MAKE CUSTOM BACKCOUNTRY MAPS for AVENZA MAPS // Make offline maps using Caltopo to use in Avenza

Avenza Maps is a powerful navigation app for hikers to use offline maps. It uses Geospatial PDFs, GeoPDFs, or GeoTIFF to create offline maps for route navigation. In this video, I show you how to make your own Geospatial PDFs using Caltopo and how to import it into Avenza Maps. We take it a step further to create KML/GPX layers and link them to high resolution, free USGS maps.
Avenza Maps Tutorial: • AVENZA MAPS TUTORIAL /...
AVENZA MAPS On the Trail: • AVENZA MAPS On the Tra...
Caltopo Tutorial: • CALTOPO TUTORIAL // Ba...
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[@OutsideChronicles]

Avenza Maps is a great app for backcountry, offline maps. We have been using it in WNY Hiking Challenge with huge success. I have used it in the Adirondacks this winter, this video shows you how to make the same maps I used.

[@java6727]

This is fantastic! Thanks a million!!

[@OutsideChronicles]

My pleasure, thanks for watching

[@deborahsmith4216]

This is great, thank you! I somehow missed when you posted it.

[@OutsideChronicles]

It is a great way to get offline maps. For ADK, I used the QR on the “printed” Caltopo map. I usually export the GPX and use it as a layer for the appropriate USGS quad. Let me know if you run into any issues.

[@stevezelazny9946]

Great video. Hadn't thought of exporting tracks/waypoints from caltopo and then importing them back into avenza. This will have the benefit that you can use the Avenza "navigate to" feature to navigate to your imported waypoints and answer your "are we there yet" questions from your hiking party with some precision.

[@OutsideChronicles]

Good point, I did not mention that in the video. You get added functionality like distance and Navigate To when you use layers. I loved that you can link them to any map geospatially. Very cool feature if you want your route on a satellite map, topo map, and street map.

[@gregparrott]

This video is a great supplement to your one on Caltopo! A friend, who is unfamiliar with Caltopo used to run Avenza. But he has since preferentially switched to OnX. He gave three reasons. First, he did not like the effort it took just to find and download multiple map segments over which a trail might travel. Second, while traveling, he did not like his marked position going off of one map with him then having to manually identify, select, and load the next appropriate map. Third, he values that OnX also enable one to have a satellite view, which can be helpful. I'm still too much of a newbie to ascertain what's best.

[@desko1124]

This is awesome, thank you!!!!

[@OutsideChronicles]

My pleasure, see you outside!

[@timothytrofe6170]

I use Caltopo to make custom maps while hiking in the Gila National Forest and Wilderness. Instead of using the FT Outdoors Overlay I use MapBuilder Overlay and set the contours to 40 ft. Im able to print and export the map on to Avenza without exporting the layers on to USGS maps. It gives me enough detail.

[@OutsideChronicles]

That is what found too. The TF Outdoors is adequate, but it is nice to have the USGS maps too. I used the TF Outdoors maps in all of my ADK hikes. I also like the USGS maps as a backup, just in case were to get outside the boundary of the printed Caltopo map. Probably unlikely, but it costs nothing to load those too.

[@glennhernandez4366]

Loved this Keep it going

[@flipyour20]

Just used this video and Caltopo (1st time) to create my ADK maps for next week. QR upload to Avenza. I feel like a total bad ass right now. Thanks!

[@OutsideChronicles]

Cool! Good luck, what peaks have you settled on? And always have a paper map, I suggest the ADK mountain club version.

[@flipyour20]

@@OutsideChronicles Big Slide loop via 3 bros, like your video. And Phelps, Table Top. I'll have 2 full days to hike and asked a 46er friend for advice. Didn't want to do any where I leave at 3am, by myself.

[@OutsideChronicles]

@@flipyour20 All good ones, Phelps was my first 46er.

[@flipyour20]

@@OutsideChronicles Marcy was my first last year. Saw so many posts and was like ‘what’s Mt. Marcy?’…and so the adventure continues!

[@toddwmac]

I wish I could buy you a beer...or other refreshing beverage of your choice. This answered a ton of questions and simplified things considerably. Thank you!

[@OutsideChronicles]

Super glad I was able to help you out! You can buy me a virtual beer at ko-fi.com/outsidechronicles. See you outside!

[@toddwmac]

@@OutsideChronicles done...Cheers!

[@OutsideChronicles]

@@toddwmac incredible, thank you for you generosity! Happy 4th of July. I hope to see you outside!

[@lscanlon9908]

Nice, thanks for the informative walkthrough. I was drawn to Avenza because of the less invasive privacy policy compared to the other big mobile GPS apps like Gaia

[@OutsideChronicles]

Cool, I am glad it helped. Avenza is an incredible app.

[@thislifesadventures.]

Great video. Thank you. I need to create one for the newly completed empire state trail, because non of the apps have the new trail mapped.

[@OutsideChronicles]

You can totally use this method for that and then know exactly where you are. You might be able to find a GPX file of that on the Internet somewhere too, it will speed up your process.

[@Mr101BAM]

Great work, and thanks for the walkthrough. It seems the only the pro version will generate the QR or a KMZ. If I send the url to Avenza I just get the print preview.

[@OutsideChronicles]

The pro version? Of Avenza or Caltopo? To get the QR, use the print function on Caltopo. The PDF it generates will have the QR. The Caltopo share URL should also work in the Avenza URL input. No paid versions needed.