Perhaps the most convenient option-and most budget-friendly-are apps that use your smartphone’s built-in GPS. A quick flick of the wrist will let you know you’re still on the right path. Day hikers and trail runners who might otherwise go without navigational tools can carry these ultralight options on their arms. On the smaller side, many smartwatches now include sophisticated GPS maps, too. GPS Meets Texting: Stay Connected with the Best Satellite Communicators One with a rescue option can literally be life-saving. In particularly rugged conditions, such as mountaineering expeditions or lengthy backcountry trips, a standalone GPS device with a long battery life can guide you out of a bad situation. Handheld GPS devices use one or more satellite services to map your location, whereas feature-stuffed emergency beacons have multiple satellite networks at their disposal for maximum accuracy with search and rescue.

Whether you want extra security on popular trails or you’re planning an off-trail excursion, there are a few GPS tools you should consider. In most of those scenarios, she turned to GPS-enabled apps and personal locator beacons to keep her safe and on the right route. In 2017, she spent three months hiking 1,000 miles along the Pacific Crest and Oregon Coast trails. The Expert: For the last five years, Colleen Sintchcombe has hiked through desert canyons, alongside glacial rivers, and summited the highest mountain in the contiguous U.S. Although printed maps should be in every hiker’s pack, a hiking GPS has the added benefit of telling you where you are-even when the fog rolls in.

When you’re heading into the backcountry, knowing where you are is critical.

Garmin gps