Pro tip: I stopped using dedicated backpacking GPS units after a phone nearly killed my AT thru-hike

I used to swear by my Garmin inReach for everything. Tracking, navigation, SOS. But last summer on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia, the battery died 3 days into a 5 day stretch when I forgot the cable. Had to use my phone as a backup and realized it worked fine with offline maps. Now I just carry a cheap phone power bank and use Gaia on my phone. Costs way less and works better for what I actually do. Anyone else ditch the dedicated GPS gear?

2 comments

2 Comments

hugo_coleman2815d ago

Saw a similar story on WhiteBlaze about phones taking over. How's Gaia on battery life?

mitchell.mark15d ago

Heard from a few people that Gaia drains battery faster than something like AllTrails if you're downloading maps for offline use. In my experience, it's not terrible on a full charge with a fresh phone, but if your battery is already a few years old it can really take a hit. I remember reading a guy's story on a long hike in the Sierras where his phone died by noon because he had Gaia running and tracking his route the whole time. So I'd say it's fine for day trips but bring a power bank if you're out for more than a few hours.