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My old way of planning a route was just picking a trail on a map
I used to look at a park map, pick a line that looked good, and go. That changed after a tough trip in the White Mountains. I got caught in bad weather on a ridge with no good way down because I didn't check the elevation profile. Now, I always use an app like Gaia GPS to really study the grade. I look at where the big climbs are and plan my campsites near water sources I confirm are reliable. I also check recent trip reports from the park's website to see trail conditions. This extra hour of planning makes the actual hike so much smoother and safer. What's one specific thing you always check on a map before heading out?
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anthonykim6d ago
You didn't check the elevation?
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patricia_rodriguez6d ago
Oh man, that's rough. Getting stuck up there sounds like a total nightmare (and a really good lesson learned).
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