Awesome backpacking tool!!! How to use the FarOut app (Guthook)

In this video I take a look at the FarOut app, formerly known as Guthook and walk you through the major features along with how I use it for both navigation and trip planning.
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[@benjaminbrennan611]

Would love to see an updated version of this video using the latest version of the app, maybe using the trip planning tool!

[@philipgillesse9866]

What an outstanding service you provide to the hiking community! I participated in the PCT permit lottery yesterday and was able to breeze through thanks entirely to one of your earlier videos. This one too is very helpful.

[@jonallenoutside]

Thank you for the kind words. I started my channel as a way to give back to the backpacking community, so your comment means a lot.

[@mattdaley56]

Thanks Jon, as always, the most detailed and friendly advice!! Thanks!!

[@bionicdan1959]

Wow Jon, another GREAT informative video! You covered so many of this tools powerful features!! We’ll done! Oh and thanks to your previous video on the PCT permit process really helped me comfortably navigate the process! I was successful in snagging a permit for this year!! We’ll done Jon!

[@jonallenoutside]

Congrats! Can’t wait to hear about your adventure!

[@sallymiller8027]

Excellent information on a fantastic app!! Thank you for sharing!

[@peterdiotte3327]

Thank Jon - big help to me. I'm getting back into backpacking and am looking at the IATA - some segments. I didn't know about Far Out but thanks to your video have d/l the app and the eastern section of IATA. Thanks - very nice delivery style and very informative. Much appreciated.

[@jonallenoutside]

Glad you found value in it!

[@unsung4189]

good job... to the point...accurate and no BS. thank you very much

[@leighoshirak5037]

thank you so much for this video! I'm hiking the jmt summer of 2023 and just started with this app.

[@jonallenoutside]

You're going to love the app. Even though water is plentiful on the JMT, it's still great to know how far it is to the next source.

[@appalachiantrailthru-hike2234]

Jon, I'm preparing to hike the AT in 2023. I purchased Far Out; your video is valuable. Thank you for taking the time to explain and use visual prompts to assist in learning. This is an excellent video; you did a great job! Nonnie

[@jonallenoutside]

Good luck on your adventure!

[@appalachiantrailthru-hike2234]

@@jonallenoutside Gosh Jon, Thank you kindly. I can't believe you commented. I think your training video was outstanding. Take care!!

[@DeltadronesBr]

Awesome review and tutorial! Thanks a lot!!

[@stacyann0810]

This was very helpful. Thanks for all of the detail!

[@jonallenoutside]

You are welcome. Happy Trails!

[@dakotaescher1]

Thank you, outstanding video. I am happy to have discovered your page. Great job.

[@jonallenoutside]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@patrickmccoy6711]

This was very helpful, thank you!

[@jonallenoutside]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ervinslens]

Great video man, very informative.

[@jonallenoutside]

Thanks!!! Glad you found value in it.

[@theroutetohappiness]

Great video! thank you

[@kikionthetrailoflove7036]

Thank you for this video, very helpful and informative 👍 some of us need all the help we can get lol.. 😀

[@jonallenoutside]

Like me! Always getting mixed up on trail.

[@enilkja]

Awesome video Jon. Even as a map-nerd, I would download this for even our family’s shorter hikes.

[@jonallenoutside]

AllTrails is a good app for local trails that aren’t on FarOut yet, but I’m guessing you know about that one.

[@enilkja]

@@jonallenoutside Yep. I love that app.

[@jefflanger5475]

Awesome video…. Just downloaded the app and will be section hiking the AT soon!

[@jonallenoutside]

Enjoy!

[@yellowbicycleartstudio8974]

Very helpful!

[@grampakilt]

Well explained content. Impressive! GK

[@raymaroney8355]

Excellent tutorial for an excellent app. Been using for 5 years now and would not hike with out

[@nflolo2388]

GREAT Video! THANKS- I'm a new backpacker.... off to check the Allegheny Trail in WV with confidence now :)

[@jonallenoutside]

Backpacking is addicting! Enjoy your adventure!

[@Alpinenutclimbing]

Thank you!!!

[@lightwalker4558]

Jon, excellent beginners guide for this app. Thank you! May I suggest that we should not trust GPS in bad weather? 🌩🌪❄💧 Hence, if there is any indication of foul weather ahead, I save screen shots on my phone ahead of time. It would probably be better to write down the information, but that's the last thing I want to do while I'm out. Best of luck w/ your AZ Trail preparation. Let's hope the wildfires are kept at bay this year. 😉

[@jonallenoutside]

That is a great tip. Thank you!

[@longtriplonghorn5766]

Thank you ♥️💯🏴‍☠️

[@willgriesmer105]

thanks!

[@caseyodonnell55]

great video i found this app very confusing this helped

[@jonallenoutside]

You are welcome. I find the app invaluable on the trail.

[@texmexia49]

Great video, very helpful. Two questions. 1. How do you delete a waypoint. 2. How do you add and delete photos on a check in? Thank you.

[@jonallenoutside]

1. Click on the waypoint. Click edit waypoint. Delete waypoint. 2. Not sure on this one.

[@Karen-dq8nw]

Thanks for this video, Jon. Are you a Minnesotan? On the trail colors - I'm looking at the Tahoe rim trail map on FarOut and it's all different colors! I was trying to figure out what each one means. I assume that it's green when it's the only trail, and when it overlaps with another trail, like the PCT, it's red. But no way to tell for certain. Or is there?

[@jonallenoutside]

Close - from Wisconsin. I searched their website and I can't find any reference to what the trail colors mean on different maps. Most seem to be red for the main trail and blue for spur trails, but for whatever reason they don't all follow that protocol.

[@margaretbashour7331]

Thank you for this video! Have you found a way to send a saved route to someone?

[@jonallenoutside]

I have not.

[@mtpstv94]

I'm surprised they don't have the ability to add alerts similar to traffic jams, speed traps, etc on Google Maps. A bear or snake sighting for example which shows on the map like water sources, but can be updated by other people and might just go away automatically after 30 minutes or "gray out" after 15 minutes.

[@jonallenoutside]

That would be an amazing improvement. I love that idea.

[@Truth-Seeker75]

Thanks for your video. Is there anyway to simply SEARCH for a specific mile marker, shelter, water source, etc. or is the user forced to play the hunt-and-find game using the map itself?

[@jonallenoutside]

You can go directly to a mile by clicking the "hammer/wrench" icon on the right and then selecting "Go To Mile" (this is in five mile increments). You can also use the "filter" icon and filter only the waypoints you want such as only seeing camping waypoints to make finding stuff easier. I'm not aware of any way to type in a specific waypoint and then go right to it.

[@epiedra99]

Super awesome video! What about maybe having a dedicated GPS unit rather than using a pricey iphone in case the phone gets dropped or damaged, as a regular GPS unit can take a beating. Thanks!

[@jonallenoutside]

As a backup yes. Not leaving my phone at home though. I use it way too much.

[@nitsymccarthy7803]

It's a staple for the PCTers....that don't 'know' the trail/not from the area.

[@mtpstv94]

Unfortunately not in all areas does a map work with GPS alone. I'm not sure about US coverage of that ability. Though I've come across issues in Europe for example where in certain countries GPS alone without service was not functional or reliable. Hopefully that's not the case on any trails in the US. Also the arrow pointing at least in the past was very unreliable so the walking was required as the arrow would just randomly rotate itself confusingly. Maybe they have fixed that in later phones or GPS functionality.

[@marykwart9331]

How can you figure out mileage between waypoints when planning a trip from home? My CDT map only shows elevation and waypoint name. I need to plan camps.

[@jonallenoutside]

I did not purchase the CDT map, but every other map I have shows the mileage when you click on a waypoint. Is the CDT map different than other maps you’ve purchased?

[@marykwart9331]

@@jonallenoutside I think the fact I had a legacy account with Guthook and no longer used the email address I had years ago was a problem--I couldn't log in. The old maps I had downloaded on my phone did not have the mileage, just the elevation. When I contacted Far Out they allowed me to log in with my new password and now everything seems to be ok.

[@marykwart9331]

The same for me. I straightened out the email situation and now can see the mileage. My only gripe now is Guthook waypoints aren't labeled like on the Bear Creek maps unless someone puts the Bear Creek waypoint name in the comments.

[@cathyrobson1482]

I have the Guthooks app. How do I update it to make it Farout?

[@jonallenoutside]

Go to the App Store, search on FarOut and download it.

[@flutingaround]

How does this app compare to All Trails or Gaia for navigation?

[@jonallenoutside]

Way better than All Trails in my opinion. I haven’t used Gaia. One of the main reasons so many people use this on major trails is because of the real-time updates. Those are priceless.

[@flutingaround]

@@jonallenoutside thanks for the info!

[@davidson_oldbull_sectionhiker]

Can you save a route to a GPX file? Thank you so much

[@jonallenoutside]

I looked around and I don't see a way to do this.

[@andymytys]

I’d like to add that, at least for the Appalachian Trail, you don’t have to purchase access to the entire trail. If you’re a section hiker, you can purchase the area you’re planning on hiking in for under $10. This can fall apart even on a short hike if your hike is say 30 miles on either side of the end of a section, but in most cases only one section will be needed. Being an independent, self-sufficient hiker with skills, I initially poo-pooed this app. But, I lost an heirloom on the trail and, using my friend’s app, was able to post a lost-item post in the comments. A few days later, I got a call from a hiker who found my item. It was a community effort to find and get the item back into my hands, but, without the Farout app, I would have lost my item for good. The comments are active on popular trails in-season, but on other trails or out of season are definitely sparse. AT hikers will have a lot of up-to-date information, but on say the Foothills trail, which is only about 50 miles from the AT, there’s noticeable less chatter.

[@jonallenoutside]

Trail Magic for sure!

[@dant62]

Is there really no built in compass capability in this app? It would be nice not to have to open another app to determine what direction I'm facing.

[@jonallenoutside]

Not that I’ve seen, although you can walk and see what direction you’re heading. Not as convenient as an actual compass though.

[@tryharder3214]

What happens when there is no cellular reception? I wish to stay safe, but another 300-400$ for garmin would cost me a lot of trips...

[@jonallenoutside]

You only need cellular reception to get waypoint updates. The app works on GPS, which doesn’t require cell service. You do need to download your map ahead of time though.

[@sueconnolly8698]

I'm trying to save my phone battery.... do I need to leave this running all day?

[@jonallenoutside]

No. You can either shut the app down unless you are using it or hit the button in the app that turns off gps.

[@scothampton963]

Will it work in airplane mode

[@jonallenoutside]

Yes. GPS works in airplane mode. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to create or download waypoint comments while in airplane mode.

[@mjeh1]

To a person that hiked the pct and at in the 80s using guide books, maps, and a compus it seems like cheating. I wonder how many hikers out there would be hopelessly lost if their phones suddenly stopped working.

[@jonallenoutside]

A lot!

[@suzannecartwright6504]

So true