Showerthought: Phone maps are changing how we hit the trails

Spencer Rivera · 2026-02-24T01:10:37.872168+00:00

Notice fewer paper maps at trailheads these days. Everyone just stares at their screen. Makes the whole trip feel less spontaneous.

lilyh847mo ago

But is that guilt about safety or the experience?

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paul_miller537mo ago

Honestly, that guilt thing @lilyh84 mentioned is totally the experience part for me. Tbh, my sense of direction is so bad that without my phone I'd just be a permanent forest fixture. The spontaneity just isn't worth living out there.

5

the_betty7mo ago

You ever get that weird guilt though, like you're cheating? But then you just get lost way less.

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