Smartphone App for Hiking in the Midpeninsula Region – Avenza Maps

July 1, 2017August 4, 2017Leave a comment

On one of the docent-led hikes, I learned that I need not rely on Google Maps for figuring out my route in the middle of a forest. Thanks to Marie-Anne Neimat, a docent, for introducing me to Avenza Maps (free) – a great app for hiking in the Bay Area Peninsula region. The app is available both for Android and iOS. The app uses the GPS on your phone to help you track your hiking route as well as tell you which trail you’re at.

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) provides free GeoPDF maps for some of the preserves (look for Midpen Preserves (Bundle) in the app’s Store).

More information about the app is available on the MROSD website.

Getting Familiar with Hiking-Related Terms and Concepts

October 8, 2015August 4, 2017Leave a comment

Okay, we’re now eight hikes old (as of September)! Yes, you’ll see blog posts for all those hikes shortly (hopefully).

Continue reading →

New Hiking Shoes!

August 31, 2015August 4, 20171 Comment

With the experience of my first hiking trip, I knew what we needed was good hiking shoes. Running shoes or any other sneakers would be no good.

We had a trip coming up for the Lassen Volcanic National Park. From the looks of it (from what I had read about the place), there would be a lot of walking involved on the unpaved, dirt trails in the national park. The terrain and the hilly surroundings called for ‘hiking’ shoes.

Continue reading →