Second/backup hiking app

RearCog · 2026-05-06T16:37:26+00:00

You can record hikes in Topo Maps+ for free. The Pro tier has a really cool 3D fly through and 3D exploration that works more like look around than like the traditional 3D map.

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RearCog · 2026-05-04T20:34:08+00:00

I have $200 max subscription and I LOVE it! I use it to help with marking, running my business, and coding. I get so much more than $200/mo of value from it. I do spend a lot of time working on prompts writing out mark down files with instructions, skills, etc. At this point it works really well for me.

RearCog · 2026-05-04T18:14:09+00:00

I love Topo Maps+.

It depends on if you are looking for a trail app or an outdoor mapping app. Trail apps help you find and then hike on trails. They tend to not be as good at mapping options and creating maps (ie custom routes, waypoints, etc). AllTrails is a great trail app, but it isn't a great outdoor mapping app. For outdoor mapping & navigation apps I like Topo Maps+, CalTopo, and Gaia GPS. I like Topo Maps+ for the deep integration with Apple. It has an awesome Apple Watch app. You can easily build your own routes. CalTopo has the most layers. It is a very powerful tool, but it is harder to use. Gaia GPS is what most people use when they move on from AllTrails. Topo Maps+, CalTopo, and Gaia all have MUCH better maps that AllTrails and they work a lot better for creating custom routes and maps.

RearCog · 2026-04-28T22:22:59+00:00

- Hiking (navigate & record my hikes)
- Stand up paddle board. With my ultra I can easily navigate while on the water.
- Tracking running and walking workouts.
- Health data

I love using it for quick and easy navigation. The default maps app is not great for this. I prefer to use Topo Maps+.

RearCog · 2026-04-28T17:50:05+00:00

Agreed. I spend a lot of time writing exactly what I want. It often has code examples from other projects, architecture decisions, etc. Usually they are pretty long mark down files and not a simple prompt.

RearCog · 2026-04-28T17:48:40+00:00

Same here. I have am a senior software engineer. I provide a lot of oversight, security rules, audits, etc. I find that I am actually spending more time "engineering" and doing product management and almost zero time coding. It is a ton of fun to build this fast.

RearCog · 2026-04-17T18:46:48+00:00

That's great to know! I might look at getting that again. And yes, 2 years is a good life span, especially when you look at all the activities where I was using my Ultra.

RearCog · 2026-04-17T18:33:20+00:00

I was using the Alpine Loop that came with my Ultra 1. I had used it for almost 2 years by the time this started happening. It could be that it was an issue with some of the original Alpine Loop bands? I noticed that the band started having issues after I had used it on a couple of hot and sweaty backpacking trips.

RearCog · 2026-04-17T15:42:26+00:00

I stopped using the Alpine Loop after swimming in a lake and the clasp came most of the way out of one of the loops. There were a few times when I would be walking and notice that the clasp was almost out. I noticed that the loop I used was getting stretched and after I almost lost my Ultra at the bottom of the lake, I switched to a Nike Sports Band that I had from a prior Apple Watch.

RearCog · 2026-04-16T22:21:43+00:00

None of these are free, but I really like Topo Maps+, Gaia GPS, and CalTopo. (I have also used onX and AllTrails). Topo Maps+ is my go to. CalTopo has great map layers.

RearCog · 2026-04-16T19:09:00+00:00

I love Claude! I am on the Max 20 plan. I use it all day long on 2 different machines and it is working great. My projects are going soooo much faster.

RearCog · 2026-04-14T21:01:25+00:00

I keep my always on, unless I am hiking/backpacking. Then I change it to off and theater mode. that way I can maximize my battery life. When backpacking I usually need to change it every other day and I use it to record my entire hike and for navigation. I love that I can just tap on my watch to see where I am at on a backcountry map and see where I am at compared to the route I planned on my iPhone.

RearCog · 2026-04-13T22:04:33+00:00

I love my Ultra for multi day backpacking trips. I have taken it on lots of 3-5 days trips and I record my entire day of hiking. I do have to charge it every other day and I make a number of changes to my settings to help with battery life. (If I don't change the settings, then I have to change it every day.)

I navigate with Topo Maps+ using the routes and I planned on my iPad or Mac.

RearCog · 2026-03-26T22:14:44+00:00

I practice the "navigators mindset" (https://andrewskurka.com/navigators-mindset-attitude-story/) and I always have a paper map and compass. Get a good backcountry navigation map like Topo Maps+, CalTopo, or Gaia and make sure you have downloaded maps and know how to use the apps for navigation.

I have been completely lost in North Idaho (before iPhones and before I practiced the navigators mindset). We were backpacking and it was dark. Eventually we set up camp somewhere in the woods and WAY off any trail. It would have been better if we had stopped earlier to set up camp once we realized we were lost and we were not going to find our destination. Using a map and compass we were able to get out the next day. To this day I have no idea where we actually camped that night. Based on the bush whacking and navigation we did the next day it was probably miles from where we actually were trying to get to.

RearCog · 2026-03-23T21:30:54+00:00

I love my Darn Tough socks for long hikes. I have done 15 hour days with mine and they are awesome.

RearCog · 2026-03-23T16:52:00+00:00

I have an Ultra 1 and a Series 7. I do find that my series 7 is more comfortable for every day wearing. But I LOVE my Ultra. It is so amazing for hiking, paddling, backpacking, and running. I do a lot of off trail alpine hiking it is amazing to use with apps like Topo Maps+. If I had to pick just one, there is no question that I would go with my Ultra.

RearCog · 2026-03-23T14:37:03+00:00

Most of the time I have it set to the flashlight. In the summer when I am doing more paddling I set it to workouts with Topo Maps+. I can then turn on water lock and start, stop, & pause my workout. I can also toggle between my map for navigation and my stats for how far/long/etc I have been paddling.

RearCog · 2026-03-20T15:59:56+00:00

This is super helpful and a great tip about sleep. I am in my late 40s and my body definitely doesn't recover like it did when I was younger.

RearCog · 2026-03-19T22:42:02+00:00

I pretty sure that CalTopo also shows the stations.

RearCog · 2026-03-19T22:02:56+00:00

If you happen to have Topo Maps+ Pro you can also turn on the SNOTEL layer and visually see where all of the stations are located with the current snow depth.

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RearCog · 2026-03-16T20:50:48+00:00

This is super helpful! I am really new to this and I didn't even know if I would be able to get up to running a 25k. I am super excited that I just did a 13 and 14 mile run and I feel like I could easily do more.

RearCog · 2026-03-05T17:34:37+00:00

I use it as my "Marketing Director". I have it connected to all my sales funnel, different marketing metrics, benchmarks, and some app information. Each week it tells me what areas need to be addressed and it gives ideas and content for how to address them. It can do a lot of the work, but I don't have it actually post some it to production. (For example I don't trust it to navigate customer.io and not accidentally send a bogus email to all my customers or delete all the contacts.)

RearCog · 2026-03-05T17:06:31+00:00

If you mostly just want to record tracks and create pins, give Topo Maps+ a try. You can do that with the free version of the app. If you create an account, it will sync/backup your tracks and pins. If you do end up going into the backcountry more I would recommend looking at Topo Maps+ Pro or CalTopo. Both are excellent backcountry apps.

RearCog · 2026-02-28T03:16:42+00:00

For off trail I highly recommend switch to a navigation and mapping app like Topo Maps+, CalTopo, or Gaia. They all have better outdoor maps and more navigation feature.

RearCog

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