A Gentle Introduction to CalTopo - The Ultimate in Backcountry Mapping Utilities

CalTopo is an amazing utility that allows you to make custom topographic maps of anywhere in the U.S. It is an absolutely invaluable tool for backcountry travel. In this video, we will be taking a look at a very gentle introduction to using CalTopo.
NOTE: I highly recommend utilizing the accompanying blog post to aid you in this introduction :)
Blog Post: serialphotog.com/gentle-intro...
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Thanks for watching!

[@StevenTorrey]

Interesting and very helpful. Especially for preparing a hike to place not familiar with, I especially like the being able to make/print a PDF of the map. No one should ever take a hike without a paper map.

[@siuilaonarach4546]

Excellent video, learned a ton! Caltopo is amazing. When adding a ring or object you do not need to remember the coordinates, just right click on where you want to center your ring and select "new" from the drop down menu

[@ericjames]

Thanks man! Just found this progam/website and now I can start diving into it a little more knowingly.

[@Roger-ny9xr]

Thanks for showing me the basics needed to get started using what appears to be a great hike planning tool. Hope to see you posting more videos on the subject.

[@rdptube]

Thanks; very helpful intro. I appreciate your time in putting this together.

[@jilladams663]

Adam, thank you for the overview tutorial. Looking forward to a more advanced tutorial that you hinted at. Thanks!

[@H.pylori]

KZbin recommended this video, i guess since I have been looking at GAIA and OnX, and back country navigator. This is an amazing program for planning an off-road trip. The layers and trial mapping are exceptional. The printing of the pdf with pages that allow magnified views is really good. Your tutorial was outstanding and easy to follow. Thanks for posting, and thumbs up!

[@nj4x4fever2]

That was very good information. Thank you for the video, your instructions were easy to follow.

[@snakeriveridaho33]

Thanks, awesome introduction! I appreciate it!

[@M1ST3RHYDE]

Thanks dude, This was perfect.

[@pjd6711]

Great job, thanks.

[@gusmoraless]

Very well-made video. Ideas brightly exposed

[@angusred4305]

Excellent tool - Please do Canada!!

[@roberthix]

The range rings are useful in areas where you have to meet minimum distances from objects (i.e. when camping in National Parks). I use it with our Boy Scout Troop. While doing field surveys I will waypoint a campsite that we plan on using. If we have multiple groups that must stay 50 yards apart, then I can range ring the campsites to see what is legal for us to use. I can also use them to show other general areas of the map where we can camp. Scoutmasters and outing leaders can load this data into their phone/GPS units and use it for accurately locating legal campsites in the field. Works like a charm.

[@goldassayer93555]

Another use for range radius. If you have a location as 1 mile from town A and 3 milies from town B you can create the two circles and see where they overlap. Handy. I could have used it yesterday.

[@DannyWalker1949]

I'm thinking I might use this Mapping System...I've been play'in around with it for a while and it is good for sure. I've also been look'n at Gaia & Back Country Navigator & Custom Topo Maps also. I think this one does a better job to all the different layers and just works better.

[@benrichard2952]

Tip....always save your maps as a geospatial PDF. then you can use it with Avenza and it can display your location on the map as well.....and record tracks and what not. Awesome video, thanks!

[@WhoWouldWantThisName]

I just added a new word to my vocabulary today, "automagically". Love it, and should get good use out of that one. I make my own words regularly. :) Good class on a very useful tool, thanks.

[@yosotattoo]

Thank you!

[@Cumberlandgal1964]

My favorite map site of all time!! Most detail. Thanks for this video. I agree it is a shame that so many folks don't know about this mapping system.

[@alecethan223]

You all probably dont give a damn but does anybody know of a tool to get back into an Instagram account? I was stupid lost the login password. I love any tips you can give me!

[@quintonayaan4576]

@Alec Ethan instablaster ;)

[@alecethan223]

@Quinton Ayaan thanks for your reply. I found the site on google and I'm trying it out atm. Takes quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.

[@alecethan223]

@Quinton Ayaan it worked and I now got access to my account again. Im so happy:D Thanks so much you really help me out :D

[@quintonayaan4576]

@Alec Ethan happy to help =)

[@shedreamsofalpine]

Great video... you know I've been using GPS in the backcountry for a long time now. I've created a ton of maps using google earth and downloaded a lot of GPX tracks and created my own, but for some reason I've never used Caltopo. I had no idea it existed. How is that possible?? Love this tutorial!

[@henrybodkin8816]

how could they possibly map tree cover though. I would think the sun mode is more from the angle, no? Thank you for much for teaching me how to use this amazing thing! Henry

[@CampuStellae]

Super and nice detailed review .... but is there any option to lay grids over map when printing it...?? Thanks;)))

[@duenge]

100 Thumbs Up! A question. Can these maps be dropped into my Garmin Etrex 30x? I just bought it used, and have not purchased any maps yet. Thanks for this tutorial, fantastic product.

[@iaiafefe6106]

Do you know how to add a compass rose or other orientating device to the map? Thanks in advance.

[@EdgewoodOutdoors]

Okay, have to see if this is available in Canada! Thanks.

[@susanhartwig2655]

How do you export to a thumb drive to bring to a local printing service?

[@davidvaughn7752]

How much sun an area gets has nothing todo with if there are going to be a lot of trees or not... that is like saying that moss grows on the North side of a tree. I think the sun coverage shows where there are going to be areas of sun and where it will be shady - but trees? You might know something I don't and please correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks. Also, I just got an older Garmin handheld GPS. Can these charts be transferred into my Colorado 400? Do you have a video that shows how to do this with CalTopo? If you do then I'd definitely watch it! Thanks again for a very good instruction video. I'm going to use it (CalTopo) for all my trips here in the Pac.NW. Subbed your channel! 😉

[@davidvaughn7752]

@@Serialphotog OK, Cool! Thanks! Keep up the good work and looking forward to viewing your other vids. This one was VERY helpful.

[@keithpederson3629]

Just came across your video. Do I need the paid subscription to use the features you show?

[@ArbitraryLifestyle]

What is considered a "map", when you reference only saving 5 private ones?

[@Jokerandthechild]

Hi nice video. Is this website compatible with other countries besides America? Peace from Malaysia..

[@trooper2221]

so how did u know there would nt be any trees not he ridge ? by looking at the map. was it the amount of sun the area got, or what?

[@deannadavis2426]

Green on a map means trees and vegetation. White on a map is fields, no trees.

[@cinetube9383]

🔔👋🙋Serial Photog ilk beğeni benden olsun beğeni ve zilide açtım. 🔔👋

[@sjdhejdjej]

Like ho

[@360Investigations]

WTF does TOPO mean? WTF does layer mean What does anything you said even mean?

[@ManInTheBigHat]

Why is there a repetitive, droning musical score in the background, making for an annoying distraction to an otherwise really good, information filled video?