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Course Details
The Backpacking Light Masterclass How to Use Gaia GPS provides a trusted and methodical framework that gives hikers and other backcountry enthusiasts the confidence to use Gaia GPS to plan their own adventures.
Learning how to plan and track hiking and backpacking trips is challenging because so much information and education has been developed by those who lack deep trip planning and expedition experience or expertise. In this masterclass, expert instruction combined with methodical, intuitive education simplifies and enhances the process of learning.
Hands-on, step-by-step video tutorials featuring both the Gaia GPS desktop and mobile apps combined with comprehensive field case studies are used to solidify key concepts in an easy-to-understand manner.
This course is targeted primarily to adventurers pursuing human-powered outdoor sports: hiking, backpacking, trail running, packrafting, mountain biking, bikepacking, mountaineering, canoe & kayak tripping, river-running, backcountry ski touring, snowshoeing, and more. The focus is on backcountry exploration.
This online, self-paced video course provides more than 4 hours of video content in 19 modules (see below for curriculum).
Example screenshots:
Course Curriculum
Module 1
Introduction to Gaia GPS for hiking and backcountry travel
Module 2
User interface / product tour of the Gaia GPS website app
Module 3
User interface / product tour of the Gaia GPS mobile app
Module 4
How to study the Gaia GPS map for trip and route planning
Module 5
How to show or hide map elements in Gaia GPS with overlay vs visibility toggles
Module 6
How to build your personal map library in Gaia GPS
Module 7
What maps should I add to my library for planning backpacking trips in Gaia GPS?
Module 8
How to access your saved data in Gaia GPS – using the map vs. your data library
Module 9
How and why to personalize key settings in Gaia GPS
Module 10
How to download maps to your device in Gaia GPS
Module 11
How does Gaia GPS sync work?
Module 12
How to create, edit, and manage waypoints in Gaia GPS
Module 13
How to create, edit, and manage routes in Gaia GPS
Module 14
How to setup a folder hierarchy and manage your data in Gaia GPS
Module 15
Considerations for sharing geo-tagged routes, tracks, and photos
Module 16
How to print maps in Gaia GPS
Module 17
How to use Gaia GPS to plan, track, and organize day hikes
Module 18
Case Study: How to use Gaia GPS to plan, track, and organize a multi-day backpacking trip
Module 19
Live Q&A with Gaia GPS
Instructor
Ryan Jordan
Ryan Jordan is the publisher and founder of Backpacking Light. Ryan teaches ultralight mountain hiking seminars and guides clients on treks and expeditions worldwide. He has trained Scout leaders, search and rescue personnel, land management agency staff, the media, outdoor educators and program leaders, wilderness guides, and adventure travelers. Seminars and field outings focus on self-sufficiency and solo travel, skills for managing ultralight gear in inclement conditions, increasing navigation and travel efficiency in complex terrain environments, and long-distance ultralight hiking without resupply.
