Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Backcountry navigation is definitely a "two is one, one is none" situation. No matter how good your hiking app is, it has multiple failure points that a simple paper map does not. In this video I go over the fundamentals of map reading.
LINKS FROM THIS VIDEO
Backcountry Navigation: Off-Trail Hiking (Plans vs. Reality) - youtu.be/kNK-wh_2m7U
National Geographic maps - amzn.to/44MOHmd
Tom Harrison Maps - amzn.to/3L2lqgD
onX Backcountry Mapping App - onxmaps.com/backcountry/app
Caltopo Free Mapping App - caltopo.com/map.html
Downloadable Topo Maps - livingatlas.arcgis.com/topomapexplorer/#maps=&loc=-98.54,40.15&LoD=4.00
Downloadable USGS Maps - usgs.gov/programs/national-geospatial-program/topographic-maps
Globe Cores - bellerbyandco.com/product/flat-map-gores-personalised-cartography
True Size Map - thetruesize.com/?#
All Trails App Danger - adamthompsonphoto.com/the-problem-with-alltrails
0:00 What is a Map?
0:45 Map Information
1:40 Map Scale
2:36 Map Legend
3:02 Map Declination
3:35 Map Orientation
4:03 Map (Only) Navigation
4:35 Topographic Maps
4:58 Map Contour Lines
6:42 Map Terrain
8:58 Map Colors
9:43 Modern Maps
11:13 Map Dates
11:35 Map Apps
LIKE and SUBSCRIBE and CLICK the BELL for #camping, #hiking, #backpacking, and the gear that goes with it! Using these product links helps this channel grow at no cost to you. THANKS!
WEBSITE - BackcountryPilgrim.com
INSTAGRAM - instagram.com/backcountrypilgrim
FREE BACKPACKING CHECKLIST: BackcountryPilgrim.com/2021/03/12/hiking-backpacking-checklist
MY HIKING GEAR: BackcountryPilgrim.com/my-hiking-gear
MUSIC
Intro/Outro Music: "Happiness" Composer: Benjamin Tissot Standard License certificate #2232653 from bensound.com
Backcountry navigation is definitely a "two is one, one is none" situation. No matter how good your hiking app is, it has multiple failure points that a simple paper map does not. In this video I go over the fundamentals of map reading.
LINKS FROM THIS VIDEO
Backcountry Navigation: Off-Trail Hiking (Plans vs. Reality) - youtu.be/kNK-wh_2m7U
National Geographic maps - amzn.to/44MOHmd
Tom Harrison Maps - amzn.to/3L2lqgD
onX Backcountry Mapping App - onxmaps.com/backcountry/app
Caltopo Free Mapping App - caltopo.com/map.html
Downloadable Topo Maps - livingatlas.arcgis.com/topomapexplorer/#maps=&loc=-98.54,40.15&LoD=4.00
Downloadable USGS Maps - usgs.gov/programs/national-geospatial-program/topographic-maps
Globe Cores - bellerbyandco.com/product/flat-map-gores-personalised-cartography
True Size Map - thetruesize.com/?#
All Trails App Danger - adamthompsonphoto.com/the-problem-with-alltrails
0:00 What is a Map?
0:45 Map Information
1:40 Map Scale
2:36 Map Legend
3:02 Map Declination
3:35 Map Orientation
4:03 Map (Only) Navigation
4:35 Topographic Maps
4:58 Map Contour Lines
6:42 Map Terrain
8:58 Map Colors
9:43 Modern Maps
11:13 Map Dates
11:35 Map Apps
LIKE and SUBSCRIBE and CLICK the BELL for #camping, #hiking, #backpacking, and the gear that goes with it! Using these product links helps this channel grow at no cost to you. THANKS!
WEBSITE - BackcountryPilgrim.com
INSTAGRAM - instagram.com/backcountrypilgrim
FREE BACKPACKING CHECKLIST: BackcountryPilgrim.com/2021/03/12/hiking-backpacking-checklist
MY HIKING GEAR: BackcountryPilgrim.com/my-hiking-gear
MUSIC
Intro/Outro Music: "Happiness" Composer: Benjamin Tissot Standard License certificate #2232653 from bensound.com
