Navigate Boldly and Safely Anywhere

A Navigating Boldly and Safely Hike is more than just a walk through the woods — it’s an immersive learning experience that equips participants with the timeless skills of orienteering and the modern tools that make exploring wild places safer and more rewarding. The journey begins with the basics: a reliable compass and a detailed topographic map, two tools that require no batteries, no cell service, and no signal bars. Participants learn how to interpret terrain features, read contour lines, shoot bearings, and orient themselves in any landscape. Mastering these simple but powerful skills gives hikers the confidence to venture off well-worn paths and discover hidden meadows, ridgelines, and remote valleys they might otherwise never see.

Building on this solid foundation, the hike introduces the benefits of combining traditional navigation with modern technology. Participants get hands-on practice with powerful digital tools like GaiaGPS and Google Earth, learning how to create, mark, and share custom routes and waypoints. Instructors demonstrate how to download maps for offline use, plan safe exit routes, and sync tracks across devices to share with friends or emergency contacts. This thoughtful blend of old and new ensures that explorers have multiple layers of preparation, giving them the freedom to navigate both on and off trail with greater situational awareness and peace of mind.

Equally vital to safe backcountry travel is understanding and carrying the Ten Essentials — the tried-and-true gear list that prepares hikers for unexpected challenges, from sudden storms to a wrong turn at dusk. But gear alone is not enough. This workshop emphasizes how to use these essentials effectively and pairs them with critical planning questions every adventurer must answer: Who knows my current location? When do they expect me back? What’s the plan if I don’t return on time? Participants learn how a satellite messenger like the SPOT Gen4 can keep emergency contacts updated in real time by tracking their location from the moment they leave home until they return. With live tracking turned on, the search in Search and Rescue can often be eliminated altogether — rescuers know exactly where to find you, saving precious hours or even days. Combined with strong navigation skills and a mindset for preparedness, this approach empowers hikers to explore boldly and safely, deepening their connection to wild places while honoring the responsibility that true adventure requires.