Debate: paper maps vs phone GPS for the Pacific Crest Trail. I got burned by my phone twice on the JMT last year.

I hiked a section of the Pacific Crest Trail last summer (around mile 700 near Sierra City) and my phone died twice in one week. First time the battery just gave out after cold temps, second time I had no service and my offline maps app crashed. I had a paper backup of the area from the ranger station and it saved me both times. But paper maps are heavy, take up space, and you can't zoom in on details. I see so many thru-hikers now who rely completely on their phones and honestly it scares me. What do you all do for navigation on longer trips? Do you carry paper maps as a real backup or just trust your phone entirely?

3 comments

3 Comments

phoenixw111mo ago

Nah, paper is non-negotiable. Phone fails too often.

dakotab931mo ago

Carried a paper map of the Sierra section last year after my phone glitched in the cold near Muir Pass, and it saved me when my battery died at 20%. I'd say keep paper for key zones like Sierra or Washington where resupply is sparse and weather is unpredictable, but use the phone for daily navigation since it's lighter.

william_harris1mo ago

Wait your phone glitched in the cold near Muir Pass? That's wild, I've never had that happen but I've heard horror stories. 20% battery dying that fast too, that's scary. I always thought the newer phones could handle freezing temps better but I guess not. Glad you had the paper map, that could have been a real bad situation otherwise.