Oh, sorry, I did not make it clear, it was a pre-loaded 140 mile track. For some reason it did not like it. I, too, rarely track myself live.

Ah. Good to know it has those issues. Thanks Paul.

I’ve never used it to track. Just maps/nav and way points in the field and uploading tracks from my watch once at home.

I found CalTopo did not like my 140 mile track when I did my GJ > Moab route and ran a bit sluggish. For weekend hikes, it seems to work fine. I did not use it ony 250 mile trek last year, however.

What do you mean exactly by large datasets? I’ve been using the web and mobile with multiple layers, imported layers, and overlays. Google sat images, satelite images updated every three days, etc. Am I missing something? I used Gaia concurrently for years and didn’t find it any better other than the UI polish and the proprietary map. LMK.

Oh, and I completely agree about your other point.
I wrote this seven years ago. Sadly, I think it’s even more correct –
https://pmags.com/the-culture-of-connectivity-continues

I find CalTopo does not work as well as on large datasets, but overall a fine app.

I wish more map layers available overall.

If I still lived in Colorado I could make good use of the USFS2016 quite easily.

I’ve been using Avenza more frequently when the excellent Lat40 maps cover an area. Avenza works well but somewhat of a pain to switch layers. And the ala carte map model can get expensive

So it goes.

Am I the only one who would love to see these social mapping platforms to destroy themselves? They make these fragile places prematurely accessible to those who have not developed enough respect for where they’re going. It will only get worse with the inevitable rise of high-speed mobile satellite networks (Starlink, etc.).

Cal Topo is the only one that does it right, IMO. No real social component. Just navigation and SAR focus. I’ve been using it for years and never had an issue the likes others seem to think are common place. Their proprietary map could use some work, but I am not jonesing for any of the UI features that would attract the All Trails hordes.

That’s my method as well in terms of using Caltopo on the desktop for route planning. I still think Gaia is a great app in terms of functionaility but it is just going to get worse.

Unfotuntantely with our dominating corpartist culture, I suspect we’ll see more eshittification going forward.

And yeah, screw Outside Inc. for rolling up and strip-mining a bunch of formerly-independent outdoor-related companies. It seems OnX is doing something similar for mapping, e.g. buying Mountain Project. I imagine they’ll merge at some point.

Yikes. Crazy how quickly it went south after Backwoods Retail bought it. Glad for the original owner and customers that someone has brought it back. But this is a great point and example.