A hiker can quickly become lost in dense or maze-like backcountry settings, making outdoor navigation skills vital for any wilderness trip. Modern GPS navigation systems are excellent tools for finding your way, but, as with any device, they can fail. Learn multiple techniques for wilderness navigation, so you can get yourself back on track in even the most confusing backcountry locations.
From navigation to staying dry to predicting the weather, our primer will have you dialed.
We'll show you how to be ready for the the trail in 20 minutes, guaranteed. Now gear up.
Find water anywhere, make a fire in five minutes, learn secrets for battling mosquitoes, and more.
These mistakes are as common as can be—but you don't need to make them.
Make sure you never get lost again by mastering the underappreciated art of navigating with a compass and map.
With map and compass in hand, world-class navigators take to the Estonian forest to compete at the World Orienteering Championships. Who has what it takes to complete this race?
No, it's not allowed (or a good idea) everywhere. But find the right spot, and navigating off trail can open up the wilderness in a whole new way.
Sometimes it’s the fastest way. Often it’s the prettiest. And in places like the Great Lakes region, ice creates temporary routes only winter adventurers get to explore. Stay safe with tips on assessing ice and preparing for self-rescue.
Compass broken? GPS dead? These tips, from backpacker and astronomy Ph.D. candidate Melodie Kao, will ensure that you never get lost in the dark again.*
Geocaching is a high-tech, GPS-enabled scavenger hunt—and getting started is easy.
Is hiking without a headlamp a midsummer night’s dream—or a nightmare?
Off-trail hiking can feel like the best idea ever—until it suddenly doesn't.
Can a novice navigator make the leap to confident cross-country hiker?
Open up a new door to adventure–by leaving the well-trod route behind.
The land changes come winter, and so should your route finding techniques.