If you have a hiking or backpacking trip coming up soon, here’s a list I’ve curated of my favorite websites that provide useful information to know before beginning your trip!
Spot WX: (https://spotwx.com/) Spot Wx is a phenomenal weather website that uses geolocations to give precise weather forecasts for an area. This website provides specific and accurate information for precipitation, wind, daylight hours, sunrise and sunset times, and temperatures. The best feature is often there is 2 day, 3.5 day, 5 day, and 7 day predictions. Of course the smaller the number of days the more accurate the prediction will be. The maps can sometimes be challenging to read, but they have a key to help you decipher the information.
AllTrails: (https://www.alltrails.com/)This website and mobile app is by far my favorite. I do pay a yearly subscription of 40$, but it is SO worth it. This app gives you detailed trail maps, trail reviews, pictures, and has a GPS feature that tracks you along the trail. If I am ever unsure of which direction a trail goes, I quickly pull out AllTrails and a helpful arrow will point me in the right direction. This is an AWESOME gift to give to any of your hiker friends!
Outdoor Prolink: (https://outdoorprolink.com/) This is my favorite website for when I am looking to buy new outdoor gear. Creating an account with Prolink is only available for certain individuals who currently have a job or career related to the outdoors. The basis of the website is to give these individuals coupons or specialty deals on gear and equipment! These deals are sometimes up to 30 or 40% off (which quickly adds up if it is a multi-hundred dollar piece of gear)!! If you are curious about if you are eligible, check out their website and there is a long list of criteria. If still unsure, you can reach out to them or to your employer to see if this is a tool accessible to you!
