Your point about photography is exactly what drew me back into backpacking after a bit of an absence! I couldn't wake up early enough to get to the good spots for sunrise, but if I spent the night I'd be there for both sunset AND sunrise the next morning!
Photography gear is such a complex problem to solve here. There are SO many variables and options, just depending on the type of photography you are doing and what type of equipment you have. I do plan on writing a lot more about it in the future, but if you have any specific questions about your photography wants or needs let me know (here, DM's, email, whatever) and I'll give you my input!
You have an excellent set up. Much better than mine, I must say! I'd say that 2 lenses are fine, but I wouldn't carry more than that. My main lens is an 18-135mm. My 2nd lens is a 55-300mm. A lot of overlap, but its what was available at a price I could afford, for the longer reach. I highly recommend experimenting with the longer focal lengths for mountain shots. The image compression you get makes the mountains look like mountains!
For packing, I have an F-Stop Gear small camera insert, but any small padded camera cube will do.
It contains my camera body w/ main lens, extra lens, and all of the batteries and battery packs, cables, and lens wipes or cloths that I might need. Its in the main compartment of my pack (mine is 70 liters so yours should be about the same), so that I can access it easily. If there is any hint of rain in the forecast it goes in a dry sack.
HOWEVER, there are times when I want the camera accessible while I'm hiking. Sometimes the light is really good when I'm on the move, or I think there's a chance I might see wildlife and need it right away. Then I use this-
The Peak Design capture clip will attach to just about any backpack strap. It uses the base plate that connects your camera to the tripod to secure the camera. I have found this device to be outstanding. The only consideration here is that your camera will be out in the open, exposed to the elements. You'll probably want to cover it if its raining.
As far as tripods go, I'd definitely look at carbon fiber options. I'm in the midst of this debate myself for the Foothills Trail. I have a great carbon fiber tripod, but its not built for travel and still very heavy. Otherwise, I have a travel tripod that's much lighter, but flimsier. That Mefoto tripod looks like a great piece of kit. I would only consider upgrading if you have the means and want a lighter option. Then, I'd suggest looking at carbon fiber. Hope this helps!
Erik, thank you for sharing this and I do hope you continue writing posts like this. I’m a 53 year old and have been backpacking in the backcountry for well more than 25 years. I recall the days when throwing a 45 or 50 pound pack on my back and heading out onto the trail for 5 or 6 days was nothing. Now, as I find myself getting more “seasoned” those little aches and tweaks are becoming more persistent. So I’m always on the search to find a better way, something that will allow me to continue to spend a week or two weeks in the backcountry with as little stress to my body as possible.
I’ve discovered over the course of my life that this time I spend alone in the wilderness is part of my soul. The thought of physically not being able to do it anymore is terrifying to me. I need this time, it has become a part of my identity and who I wish to be. When people ask me”what do you do?” I’ll say I’m an explorer…haha…and in my spare time I work as a consultant.
Man, it sounds like you have a fantastic base of experience! I'm 47 years old, myself, so getting up there, too. I've also bounced back from several pretty severe injuries over the years. I'll do a much deeper dive in the future about the training, diet, etc, that has helped me. Maybe parts of that can work for you, too.
You and I have MANY more miles of trails ahead of us still! Look up the author Colin Fletcher. That man was thru hiking well into his 70's and the only thing that stopped him was getting struck by a car. Or, on Substack, check out Julia Hubbel (not sure if I can tag in a comment @juliahubbel). She's in her 70's and an absolute badass adventurer!
I'm right there with you on the importance of alone time in the wild. That time is ingrained in our beings and we carry it with us always!
What’s your tent? I’m finally making the jump from a freestanding to trekking pole tent, excited. Just getting a Durston X-Mid 2, everyone seems to unanimously love them.
Fantastic words Erik and a really interesting article. Much of what you said in the theory section resonated with me. I have a strong calling to spend time in nature and to share my knowledge and experiences with others and like you I choose to do that through photography and writing. Despite this my call to the outdoors is not all about image making, it is much more of a need to experience nature and connect with the world around me. Nature makes me a better person and I need to feel part of it. My adventures are on a much smaller scale to yours but I don't think that makes them any less important. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your journey and I look forward to the next instalment of this series.
Gill, the scale of the adventure does not actually matter in the end. Your adventures are much MORE important than mine because they are your own! You are right about the importance of experiencing and connecting with nature, above and beyond photography and writing. Last week I backpacked an area called Panthertown Valley. I didn't force the photography, took fewer photos than I ever have on a trip, but still had an excellent experience.
I wrote about backpacking because it is what I know a lot about. Part of what I was trying to get at, and I need to clarify more in the future, is how planning and preparation can make ANY adventure, even a familiar local trip, more streamlined and easier, and therefore more accessible. Thanks for reading and I'm glad you got something from it!
I've heard great things about the Durston. Making the switch to a trekking pole tent has been a game changer for me. I haven't yet come across a situation where I needed a freestanding tent, but I also haven't camped on loose sand or snow. On my trip last week I was on a rocky outcrop covered with just a thin layer of soil. I couldn't drive the stakes in very well, but was able to brace them with rocks and it worked out perfectly.
My tent is a Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo. Its a single wall vs the double wall of the Durston. I though condensation would be a problem, but hasn't been too bad. The Durston is a roomier tent. Their floor space is actually pretty similar, but since the Lunar Solo is a 1 pole tent you lose a lot of head room. I am a smaller guy at 5'8"/170, and this isn't a problem for me, but many taller guys say its too small for them. It does weigh about 8 oz less than the Durston, though.
I think the Durston would be an excellent choice and I'm pretty confident that you'll love a trekking pole tent!
Yes!!! This is a fantastic introduction to what you do for others who may want to do the same. I think these mini guides / info bits will be super useful. You know I'm just here for the scenery and inspirational music lol. But I'm looking forward to seeing how this rolls out.
I have thank you, Kristi! I took inspiration from what you said before, that an expert is simply someone who knows a bit more than the average person.
I feel like I have quite a lot more I can write similar to this one, and I do plan on writing more. But this post has been a weird one. I got comments on Instagram and Facebook, which never happens. On the other hand, the stats haven't been great and I got a number of unsubscribes the day I posted it.
I have it turned off, too. I just saw where the number was that morning and later in the day it was a bit lower. Could be a coincidence or delayed posting if stats.
Thanks Erik for a great read. Your advice of being clear on the purpose of your adventure is so important. For me, I am usually there to photograph the landscape, not to walk the landscape. A small difference, but when you are wet, cold and tired the temptation to focus on the walking to get to camp can mean missing potential images. (That's where field craft, experience and training come in - don't get wet, cold and tired)
Great point James. Walking vs photographing is an interesting nuance. Maybe there can be some grey area, as well. I recently explored an area called Panthertown Valley. This trip was tilted a bit more towards walking and exploring the land, although I would still say the purpose that got me there was photography (and I got a bit wet on day 2, lol).
I've got to get more consistent with reading your posts + commenting!! This was a great read. Love the idea of purpose and Your Why when embarking on an adventure/thru hike....as you are seeing, reading my own journey, I lost sight of my Why and that's when things got HARD!! If you ever want to message me or discuss pack weight, I love to nerd out about that kind of thing. There are a lot of small ways to shave down weight....one easy fix for you might be to swap packs; I saw your pack alone is over 5lbs. You don't need go go buy a $500 hyper lite /ultralight pack, but REI offers a lot of $200ishhh packs that weigh around 2lbs. You got this! Hope to be reading about your Foothills trek soon!
Thanks, Niki! Yes, reading your struggles has made me consider how I'll cope with a longer trip, especially since I'm hiking solo. Its inspiring to read how you continue on!
I'll definitely take you up on messaging you when I run into questions. The pack I use now is an Osprey Aether 70. It is heavy, but its very solid and comfortable. I will upgrade at some point, but am looking at other things first. That listed pack weight includes a separate chest pouch I've been wearing. It's been very useful, but weighs over a pound by itself. I left it behind on my last overnight trip.
Also, I just locked in the dates for the Foothills Trail! I should be stepping off May 5 and can't wait to write about it!
Thanks!! I'm glad my hike has been thought provoking! Ooh yeah, Ospreys are awesome, and I've noticed some of them tend to run on the heavier side. Excited to hear about your gear upgrades (I need to do the same for the Long Trail and am NOT looking forward to shelling out the cash for it..) and even moreso, your Foothills Trail hike! Congrats on choosing the date!!
I don't know if I agree that adventure needs a purpose. I've rarely haven't had a conscious meaning or intent on most adventures. While I do have an underlying drive to explore and a need for uncertainty, risk, and challenge, it rarely goes deeper than that. It's just what I do. I certainly have had some trips with a purpose, but most are just adventures for the sake of adventure. And the best ones are typically unplanned with no mission or goal.
Man, I have had some excellent adventures that were completely unplanned! Just me venturing out to see what I could get into and how it would evolve. But, for me, those were almost all as a kid when I had very few worries or responsibilities.
Everybody's circumstances are different. For me, I got into career fields that were sometimes very exciting, but always exhausting. The pay was enough to get by on, but not really good when faced with a mortgage, inflation, taxes, eventually kids, and all of the things. What free time I had was divided between chores or working overtime. I think a lot of people are in a similar scenario.
So, when I write that adventures need a purpose, my intent was not that the adventure itself NEEDS a purpose, but that I needed a purpose to adventure. My daily routine was exhausting enough that I came to a point where it had been years since I backpacked. It was way to easy to sit on the couch and watch TV in the little downtime I had. Then, all of the epic things became stuff I used to do. I think it is awesome if this is not the case for you, but I needed to find a purpose in order to spend the additional time, money, and energy to get out and do more. I hope this clarifies what I was trying to convey.
One of the reasons I love your newsletter so much is that I’m disabled and not able to go hiking anymore. Your work takes me into nature far beyond my backyard so please, keep on hiking and sharing your photos!
Lia, this is one of the highest compliments I have ever gotten. Thank you, and thanks for being here! I'm only just getting warmed up with Field Notes. I just explored an area called Panthertown Valley. The first issue of that trip comes out Sunday. I've got even bigger adventures lined up after that. Don't worry, I've got plenty of hiking to come. I just hope to do justice to those lands and to you as a reader/viewer!
Great read. Looking forward to seeing your adjustments over time. The Foothill Trail sounds very do-able, though your camera weight seems excessive, especially after adding food and water. I’ll review the Foothills, as I don’t know if you pass groceries or convenience stores, etc. where you can replenish without carrying unnecessary weight - especially water. Diet is huge of course - where are you picking up your protein and carbs? Does this mean heavier food weight - more water for cooking? If you don’t mind cold meals, sandwiches, etc., cut the stove. maybe think in terms of cutting meals that need water…. As you know, a liter of water equals 2.2 pounds. Carrying 2 liters is adding five pounds to your pack. Still, Erik, this is very exciting and I can’t wait to read about your journey! Thanks for the heads up of other adventure writers!
Thanks, Jonathan! I'll do more pack weight break downs and compare them to this in the future. I plan to do the Foothills in 5 days, so no need for a re-supply. Not too worried about carrying water because the trail follows rivers most of the way.
I don't want to ditch the stove because 1) coffee and 2) if I cold soak dinner I'm just carrying more water weight. I'm going to bring a couple of commercial backpacking meals, but I've also been experimenting with making my own dehydrated meals. So far they've worked very well!
Hi Erik, the Foothills Trail looks great. Lots of elevational gains and descents, etc., plenty of camping sites and water resources too. Looks like you will need a bear canister (heavy - ugh!) unless you are proficient with hanging your food sack on cables. I heard a commentator mention using the canister for clothing until night time. She carried her food separately as it packed better outside the canister. Interesting thought. Again, I will enjoy following along on your hike. Oh, do you use a Garmin InReach or are you simply relying on your phone to connect where you have a signal?
I have a bear canister, but I'm not taking it on this trip. I only bring that thing when the rules require it. I generally use an Ursack as my food bag, though. I'll hang it on cables when available, but I'm pretty familiar with hanging it without them, too. Worst case, I'll tie it to a tree. My food might get crushed and covered with bear slobber, but the bear won't get the food!
I don't have an InReach. Can't afford one right now and haven't really felt the need for it. I already have the route mapped out with campsites, water, etc in Gaia GPS. I can put my phone in airplane mode and still see my position on the map, even without a cell signal at all. And, I'll have a paper map/compass as a back up.
Your point about photography is exactly what drew me back into backpacking after a bit of an absence! I couldn't wake up early enough to get to the good spots for sunrise, but if I spent the night I'd be there for both sunset AND sunrise the next morning!
Photography gear is such a complex problem to solve here. There are SO many variables and options, just depending on the type of photography you are doing and what type of equipment you have. I do plan on writing a lot more about it in the future, but if you have any specific questions about your photography wants or needs let me know (here, DM's, email, whatever) and I'll give you my input!
You have an excellent set up. Much better than mine, I must say! I'd say that 2 lenses are fine, but I wouldn't carry more than that. My main lens is an 18-135mm. My 2nd lens is a 55-300mm. A lot of overlap, but its what was available at a price I could afford, for the longer reach. I highly recommend experimenting with the longer focal lengths for mountain shots. The image compression you get makes the mountains look like mountains!
For packing, I have an F-Stop Gear small camera insert, but any small padded camera cube will do.
https://fstopgear.com/pro-small-camera-insert/
It contains my camera body w/ main lens, extra lens, and all of the batteries and battery packs, cables, and lens wipes or cloths that I might need. Its in the main compartment of my pack (mine is 70 liters so yours should be about the same), so that I can access it easily. If there is any hint of rain in the forecast it goes in a dry sack.
HOWEVER, there are times when I want the camera accessible while I'm hiking. Sometimes the light is really good when I'm on the move, or I think there's a chance I might see wildlife and need it right away. Then I use this-
https://www.peakdesign.com/collections/clips/products/capture-clip-only
The Peak Design capture clip will attach to just about any backpack strap. It uses the base plate that connects your camera to the tripod to secure the camera. I have found this device to be outstanding. The only consideration here is that your camera will be out in the open, exposed to the elements. You'll probably want to cover it if its raining.
As far as tripods go, I'd definitely look at carbon fiber options. I'm in the midst of this debate myself for the Foothills Trail. I have a great carbon fiber tripod, but its not built for travel and still very heavy. Otherwise, I have a travel tripod that's much lighter, but flimsier. That Mefoto tripod looks like a great piece of kit. I would only consider upgrading if you have the means and want a lighter option. Then, I'd suggest looking at carbon fiber. Hope this helps!
Erik, thank you for sharing this and I do hope you continue writing posts like this. I’m a 53 year old and have been backpacking in the backcountry for well more than 25 years. I recall the days when throwing a 45 or 50 pound pack on my back and heading out onto the trail for 5 or 6 days was nothing. Now, as I find myself getting more “seasoned” those little aches and tweaks are becoming more persistent. So I’m always on the search to find a better way, something that will allow me to continue to spend a week or two weeks in the backcountry with as little stress to my body as possible.
I’ve discovered over the course of my life that this time I spend alone in the wilderness is part of my soul. The thought of physically not being able to do it anymore is terrifying to me. I need this time, it has become a part of my identity and who I wish to be. When people ask me”what do you do?” I’ll say I’m an explorer…haha…and in my spare time I work as a consultant.
Man, it sounds like you have a fantastic base of experience! I'm 47 years old, myself, so getting up there, too. I've also bounced back from several pretty severe injuries over the years. I'll do a much deeper dive in the future about the training, diet, etc, that has helped me. Maybe parts of that can work for you, too.
You and I have MANY more miles of trails ahead of us still! Look up the author Colin Fletcher. That man was thru hiking well into his 70's and the only thing that stopped him was getting struck by a car. Or, on Substack, check out Julia Hubbel (not sure if I can tag in a comment @juliahubbel). She's in her 70's and an absolute badass adventurer!
I'm right there with you on the importance of alone time in the wild. That time is ingrained in our beings and we carry it with us always!
What’s your tent? I’m finally making the jump from a freestanding to trekking pole tent, excited. Just getting a Durston X-Mid 2, everyone seems to unanimously love them.
Fantastic words Erik and a really interesting article. Much of what you said in the theory section resonated with me. I have a strong calling to spend time in nature and to share my knowledge and experiences with others and like you I choose to do that through photography and writing. Despite this my call to the outdoors is not all about image making, it is much more of a need to experience nature and connect with the world around me. Nature makes me a better person and I need to feel part of it. My adventures are on a much smaller scale to yours but I don't think that makes them any less important. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your journey and I look forward to the next instalment of this series.
Gill, the scale of the adventure does not actually matter in the end. Your adventures are much MORE important than mine because they are your own! You are right about the importance of experiencing and connecting with nature, above and beyond photography and writing. Last week I backpacked an area called Panthertown Valley. I didn't force the photography, took fewer photos than I ever have on a trip, but still had an excellent experience.
I wrote about backpacking because it is what I know a lot about. Part of what I was trying to get at, and I need to clarify more in the future, is how planning and preparation can make ANY adventure, even a familiar local trip, more streamlined and easier, and therefore more accessible. Thanks for reading and I'm glad you got something from it!
I've heard great things about the Durston. Making the switch to a trekking pole tent has been a game changer for me. I haven't yet come across a situation where I needed a freestanding tent, but I also haven't camped on loose sand or snow. On my trip last week I was on a rocky outcrop covered with just a thin layer of soil. I couldn't drive the stakes in very well, but was able to brace them with rocks and it worked out perfectly.
My tent is a Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo. Its a single wall vs the double wall of the Durston. I though condensation would be a problem, but hasn't been too bad. The Durston is a roomier tent. Their floor space is actually pretty similar, but since the Lunar Solo is a 1 pole tent you lose a lot of head room. I am a smaller guy at 5'8"/170, and this isn't a problem for me, but many taller guys say its too small for them. It does weigh about 8 oz less than the Durston, though.
I think the Durston would be an excellent choice and I'm pretty confident that you'll love a trekking pole tent!
Yes!!! This is a fantastic introduction to what you do for others who may want to do the same. I think these mini guides / info bits will be super useful. You know I'm just here for the scenery and inspirational music lol. But I'm looking forward to seeing how this rolls out.
I have thank you, Kristi! I took inspiration from what you said before, that an expert is simply someone who knows a bit more than the average person.
I feel like I have quite a lot more I can write similar to this one, and I do plan on writing more. But this post has been a weird one. I got comments on Instagram and Facebook, which never happens. On the other hand, the stats haven't been great and I got a number of unsubscribes the day I posted it.
Wth? How dare they!! 😁 I know, it never feels good to get unsubs. But as they say, I guess they just weren't your people.
Lol! True, I guess!
I turned off unsubscribe notifications so I don't have to know when it happens. Maybe worth trying if it gets you down.
I have it turned off, too. I just saw where the number was that morning and later in the day it was a bit lower. Could be a coincidence or delayed posting if stats.
Oooh I remember seeing a notice in the dashboard about inaccurate numbers due to a system issue. Maybe that was it?
Thanks Erik for a great read. Your advice of being clear on the purpose of your adventure is so important. For me, I am usually there to photograph the landscape, not to walk the landscape. A small difference, but when you are wet, cold and tired the temptation to focus on the walking to get to camp can mean missing potential images. (That's where field craft, experience and training come in - don't get wet, cold and tired)
Great point James. Walking vs photographing is an interesting nuance. Maybe there can be some grey area, as well. I recently explored an area called Panthertown Valley. This trip was tilted a bit more towards walking and exploring the land, although I would still say the purpose that got me there was photography (and I got a bit wet on day 2, lol).
I've got to get more consistent with reading your posts + commenting!! This was a great read. Love the idea of purpose and Your Why when embarking on an adventure/thru hike....as you are seeing, reading my own journey, I lost sight of my Why and that's when things got HARD!! If you ever want to message me or discuss pack weight, I love to nerd out about that kind of thing. There are a lot of small ways to shave down weight....one easy fix for you might be to swap packs; I saw your pack alone is over 5lbs. You don't need go go buy a $500 hyper lite /ultralight pack, but REI offers a lot of $200ishhh packs that weigh around 2lbs. You got this! Hope to be reading about your Foothills trek soon!
Thanks, Niki! Yes, reading your struggles has made me consider how I'll cope with a longer trip, especially since I'm hiking solo. Its inspiring to read how you continue on!
I'll definitely take you up on messaging you when I run into questions. The pack I use now is an Osprey Aether 70. It is heavy, but its very solid and comfortable. I will upgrade at some point, but am looking at other things first. That listed pack weight includes a separate chest pouch I've been wearing. It's been very useful, but weighs over a pound by itself. I left it behind on my last overnight trip.
Also, I just locked in the dates for the Foothills Trail! I should be stepping off May 5 and can't wait to write about it!
Thanks!! I'm glad my hike has been thought provoking! Ooh yeah, Ospreys are awesome, and I've noticed some of them tend to run on the heavier side. Excited to hear about your gear upgrades (I need to do the same for the Long Trail and am NOT looking forward to shelling out the cash for it..) and even moreso, your Foothills Trail hike! Congrats on choosing the date!!
I don't know if I agree that adventure needs a purpose. I've rarely haven't had a conscious meaning or intent on most adventures. While I do have an underlying drive to explore and a need for uncertainty, risk, and challenge, it rarely goes deeper than that. It's just what I do. I certainly have had some trips with a purpose, but most are just adventures for the sake of adventure. And the best ones are typically unplanned with no mission or goal.
Man, I have had some excellent adventures that were completely unplanned! Just me venturing out to see what I could get into and how it would evolve. But, for me, those were almost all as a kid when I had very few worries or responsibilities.
Everybody's circumstances are different. For me, I got into career fields that were sometimes very exciting, but always exhausting. The pay was enough to get by on, but not really good when faced with a mortgage, inflation, taxes, eventually kids, and all of the things. What free time I had was divided between chores or working overtime. I think a lot of people are in a similar scenario.
So, when I write that adventures need a purpose, my intent was not that the adventure itself NEEDS a purpose, but that I needed a purpose to adventure. My daily routine was exhausting enough that I came to a point where it had been years since I backpacked. It was way to easy to sit on the couch and watch TV in the little downtime I had. Then, all of the epic things became stuff I used to do. I think it is awesome if this is not the case for you, but I needed to find a purpose in order to spend the additional time, money, and energy to get out and do more. I hope this clarifies what I was trying to convey.
One of the reasons I love your newsletter so much is that I’m disabled and not able to go hiking anymore. Your work takes me into nature far beyond my backyard so please, keep on hiking and sharing your photos!
Lia, this is one of the highest compliments I have ever gotten. Thank you, and thanks for being here! I'm only just getting warmed up with Field Notes. I just explored an area called Panthertown Valley. The first issue of that trip comes out Sunday. I've got even bigger adventures lined up after that. Don't worry, I've got plenty of hiking to come. I just hope to do justice to those lands and to you as a reader/viewer!
Great read. Looking forward to seeing your adjustments over time. The Foothill Trail sounds very do-able, though your camera weight seems excessive, especially after adding food and water. I’ll review the Foothills, as I don’t know if you pass groceries or convenience stores, etc. where you can replenish without carrying unnecessary weight - especially water. Diet is huge of course - where are you picking up your protein and carbs? Does this mean heavier food weight - more water for cooking? If you don’t mind cold meals, sandwiches, etc., cut the stove. maybe think in terms of cutting meals that need water…. As you know, a liter of water equals 2.2 pounds. Carrying 2 liters is adding five pounds to your pack. Still, Erik, this is very exciting and I can’t wait to read about your journey! Thanks for the heads up of other adventure writers!
Thanks, Jonathan! I'll do more pack weight break downs and compare them to this in the future. I plan to do the Foothills in 5 days, so no need for a re-supply. Not too worried about carrying water because the trail follows rivers most of the way.
I don't want to ditch the stove because 1) coffee and 2) if I cold soak dinner I'm just carrying more water weight. I'm going to bring a couple of commercial backpacking meals, but I've also been experimenting with making my own dehydrated meals. So far they've worked very well!
Hi Erik, the Foothills Trail looks great. Lots of elevational gains and descents, etc., plenty of camping sites and water resources too. Looks like you will need a bear canister (heavy - ugh!) unless you are proficient with hanging your food sack on cables. I heard a commentator mention using the canister for clothing until night time. She carried her food separately as it packed better outside the canister. Interesting thought. Again, I will enjoy following along on your hike. Oh, do you use a Garmin InReach or are you simply relying on your phone to connect where you have a signal?
I have a bear canister, but I'm not taking it on this trip. I only bring that thing when the rules require it. I generally use an Ursack as my food bag, though. I'll hang it on cables when available, but I'm pretty familiar with hanging it without them, too. Worst case, I'll tie it to a tree. My food might get crushed and covered with bear slobber, but the bear won't get the food!
I don't have an InReach. Can't afford one right now and haven't really felt the need for it. I already have the route mapped out with campsites, water, etc in Gaia GPS. I can put my phone in airplane mode and still see my position on the map, even without a cell signal at all. And, I'll have a paper map/compass as a back up.