets me drop a pin. I haven't bothered with most of the functionality because I want my battery to last. I usually just open the map at home so it will be there when the coverage goes, drop a pin at the car, and then maybe one or two others on the way if I want to mark a hazard for the way back or to be able to more easily identify something later at home. The 3D view is both really cool for skiing and frustrating with fat cold fingers trying to turn the view to where you want it. Overall I would recommend for navigation but I have not bothered with capturing a whole track with it. It was 3 or 4 bucks, I believe Gaia was more when I was looking around.

Topo Maps+ from Glacier Peak Studios here in WA is great. The free version is just fine and for a modest amount you can get higher res maps. I haven't found a better one for iOS and I've used a half-dozen or so over the years. The developer Stephen is in Spokane is is very responsive if you've got questions.

We've had our best luck, especially overseas, with USTopo.

Backcountry Navigator for Android phones -- the paid version ($10 or something like that). You need to download offline maps on your phone before your trip to area without cellphone network.

Second for Gaia.

third vote for Gaia. worldwide map data. $20 well spent. uses satellites so always signal, works in airplane mode to extend battery life. can put multiple devices registered to same user so no additional fee. can synch to your desktop for paper map printing (how retro)

motionx.

Really good.

Gaia. It's much better than any GPS device I've used in the past. Although quite powerful, it's also easy and intuitive to use.

And, if you're relying on the phone for navigation, don't forget a spare battery (or small portable charger/battery).

I use a small portable battery and a short cord and leave it plugged into my IPhone. It never gets too cold or loses charge. Now that's even more important.

Thanks for the ideas. I'll be trying them out soon.

(Don't tell anyone but my source says Peak Chair is supposed to open Saturday.)

I'll second Backcountry Navigator. I've been using the paid version for about eight years; every now and then I try something else, but I always come back to it. It has a lot of map sources, which has the nice advantage that I can use it both for backcountry skiing and also load up nautical charts and use it while sailing.