Author: Stone7

Hello from Yve and Maggie.  No matter where you are, we hope you are well and able to get outside for a little nature therapy (with appropriate social distancing measures of course).  We have found that exercise has been a mainstay in our daily need for “mental breaks” from the stress of all things Covid-19.   Also, our awkward dogs love it . . .

We wanted to check in with you during this time of uncertainty and to assure you we’re following Covid-19 news from the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control, and the Montana State Governor’s office daily.  Covid-19 is a new experience for all of us, and we are available and happy to answer any questions the best we can regarding the virus and your trip.  Many of you have probably been thinking about how all of this may impact your trip this summer.  At this point, we are remaining optimistic and preparing for our trips.  However, we want to be flexible because we do not know what will happen in the next few months.  The health and safety of you, our employees, families and community is the number one priority for us.

A few updates about your trip:

Because of the uncertainty surrounding the timeline and effects of the virus, we have made the following changes and updates to your Dropstone trip this summer. These are extraordinary circumstances that call for changes to our normal policies.

1. The trip balance due dates for the all trips have been moved to a month before the trip start date.
2. If we are forced to cancel a trip after the trip balance due date, we will refund your trip balance.
3. We STRONGLY recommend trip insurance.  While there are limitations to what travel insurance will cover with covid-19, most will cover if you get sick with the virus and cannot come on the trip. DO NOT come on the trip if you test positive for coronavirus within a two week time period before the trip or if you are feeling ill. PLEASE read below about travel insurance.
4. Cleanliness and sanitation have always been an important part of our daily routine both on the trail and off. With the arrival of Covid-19, we have ramped up our sanitation procedures even more and have made it a top priority in all areas of our operation. Additionally, we have been in touch with our state Outfitting and Guides Association about industry standards being developed for sanitation and infection control policies.  We will update you as we get closer to the trip date about what our procedures and policies are, what we are doing to enact them and what we may require of you.
5. If your trip is scheduled early in the summer, and you would rather go on a trip later in the season, let us know.  As things are in flux, we may be able to get you on a different trip.

As a courtesy to us, we ask two things:

1. If you know that you will not be coming on the trip, please let us know sooner rather than later in the event that we can find someone to take your spot.
2. Please buy trip insurance.  This is a way that may protect all of us from the financial hardship associated with covid-19.

Travel Insurance Information

–    If you have not gotten trip insurance, we strongly encourage you to do so.  There are several good options out there including World Nomads, TravelGuard and Global Rescue’s IMG Signature Travel Insurance.  Purchasing trip insurance is a step that may protect all of us from the financial impacts of the virus. ****Below are a few key take-aways from our current understanding on some of the policies available, but it is up to you to make sure you understand the coverage in your policy.***

• • World Nomads is one of the few insurance companies that does not have a pandemic exclusion.  It is still available for you to purchase even if you put a trip deposit down months ago. Plans cover if you, a travel companion, or  (in some cases) a loved one gets Covid-19 or are quarantined and you can’t travel as a result. In some cases it may cover if a doctor deems it medically unsafe for you to travel.  Similar to all of the plans that are not “cancel for any reason”, coverage does not include fear of getting sick or trip cancellation or interruption because of travel restrictions or closures in place because of Covid-19.  

• • The medium grade TravelGuard and regular IMG Signature Travel Insurance covers trip cancellation if you contract COVID – 19 before the trip and are unable to participate. You can still sign up for this policy even if you paid trip deposit months ago. (Disclaimer – each individual should check with their policy to understand the specifics of this coverage).  These policies will not cover fear of getting sick or travel restrictions or closures in place that may affect your ability to travel to Montana or for Dropstone to operate our business.  

• • “Cancel for any reason” policies — TravelGuard and IMG Signature Travel Insurance have “cancel for any reason policies” which are the most comprehensive in regards to COVID – 19 coverage. TravelGuard may cover up to 100% of your trip if you purchase “cancel for any reason” as an add on, although this is also the most expensive plan. These policies are still available even if you signed up for the trip in December and have not gotten insurance yet. IMG Signature Travel Insurance Plus will usually cover up to 75%, but it must be purchased within 20 days of initial deposit. If you signed up for a trip several months ago, then this option is not available.

As we continue to learn more about the novel coronavirus and the timelines associated with social distancing, we will update you to how it may affect your trip. Flexibility and communication will be our guiding principle through this time of uncertainty, so please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.  We will update this blog frequently, post any new information on Facebook, and keep you informed via email and phone.

We are working hard to provide safe, fun outings this summer.  A little fresh air, relaxation, and adventure in the Bob Marshall Wilderness will be the perfect reprieve from all things corona.  

We wish you health, sanity, and safety —

Maggie and Yve

Naked Apes need to layer up . . .

As a kid heading out to play, my parents would always yell at me to layer up.  I had no idea what they meant but as time went on, it finally began to sink in.  Living in Montana the weather can be variable and so can the activity.  Being able to add or subtract clothing (or layers) keeps you warm and comfortable.

Even in the summer, mornings and evenings in the mountains can be nippy and you will start the day’s hike bundled with a hat pulled down and your collars popped.  But as the day warms up or you begin to churn up that steep mountain pass, you might find yourself sweating in your shirt sleeves.  All this in only a manner of minutes.

This is where layers come in and why they are important.  Layering clothes helps keep you comfortable throughout the day.  The ability to take off and put on clothes and switch up the combination of layers will keep you out there and enjoying the scenery much longer.  I have a joke with my dog as we hike along and I continue to stop to put on clothes or take them off and he stops and patiently looks at me while seeming to say, “ Jesus lady you’re stopping again?!” as I dig into my bag to pull out a fleece.  “Heh,” I reply, “I can’t help it I’m a naked ape.”

So with that concept in mind, here are some layering basics….

No matter the season you got your base layer.  This is what goes next to your skin.  Clothing has come a long way since the cotton t-shirt so you got all kinds of options out there as far as material, just make sure it’s something that is going to wick sweat away from your body, like wool or a synthetic not the comfortable cotton t-shirt.  I find this is more important during the colder seasons than the hot summer months.  You also want to pick something that isn’t going to rub or chaff as you sweat and move. This layer also tends to fit a little closer to your body to make it easier to pull things over and the key ingredient here….you also want your base layer slightly fitted so it is able to do its job and wick away moisture.

This base layer is more crucial when being active in cold weather.  During cold temps you need that base layer to move sweat away from your body to keep from getting chilled. You will also want to wear a base layer on your bottom half as well.

Next comes a mid-layer.  1 or 2 in your kit that can be worn in tandem is a good idea.  Wool or synthetic, you want them to be a lighter insulating layer.  A quarter zip long underwear top and a thin fleece can keep you pretty snug, especially if you are on the move.  The fleece is also great as it will keep you warm when wet and is quick to dry out. 

An insulating layer – this can be a puffy coat, either down or synthetic and how puffy depends on the temps.  I also like to throw in a vest.  These are great layering tools and can help make several different combinations work depending on what you’re doing and how cold it is.  They are also great help with the sweet pillow you are going to turn all this stuff into at night.

Your shell – it doesn’t have to be a hard exterior but something that can buffet the wind and rain and if it’s really wicked totally keep the wind and rain out is your final touch.  I strongly recommend Gortex for waterproof protection. It is expensive but when you’re going to be out in wet environments for any real length of time you will quickly be grateful you have it.

Similar rules apply to your bottom half.  As you already know you want to keep the basement as warm as the upstairs.  Normal wool long underwear usually works just fine if you’re moving.  There also some great fleece tights and if it’s really cold a few companies make some insulated pants that can be worn under a hard- or soft-shell pant.  

In the fall and winter, I will also layer my socks and gloves.  Liners for both feet and hands help a lot with managing sweat and keeping all those digits from getting frosty.  In the country we live managing for wind can also be important.  I’m a big fan of scarves for this reason.  They can keep the wind off your neck and if things really start to whip, they help protect your face.  This is the same reason I like to wear coats with hoods.  Not only can it help keep you from losing heat out the top of your head, but it can help keep your face warm by sheltering it from gusts.

So, there’s the basic formula.  For our recommended gear list please click here.  This will guide you through the basics of what to pack on an extended outing as well as what to carry in your daypack.  

Like so many things, the only way to truly dial it in is through trial and error.  So, next time you head out, stuff a few extra things in your bag or in your car.  Once you get out there experiment with different combinations and see what works best for you, what’s comfortable, what you need to keep warm and all the different lovely ensembles you can create with what you already have.  And please, don’t worry about looking good, it’s more important to just be warm.

March 27 – 29, 2020 in Choteau, Montana.

March in north central Montana is most often marked by Chinook Winds, melting snowdrifts and the occasional early Douglasia flower. The most spectacular phenomena of all, though, is the annual spring Snow Geese migration. Picture hundreds of thousands of snow geese lifting off from a partially frozen lake: a myriad of flapping wings, honking, and a flying pattern that appears chaotic and completely organized at the same time. It is a sight to behold.

Freezout Lakes Wildlife Management Area, located between Choteau and Fairfield, Montana, is the epicenter for Snow Geese activity during this time. Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks owns and manages the 11,350 acre area.   Over 200 species of birds use Freezout Lake and it is a major resting stop for Snow Geese traveling northbound from California, Texas, and the Gulf Coast. They congregate at Freezeout Lake for a few weeks around mid March before slowly making their way to their nesting grounds – the extreme northwest Arctic coast of Canada and Alaska. The birds generally feed twice a day – they lift off from the lakes in the early morning to go feed in the neighboring grain fields and then return to the lakes in the late morning. This pattern occurs again in the late afternoon. For more information about the geese, check out this flier.

This year the second annual Wild Wings in Choteau will be on March 27 – 29. The event includes two tours of Freezout Lakes with professional birding guides, two presentations by Fish, Wildlife and Parks Biologists, a chili dinner, and the Old Trail Museum’s Wild Game Feed (a fundraiser for the museum).  Oh yeah, and lots of white birds.

Dropstone Outfitting will be organizing the tours to Freezout.  Tours are $5, and to reserve a space, contact Maggie at [email protected] or call us at (406) 289 – 0863.

Design by Bonnie Griffis

Schedule of Events

Friday, March 27

6:30 – 7:30 PM: Meet and Greet Chili Feed at the Stage Stop Inn.  Free Will Donation

7:30 PM: Migration: RMF Wildlife Perspectives, a presentation by FWP biologist Brent Lonner. 

Saturday, March 28

6:30 – 10:30 AM: Guided Tours of Freezout Lake, the epicenter of Snow Geese activity in the area. Meet in the lobby of the Stage Stop Inn. $5 for van tour or you may follow in your own vehicle. 

1 PM: White Geese Over Montana. Presentation by Mike Schwitters, world renowned master birder. FREE. Located at the Stage Stop Inn’s Breakfast Room. 

5:30 PM:  Doors open for the Old Trails Museum’s Wild Game Feed. Museum Fundraiser. Admission is free will donation. Potluck dinner with wild game and non-game dishes, silent auction, live auction, and a 50/50 drawing.  Located in the Stage Stop Inn’s Rocky Mountain Convention Center. 

Sunday, March 29

6:30 – 10:30 AM: Guided Tours of Freezout Lake, the epicenter of Snow Geese activity in the area. Meet in the lobby of the Stage Stop Inn.  $5 for van tour or you may follow in your own vehicle. 

** All Weekend

Front Range Art Association open house on Main Street featuring bird themed work by local artists.

Contact Information:

 Stage Stop Inn Motel Reservations:  (406) 466 – 5900 or www.stagestopinn.com.

Snow Geese Tour Van Reservations:  [email protected] or (406) 289 – 0863

General Info:  facebook.com/wildwingschoteau

Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area Info: (406) 467 – 2646

Recently, I was talking to a friend from Los Angeles about Dropstone Outfitting. We were going over what was included in our trips and what level of experience someone would need to go on a trip.  She indicated that many of her friends would be interested in Dropstone trips, but would be hesitant to go because they don’t often recreate in the backcountry.  They were intimidated by the perceived “barrier to entry.”

This was eye opening for me. While we know folks might get a bit nervous about going into the backcountry on a Dropstone trip, I was surprised that not knowing about gear or other outdoor methods would keep them from signing up at all.  This friend would be considered a “millennial” (like me) in her early 30’s and I began to realize that Dropstone trips may be perceived as unwelcoming to a whole group of folks (regardless of age) who may not go on a trip simply because they think they need to have certain outdoor knowledge before going.

This is not the case, and we really enjoy helping people figure out the appropriate gear and teaching them some backcountry basics along the way.

The only 2 requirements for our trips are the following:

1.) An adventurous spirit. You only need to be open to exploring new country, having new experiences, learning new skills and getting a little dirty.  We will guide you through the whole process, so you won’t be roughing it on your own.

2.) Physical fitness for the trip.  Most people who run or walk 5 miles on a fairly regular basis are able to complete our trips without issue.

Getting folks back into the mountains who have never had that experience or thought they wouldn’t be able to do it is the single most rewarding thing we do. We enjoy sharing the wonder, beauty, and grit of the backcountry, and we love teaching others about the ways of the woods.

In the next few months, we will cover some “how to” topics for backcountry travel on our blog including: 

– How to use a layering system when dressing for the outdoors

– What to carry in your day pack

– Setting up your tent: best practices for getting the most out of your shelter

– How to have your period in the woods

Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have or any other blog topics that might be helpful.

Remember: the backcountry is for everyone!

Dropstone Outfitting is excited to announce our Circus Creek Camp, where we are offering base camp hiking, hunting and workshops. A newly acquired permit allows us to establish a base camp within the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex along the beautiful South Fork of Birch Creek. Circus Creek is the perfect jumping off point for unforgettable day hikes and fair chase hunting trips along the spiny ridges and small basins surrounding the camp. It’s also a relaxing location to read a book next to the creek or sit beneath the cottonwoods and learn about the natural history of the area.

Our new base camp makes everything comfier during your wilderness experience, with a large wall tent to gather in when the weather turns and a big wood stove to warm your hands next to as you drink your first cup of morning coffee. During the summer months, guests make camp for the week in beautiful tent sites. In the fall, you stay in a wall tent, complete with cots and a wood stove. And, after many a request, we have an outhouse with an actual toilet seat.

Our camp is only 11 miles in from the trailhead on a well-maintained trail that rolls along the emerald waters of Swift Reservoir and the South Fork of Birch Creek. The South Fork of Birch Creek is filled with numerous water features including grottos, canyons and small waterfalls. Most trip offerings at Circus Creek are hiking based, with horses and mules packing all your gear to the basecamp, while you only carry a light daypack. We do have a limited ability to provide a horse or mule for riding, if needed. Click here to learn more about basecamp offerings and pricing.

Welcome to the Circus! 

Happy Holidays from Maggie and Yve! We are wishing you all a jolly holiday season and a New Year full of adventure, good health and joy.

We’ve had a wonderful 2019 – this last season was on the wetter side, so we had no fires to contend with and it was the best wildflower year we’ve ever seen. From our Climate Change trip with Steven Running to our September trip in Birch Creek, we enjoyed amazing folks and stunning landscapes across the Bob.

We also had a season of wildlife sightings. We had a close up viewing of a grizzly bear cooling his belly on a patch of snow. We saw two grizzly bears literally on the face of the Chinese Wall, running on a thin green patch midway through the rock. In August, there was a wolverine swimming in a creek next to the trail that scurried away quickly upon spotting us.   We also saw an aquatic moose completely submerge itself in a small pond in order to eat the plant life on the bottom while her calf laid sun bathing on the bank.   These were just the most memorable ones, but we also saw many goats, elk, deer, black bears, birds and one wolf.

We wanted to thank all of our employees, helpers and families for this past season. We are so lucky to work with and be supported by such excellent, fun loving and competent people. These are the people that make everything work.

We’ve got an excellent line-up for 2020. Here’s the low down on the trips we still have open:

A Discussion on Climate Change   May 29 – June 1

• Explore the North Fork of the Sun with Dr. Steven Running

Rocky Mountain Front Traverse   June 16 – 21

• Join Naturalist Eric Bergman on a tour of the Front Range

North Fork of the Sun Serengeti Tour   July 1 – 6

• Enjoy the lush North Fork of the Sun River Valley

The Iconic Chinese Wall Deluxe Backpack July 19 – 28

• Experience the Bob Marshall Wilderness’s crown jewel

Trilobite Range and Big River Meadows August 2 – 9

• Journey to rarely visited lakes and the heart of the northern Bob Marshall Wilderness

Scapegoat Wilderness Traverse   August 14 – 20

• Traverse the Scapegoat Wilderness from west to east

Snowcrest Mountains August 23 – 27

• Explore the Snowcrest Range is southwestern Montana

Wildlife Backstories: Tracks, Trails and Signs Workshop September 10 – 14

• Learn the backstories of the wildlife living in the Bob Marshall Wilderness

Circus Creek Archery Drop Camp with Cook October 5 – 11

• Archery hunt with Cook/Camp tender

Circus Creek General Rifle Drop Camp with Cook October 23 – 29

• Rifle hunt with Cook/Camp tender

Happy Holidays from Dropstone Outfitting!

Here at Dropstone, we love our moms. Over the years, they – along with other incredible women – have supported and inspired us along the way. In fact, some of our fondest memories have been spending time in Montana’s outdoors with our girl gang, most often made up of our moms, friends, clients, and other inspiring strong women. In honor of Mother’s Day this year, we are giving away TWO spots on our September 2 – 8, 2019 trip to an amazing woman. One spot for her and one spot for someone of her choosing! But we need YOUR help.

From now through May 11^th, you can nominate your mom or a special woman in your life that has inspired you along the way to win this trip. Husbands can nominate wives, kids can nominate moms, grandmas can nominate daughters…you get the picture.

The only stipulation is this: the female you nominate has inspired and empowered you and deserves a big “thank you” for who she is and how she has been significant in your life.

The winner of this giveaway will be the woman with the most amazing mom/inspirational woman nomination.

To nominate someone, fill out the form below and provide the following:

-Up to two paragraphs about how your nominee has inspired you.

-Include a picture of you and this special gal spending time together outside

*Photos may be used in social media posts

We will announce the winner of this trip giveaway, who we’re sure is one amazing lady, on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12^th.

In the meantime, learn more about this breathtaking trip here:

Birch Creek, Big River Meadows, and Bennie Hill: September 2 – 8, 2019

Please note that the woman being nominated should be in good physical condition and be able to hike 8 – 12+ miles on travel days, with some days having a combined change in elevation totaling 2,500 feet, or more, over several miles. If you have questions about the trip itinerary, emails us at [email protected].

As I’m writing this I’m watching the snow slowly melt and summer still seems a long ways off. I’ve been doing what I can to stay fit while juggling the rest of life, but I know now that as the earthy smell of spring fills the air, I’m starting to get anxious to hit the hills.  Hopefully my winter hibernation won’t hinder me for too long. Here are some tips for getting ready to hit the trail this summer

1.) Give yourself time to prepare. We have very few spring chickens on our trips, myself included. I’m no longer able to pull of backcountry stunts from off the couch and my timeline for preparation is constantly growing. So, know yourself and give yourself plenty of time to get ready, including time for setbacks and distractions. Try to start by going on a brisk walk 2 or 3x week, keeping the pace quick enough to get your heart rate up – then keep your heart pumping for at least 30 minutes. Build from there. And remember if you have some new hiking boots/shoes start wearing them now. As your walks progress you can also wear a light daypack and add weight as you progress.

2.) Focus on leg strength. It’s pretty obvious that your gams will be feeling most of the burden, but squats are no fun. For those long days on the trail and the day after day you need your dogs to be feeling good. Having strong legs will also help save those old creaky knees on the downhill. Focus on lunges, squats and calf-raises.

3.) Core Values. Carrying a daypack and sashaying down the trail requires good core strength. It will help you maintain the burden of a backpack as well as keep your balance on any dicey stream crossings or hurdling over down timber. Sit-ups, bridges and forearm planks will get your middle feeling strong. To help with balance practice walking a line on the floor with your arms out or standing on one foot for 30 seconds and then maybe picking something up.

4.) Don’t forget the practice hikes. Before you head out on your trip try to get in a few practice hikes. Incorporate variable terrain and elevations so you can feel how your body responds and what you may still need to work on. Finish breaking in those boots and make sure they’re going to feel good on your feet. This is also a good time to fine tune your daypack and make sure you have everything you need and that it fits you well and will be comfortable.

5.) Mental Preparation is important too. Having a good attitude goes a long ways to having a good trip. Think about “why” you are doing this and focus on that when the suffering starts to pop up. Also visualize what success will look like for you.

6.) Have Fun. Remember you don’t have to be in the best shape of your life to have a memorable and successful adventure.

— Yve Bardwell

Mid March in north central Montana is most often marked by Chinook Winds, melting snowdrifts and the occasional early Douglasia flower. The most spectacular phenomena of all, though, is the annual spring Snow Geese migration. Picture hundreds of thousands of snow geese lifting off from a partially frozen lake: a myriad of flapping wings, honking, and a flying pattern that appears chaotic and completely organized at the same time. It is a sight to behold.

Freezout Lakes Wildlife Management Area, located between Choteau and Fairfield, Montana, is the epicenter for Snow Geese activity during this time. Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks owns and manages the 11,350 acre area.   Over 200 species of birds use Freezout Lake and it is a major resting stop for Snow Geese traveling northbound from California, Texas, and the Gulf Coast. They congregate at Freezeout Lake for a few weeks around mid March before slowly making their way to their nesting grounds – the extreme northwest Arctic coast of Canada and Alaska. The birds generally feed twice a day – they lift off from the lakes in the early morning to go feed in the neighboring grain fields and then return to the lakes in the late morning. This pattern occurs again in the late afternoon. For more information about the geese, check out this flier.

This year, the community of Choteau is celebrating the migration on March 22 – 24. The event, called Wild Wings in Choteau, includes two free tours of Freezout Lakes with professional birding guides, bird presentations, a showing of the movie “Winged Migration”, and the Old Trail Museum’s Wild Game Feed (a fundraiser for the museum). We will also be offering $5 van rides for folks not wanting to drive their own vehicles during the free tours.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, March 22

7 PM: Winged Migration showing at the Stage Stop Inn.

Saturday, March 23

6:30 – 10:30 AM: Guided Tours of Freezout Lakes, the epicenter of Snow Geese activity in the area. FREE. Meet in the lobby of the Stage Stop Inn. Dropstone Outfitting has van space available for $5 or you may take your own vehicle.

1 PM: White Geese Over Montana. Presentation by Mike Schwitters, world re-known master birder. FREE. Located at the Stage Stop Inn’s Breakfast Room

5:30 PM: Doors open for the Old Trails Museum’s Wild Game Feed. Museum Fundraiser. Admission is free will donation. Potluck dinner with wild game and non-game dishes, silent auction, live auction, and a 50/50 drawing. Located in the Stage Stop Inn’s Rocky Mountain Convention Center.

Sunday, March 24

6:30 – 10:30 AM: Guided Tours of Freezout Lake, the epicenter of Snow Geese activity in the area. FREE. Meet in the lobby of the Stage Stop Inn. Dropstone Outfitting has van space available for $5 or you may take your own vehicle

Stage Stop Inn Motel Reservations:

1-406-466-5900 or www.stagestopinn.com.

Snow Geese Tour Van Reservations: (406) 461-2114 or [email protected]

Download the Wild Wings Flier

Living in an era of digital maps and apps, it is often hard to know what is the best mapping product to use. And if paper maps have become obsolete.

I wanted to share with you a few map tips that I have learned over the years.

My first tenet:

1. Always bring a paper map and know where you are on it. (So of course, no! paper maps are not obsolete!)

• I am a big fan of using both GPS and paper maps. GPS units are great for pinpointing where you are exactly and navigating in dense trees or confusing terrain, but paper maps give a much better feel of your overall location relative to the surrounding area and relative to your trip as a whole. Paper maps are much easier to see how drainages and mountain ranges fit together.
• I am also a fan of paper maps because they act as another kind of map – a map of my past, present, and future experiences. They represent places I have been and memories I’ve had, X’s for good campsite locations, and potential route scribbled in pencil in excitement haste. They have stains and small rips from being repeatedly fawned over and used to dream about the next adventure. I am quite fond of them and never leave home without them.
• What kind of maps do I like to carry? Well, depending on the route and how well I know the terrain (and any time I am doing extensive off trail navigation), I like to use 7.5 minute quadrangles. 7.5 minute quads have a 1:24,000 scale meaning that any measure of the map, if expanding 24,000 times, would match the actual environment. For example, an inch of the map equals 24,000 inches in the field. These maps encompass a relatively small area but show great detail. You can find quad maps at many regional gear stores, Forest Service offices, or maps stores. I also like mytopo.com.
• I also carry the Cairn Cartographics Maps. They produce, among other things, Bob Marshall Wilderness maps – both north and a south half option. These are excellent topographic maps that show trail miles + they are water resistant + they are from a local company. These are excellent for calculating trail miles, seeing the over all route (particularly when the route covers several 7.5 minute quads), and for naming the mountains I see in the distance. Sometimes, if I know a route quite well, I will just bring the Cairn Maps and leave the quads at home.

My second Tenet:

2. The print map and GPS combo is ideal for multi day trips.

The combo of the GPS, 7.5 minute quad, and the larger scale Bob Marshall map have proved to be the right combo for specific navigation and overall route information. The GPS provides your exact location and helps you navigate in dense trees/confusing terrain, the quad gives you a larger scale view of a relatively small area, and the bigger Bob map is best for orientation and looking at overall route.

A bit about GPS’s: GPS’s a great because they show you exactly where you are on a particular trail or if you are not on a trail, what you position is relative to where you are going. This exact location marker can be crucial to off trail navigation. You can also track your daily miles and elevation. Or is you are needing to navigate to a point (say a particular campsite), the GPS will help you navigate to that exact point.

What kind of GPS to Use? There are a lot of them out there, and most of basic models will operate similarly. The bottom line is – there are lots of options and as long as you know how to use it, it will work just fine. We use a Garmin GPSMAPS 64 with the Montana/Idaho maps chip and the Garmin InReach Explorer. The Garmin GPSMAPS 64 (the more basic of the two) is slightly more accurate (as long as you purchase the topo map SD chip for the state you are in) and has better trail and tracking information. And is less expensive because you do not have to purchase an annual plan. However, the Garmin InReach Explorer has satellite texting capabilities. The texting capabilities act just like normal cell phone to cell phone texting (and you can set up Bluetooth so you can use your phone instead of the device). We like this product because it doubles as an emergency communication device.

BUT, a third option exists. If you do not want to buy a GPS, and you are comfortable taking your phone into the backcountry, there are several apps you can download that function very similarly to a GPS. I have the Gaia GPS and onX Hunt app on my phone, and there are several other companies out there that can do this. The only catch is that you need to download the specific area to your phone before you leave cell coverage so the GPS tracking can function while your phone is off line. Some of the apps are free or have a free basic app level, and those that you pay something for are inexpensive.

There are apps that will actually download the topographic map to your phone; however, I am still a fan of carrying the paper map in case something happens to the device or the battery runs out and you don’t have a solar charger. Plus, it is easier to orient with a bigger map instead of a small screen.

I am going to soap box about SCREENS a little. There is something counter intuitive and a bit disturbing about walking down a trail in a beautiful wilderness setting and looking at a screen. One of the reasons to do a backcountry trip is to disconnect from the digital world. Having the GPS on your phone or another GPS is great but does require screen time. I have occasionally gotten myself pulled into the “let’s check the GPS every five minutes” mode, and it really has hampered my ability to disconnect. I like to keep that in mind and only use it when absolutely necessary.

Some over all navigation pointers:

As you go through an area, periodically check the paper map to orient yourself. Make sure you know where north, south, east, and west are and how the drainages run together. Sidenote – make a habit of occasionally looking behind you. In the event that you need to go back down the trail you just hiked up, it is good to have some familiar landmarks. A trail in the reverse direction can look very different.

It is a good rule of thumb to always have a backup map incase something happens to the navigation tool you are using – so by having a couple of paper map options plus a GPS, you’ve got your bases covered.

Learn more about navigation on a Dropstone Trip!

On a Dropstone trip, we do all of the navigation, but we provide everyone with route maps (courtesy of our friends, Cairn Cartographics), and carry maps for everyone to look at and orient themselves with. We are happy to provide a few pointers in navigation as we travel through the woods. We encourage folks to learn more about navigation because we love maps and because we think it adds to the wilderness experience to really understand where and how we travel through the mountains and valleys of the great big Bob. There’s no better place to learn than along the trail with an experienced Dropstone guide.