Navigation

Plan Before You Leave

One of my go-to tools for planning an off-road trip is GAIA GPS.

It’s brilliant for studying an area before you leave, looking at tracks and terrain, planning routes and getting a feel for what lies ahead.

Once you're out there, GAIA GPS can record your journey, effectively leaving a breadcrumb trail of where you've travelled. This is particularly useful when exploring unfamiliar country, navigating a maze of bush tracks or simply exploring whilst giving you peace of mind on how to find your way back.

And there’s something pretty satisfying about getting home after a big trip and seeing the entire route you've driven ! These tracks can be exported and shared in various methods to mates and other adventurers. 

Tools such as Google Earth and Google Maps are also fantastic for trip research. Aerial imagery can give you a great perspective of tracks, rivers, terrain, clearings and surrounding country.

But remember — once you leave mobile/data coverage, anything that relies on an internet connection can become unavailable, especially if trying to "search" for a location.

A handy tip is to download your maps before you leave coverage.

GPS Doesn't Need Mobile Coverage

Your phone or navigation device can determine its location using GPS/GNSS satellite signals.
It doesn't necessarily need a mobile phone tower or mobile data to work out where you are.

You can have absolutely no phone reception and your device can still know your location.

The important thing is understanding the difference between knowing where you are and being able to communicate where you are.

Your GPS may know exactly where you are, but without downloaded maps, you may not have much useful mapping information to work with.
And knowing your location is only half the battle — you also need a way to tell somebody else.

That's where "What3words" can be incredibly useful.

We’re all familiar with navigating on the road using dedicated GPS devices like TomTom, Garmin and Navman or in phone apps like Google Maps and Apple Maps.
But what happens when we leave the blacktop ? What happens when google maps can't tell you how to get there or where you are.  
With mobile coverage often disappearing and tracks becoming less obvious, navigating off-road requires a different approach.

Here, we look at the tools, apps and techniques that can help you find your way beyond the bitumen.

Most Importantly, Don't Rely on Just One System

Technology has transformed off-road navigation, but I'm a big believer in having a backup.

Phones get dropped. Batteries go flat. Electronics fail.

For serious remote travel, consider having several layers of navigation and communication:

• GAIA GPS — planning, navigation and recording your journey.

• Offline maps — so you're not dependent on mobile data.

• GPS — determining your location without phone coverage.

• What3words — a simple way of describing your precise location.

• Paper maps and a compass — old school, but they don't need batteries.

• A satellite communicator or PLB — particularly for genuinely remote travel.

• Backup power — because none of your electronics are much use with a flat battery.
  

And perhaps the simplest safety measure of all :

Tell someone where you're going.

Give them your planned route, destination and expected return time. If your plans change significantly, let them know.

Know Where You Are

For me, that's the real value of good off-road navigation.

It isn't just about finding the next track or getting back to camp before dark.

It's about knowing where you are, knowing where you've been and having a plan for getting help if things go wrong.

Before you head off-road, download your maps, plan your route, charge your devices, carry a backup and know how to access your GPS coordinates and What3words location.

Because when the tracks get rough, the weather turns bad and the phone shows "No Service", that's when you'll be glad you planned ahead.

Explore further. Go further. Get off the beaten track.

But always know where you are — and have a plan for getting home.

What is it ?

Off-Road Navigation —

Know Where You Are When the Tracks Run Out

There’s something pretty special about leaving the bitumen behind, dropping into low range and following a track that takes you deep into the bush.

That’s one of the great things about 4WDing and remote travel — getting away from the crowds, exploring places most people will never see and sometimes wondering exactly where the hell you are !

But when you're travelling well away from towns and mobile phone towers,
good navigation isn't just about finding your way. It can become an important part
of your emergency kit.

Knowing where you are, where you've been and being able to tell someone exactly where you are could make a huge difference if something goes wrong.