GAIA GPS TUTORIAL for HIKERS // How to use Gaia GPS App to plan and record hiking routes
Vložit
- čas přidán 26. 12. 2020
- In this tutorial, we show hikers how to use the Gaia GPS app to plan and record hikes and backpacking trips. We show hikers how to create a route with the iPhone/Android app and the web app. We show you how to create waypoints and record your tracks. Gaia GPS is one of the best navigation apps to plan your next adventure.
-
Facebook: / outsidechronicles
Instagram: / outsidechronicles
Website: www.outsidechronicles.com
Great tutorial, I've had Gaia for months and never learned how to use it after moving from Altrails. We aren't hardcore hikers and Altrails got us lost on the Swamp Canyon hike in Bryce, ended up spending the night in 30 deg temps under a cliff face and luckily got rescued the next afternoon by a Deputy,
Glad the video helped out. You definitely have a story at Swamp Canyon. See you outside!
I agree. I've been looking at alot of Gaia beginner youtubes, but yours is best for real beginners who want to learn how to get started.
Thank you! And thanks for watching.
Glad I finally figure out how to mark a route using Gaia. Hope to explore more. Thanks!
Glad it helped, thanks for watching!
Just want to add that depending on what you are doing you should have a waterproof map as a backup
Very helpful, thank you! Love Gaia GPS!
My pleasure, glad it was of value to you.
Gotta say - you’re great at teaching! Well produced, right amount of information - not too in the weeds, and not to fast. well spoken. In short, well done! The only suggestion I’d say (if any one asked) would be that the shelf behind you adds several horizontal lines behind (kind ‘thru’) your head and the pic behind could be moved so not to have the corner ‘poking you’. Only add comment from a photographer composition perspective ( I live in Glacier, WA and do outdoor photog in the N Cascades). Well done and awesome app!
Wow, your comment really made my day. Thank you! And thanks for the suggestions on backgrounds. I cannot do anything to the lower shelf. It’s a raised ranch and the only place I have to film is in the basement. But I can play with the pictures to frame it better.
@@OutsideChronicles Or you could raise or lower your seat... I echo, nice content
Thanks! Great tutorial!
Thank you! Thanks for watching and comment.
Gaia is a good one. I definitely use it for paddling too!
Hope you had a great holiday!
Mark
Gaia is an amazing app. Happy holidays!
Thank you so much Mike for the helpful and informative tutorial on Gaia GPS app! God bless you, good luck and have fun with your outdoor activities!
Awe thanks for the nice comment, see you outside!
@@OutsideChronicles Sure! Thank you so much!
Great tips. Thanks
My pleasure, thanks for watching
Gaiagps rocks. It's my go-to for ADK hikes as a supplement to my old school map. I also use it to export gpx routes and import to garmin connect courses. Happy Adventuring....
I learned about Gaia GPS from this craggy 46er. Thanks for showing me this app high atop the mountains.
@@OutsideChronicles Thanks for the shout-out but not sure I agree with "craggy 46er"....... Besides from what I recall we learned of the GaiaGPS app during our winter trip a few years ago for Hough, Macomb and Grace when a solo hiker with his dog shared our leanto.
Your videos have been incredibly helpful! Very clear and easy to follow. Best I have seen. I am struggling with using the browser and having to delete many unwanted points that get placed when I zoom in or out. I hope this makes sense and you can explain what I am doing wrong!
Glad it was helpful! I am not 100% sure I follow. Are there points being created when you click the plus/minus?
Thanks man!
My pleasure, see you outside!
Absolutely love your channel my daughter sent me to u we’re both binge watching right now 🤣🤣🤣 NEW SUBBY HERE ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you! I really appreciate the nice comment. Let me know what kind of topics you would like to see more of.
You’re very welcome and all your topics are right on point I love it
I came across this video while researching GPS units for mountain biking. I love the way you explain things and have now subscribed to ur channel. Going to download and test this weekend. I like to ride randomly (not preplanned) and want to use this tool to "find my way back" if needed. Do you have to use "record a track", or does the app actually follow you regardless? And is there a way to enter waypoints as you are moving along?
Thanks for the great comment. Gaia will show your location if you do not turn on recording, but to save the track (and see your track back) you need to record. You can then add waypoints either by taking a picture (it will be geocoded) or there is a plus in the top of the menu and then an "Add Waypoint" Another great fitness tracking app is Strava.
Keep it going
Little late to comment but it works really well in vehicles to. I have the app on my phone and with my Apple CarPlay in my gmc then it will load the Gaia app as well and I can use it to navigate backroad
Cool, thanks for the tip! See you outside!
Guess I'm going to have to stop being cheep and pay for one of these apps they seem really helpful!!
The free version works really well except for the offline maps. If you bring up the map first in the area you are going while you have service, it will cache it even in the free version.
Awesome review! Gaia works in Iceland?
Yes, it looks like there is a basemap for Iceland.
Thanks for all your well-made videos. Can a route created in Gaia maps be exported into Avenza maps?
Yes, but not directly. You can export the GPX file from Gaia and load it into Avenza. In Avenza, you will still need to link it to a basemap. You can download one, or use their OpenStreetMaps Beta. If you want to export from Gaia or use GPX files in Avenza, I prefer to build the route in Caltopo. Here is a video on how I do it: czcams.com/video/oeQLOlYJQDA/video.html
@@OutsideChronicles Thanks for the info. Learning a lot from your outdoor videos.
Hoping your still out here answering questions. My one question is going to the Web app, how do I get there? Thanks
Just go to www.gaiagps.com
Good tutorial. Is there a way to show just the hike you searched for on the main map? When I search for local hikes and click "Show on Main Map", the route/track does not show up at all unless I select Map Overlay>Public Tracks. But then it shows every route/track in the area. The expand preview map works fine- shows just that route/ track. I have the basic paid subscription.
I played with it some, it looks like it is an all or nothing overlay. I would suggest creating your own route by tracing/snapping the trail you want to follow and save it as a route. Then you can navigate seeing only the trail you want to follow with the base topo map.
@@OutsideChronicles Thanks for the reply, Mike. I'll give that a shot.
Great information. Do you know how to connect two tracks? I was hiking recently and recording the track, however for some unknown reason my track stopped recording. I noticed it right away so I started recording a new track and completed my hike. Now I'd like to connect the two so I have the hike data combined for the total hiking trip. Appreciate any insight you may have on how to do this! Thank you.
Try this site to merge the GPX files gotoes.org/strava/Combine_GPX_TCX_FIT_Files.php
Wow, that worked perfectly! Thank you so much for your insight, I really appreciate it!@@OutsideChronicles
Very helpful. Quick question. The (phone) app tracks me while I am walking but not recording. Sometimes when I drive away it keeps on tracking - so I have an average walking speed of 40mph or something. Is there a way to tell the app to stop tracking when I am no longer walking? Thanks!
Ah, figured it out!
Is there a way to search for hikes on the map? Similar to how AllTrails shows all the trails overlayed on the map screen.
Yes, move the map to the area you are traveling to and hit the search button. It will popular hikes near by. Then click on them for the route.
I'm new to this so it went way over my head.
No worries, take it slow. I would suggest just starting with some of the basic features like tracking your route when you are on a hike. Just keep playing with the app and come back to this video as you want to expand functionality beyond tracking. Thanks for watching!
@@OutsideChronicles I sure will. I'll be in Nevada Mon.- Thurs. and will us it then.
I'm also new and was not able to keep up with the directions. Never found the 3 dots on the top right side of my iPhone, so everything after that on this video was over my head. I also do not know how to delete the practice maps and get back to "Home".
@@marcia0453 That is the great thing about CZcams, you can pause and replay is necessary. I am sorry I moved quickly in the video.
Plan to go hiking and exploring. How can I save my starting point and get back to my starting point if I feel like I've lost my way ?
You would just create a with the plus button at the top. Also if you are recording your track, you will have the line of travel to guide you back.
I got mine today for 20 dlls a year premium version
I guess I'm in the minority when I say I felt lost by this tutorial. For example, before discussing "Record a Route", you should talk about when a hiker would do this ("you are about to go on this hike") and why you would want to do it ("even though you have done this hike before, this will allow you to compare your performance to your previous hikes on this same trail"). It was also unclear if I'm planning to hike a very well-known and popular trail, do I still need to "Create a Route" or will I be able to find it using Discover. The presenter seems to assume the viewer is already familiar with these apps, whereas I'm a complete novice.
Hey guys I have a question - I need to measure acreage on very rough and uneven terrain and I was wondering if this app can do this accurately ?
Additional information - the process will have to be done offline .. anyone had any experience with this or tips on how to do this simply?
Hi, I assume you want to walk the perimeter? What I would do is record a route by walking it. Then draw a polygon (area) in Gaia. With GIS tools like QGIS or ArcGIS, you can convert the route lines to polygons.
You should specify What Version this is for because my screen doesn’t show the same icons. For example after selecting a local trail shown under Discover, I don’t see the three dots at the to- right of screen, nor do I see the elevation button you selected to see that view?? My app indicates Version 2023.3 (6153)
It would have been the most recent version at the time of publishing. There have been many upgrades since then, but the functionality is all still there. Good suggestion, I will keep it in mind for future videos.
Will this app can still locate me if my phone has no built in GPS in it but I have internet connection
You will need a GPS chipset. It works in Airplane mode b/c it uses GPS
maybe you can answer a question, i have several navigation apps and understand how to use them. used my gia app in an out of service area out of curiosity, my onX works quite well out of service gia failed. i came home loaded the area to the device and returned, when i hit the 'location button it snapped into place but no beacon was showing. i was in an open area, just out of service any ideas?
'
Do you have the paid version of OnX? The paid version of OnX has offline maps. The free version of Gaia does not include offline maps. You would need to load the map, which caches it, prior to going offline. This works for the most part, but if you go beyond what is cached, it my not show the map. The only trusted way to go offline with Gaia is to get the full version.
@@OutsideChronicles i have the paid onX but don't download the maps, it fails once in a while but overall is excellent without downloading. i have the premium GIA and download the maps, it work very well showing the maps but the other day the triangle/beacon what ever you want to call it wouldn't show up. i restarted it a few times and gave up. once back in service a short time later in the same area it showed up. i canceled cal topo a few months ago, pain in the ass
I just want to know how to delete a pin drop. Watching your video on planning a trip I understand I don't always have to have a pin drop, but when I do,...how can I clear that?
Do you mean like an intermediate point on a route or an actual waypoint? If when creating a route (web not app), just hover over the one you do not want and a menu will pop-up to Delete or Add Waypoint. Hope this helps.
Hi, when I turn my screen off to save battery life my trail goes to a straight line. How to I get around this? Thank you
Check to see if you have the app set to use GPS when using the app or always.
I get how to do an Out and Back route, but when I try to do a loop trail, it won't let me put the end point in the same spot as the beginning point. Does that make sense?
I know what you are talking about, I usually put it very close to the end of the return loop and then zoom in to layer the last point on top.
@@OutsideChronicles Thank you for responding! Really enjoyed the video.
When you say" I can click over and see the elevation profile" at 3:12, I spent 20 minutes trying to figure out how you "Clicked over" and I was unable to figure that out.
When you are on a discovered hike, there is an arrow facing to the right next to the word Ascent. That will give you the elevation profile of the route. You can also see the same thing on the GaiaGPS website. See you outside!
Curious how well this works out in the wilderness without cell towers. I have had issues with downloaded google maps since the GPS on your phone still requires cell towers.
The premium version allows for offline maps. You can download a region before the hike. You can try caching the location but bringing it up before the hike with the free version. It only works so good. If you want free offline maps, check out my Avenza Maps videos. That is what I use in the backcountry
GPS in your phone does not require cell service. But, if there's no data service, you need downloaded maps.
@@stevek8829 thanks.
If you start it before you loose service you’re good! I’ve never had a problem after losing service.
I used Gaia and loved it for around 5 years. It quit on me one night and I cannot get it back correct. I even bought a new more modern phone (Android) and still have major problems. I would give anything to get it back.
Nuts, that stinks it is no longer working. Give OnX or Caltopo a try.
Outside Chronicles Will do ! I have ONX as a back up....I love the simplicity of Gaia. I just need one to lay waypoints and record my track.....that’s it. Seem there are too many bells and whistles on all the others I’ve tried. Thanks for the suggestion
@@dwhunter8904 that makes zero sense did u already try contacting support?
@@positronikiss Uhhhh..yes I've contacted them three different times, I waiting on another reply now. Does that make sense for you ?
@@dwhunter8904 No.
Did you try to create and use another account? Erase the original one?
How do we add the coordinates for the WNY Hiking Trails?
Click the plus in the upper right, then Add Waypoint. Copy and paste the Latitude and Longitude from the WNY Hiking Challenge PDF.
@@OutsideChronicles thank you!
@@teresarestey466 My pleasure!
I'm sure I just missed this part, there's a ton of good info here and I'm a total noob. But in offline mode, can the GPS show exactly where you are in relation to your planned highlighted route? So if you start wondering off trail, you'll be able to see it on screen in real time?
Correct, the GPS will still work with the offline map. You can even put your phone into airplane more so it does not drain the battery looking for service.
@@OutsideChronicles Ok. Thank you so much for the vid and quick reply, I've been giving myself anxiety trying to decide how to navigate this next trip on a budget. Any advice on topographic maps to pair with this? I've heard some folks say to not use a Nat-Geo Topo map for navigating the BWCA for example, because they aren't detailed enough. But I cant seem to find anything better
@@TheKokendope I will try to get a map from the local maintainers of the trails like Adirondack Mountain Club or Appalachian Mountain Club, Finger Lakes Trail Conference, etc. I will also make my own maps using Caltopo, I have a couple of tutorials on my CZcams channel. I have actually been using a combo of Caltopo GeospatialPDFs, exported KML routes, USGS maps, and Avenza Maps for offline maps. I am actually going to to a video on how I use this in the field. I have a high level Avenza Maps tutorial on my channel as well. The advantage is free offline maps, the disadvantage is you need to load them yourself as there is no basemap.
@@OutsideChronicles Awesome, seriously thanks for your time and the awesome info it's much appreciated. Subbed, liked, and on my way to those tutorials now
My screen on the android version of the app is not like the one you show. It doesn't have the ellipsis in the upper right corner in Discover. :(
I think they have upgraded the look of that screen across all platforms. There is now a MORE... button in the middle that has some of the same features like Guide Me and Google This. And they moved Directions to its own button.
@@OutsideChronicles I'll have to check that my app is up to date, thanks
I am so frustrated. I just purchased the premium. Up until then with the FREE version Record a track was there . Now with the premipum version I CANNOT find RECORD A TRACK. PLEASE HELP ME BECAUSE I AM ABOUT TO LOSE MY MIND.
You should not lose features by going to premium. You can certainly record tracks with both free and premium versions. Perhaps remove the app and reload it? My record button is at the top as well as in the plus. Hope this helps.
Never using this app again. I recorded a track on my android phone and it has spikes everywhere. It looks horrendous
Why didn’t you show how to send the route created from your computer to your phone ???🤔🤔🤔🤔
When you create a route in the web interface, it will automagically show up in the app.
@@OutsideChronicles I created a route on my hp laptop on the Gaia GPS website. It would not automatically synch to my Gaia app on my iPhone. I searched online and could not find a solution. So I checked my iPhone Gaia app, and on the account tap there is a "synch" tab. I selected that and it worked 👍
@@n.c.108 it will sync in the background eventually, but your method will make it happen immediately. Thanks for the comment!
Bye bye Alltrails....
For sure, also check out my videos on Avenza Maps if you want a free offline option. See you outside.