The Art of Mapping

Growing up, I used to hang topographic maps on my bedroom walls, drawing lines over the routes I’d taken, contemplating alternative paths, and visualizing future trips. — Eric Wolfe, Footpath Founder

At Footpath we believe that mapping is not just a means to an end but an art form, a way to engage deeply with the environment before ever setting foot on the trail.

For many, planning means spreadsheets, schedules, and checklists. But for map lovers, planning is an immersive experience, one that offers an intimate understanding of a place without ever stepping foot there. A good map can transport you to the heart of Patagonia or the rugged peaks of the Himalayas, letting you imagine routes, challenges, and possibilities.

Using a map is like playing jazz. Just as musicians improvise around a melody, seasoned adventurers use maps as a framework, drawing upon experience and environmental cues to adapt their journey in real-time. The more knowledge you gather beforehand—through maps, satellite imagery, and guidebooks—the easier it becomes to adjust when faced with unexpected obstacles.

Nature is dynamic. Trails can be washed out, gates locked, rivers flooded. A well-prepared navigator knows how to find alternative routes, read the landscape, and pivot when necessary. As Dwight D. Eisenhower famously said:

Plans are worthless, but planning is everything.

You’ll probably hear us say this again…

For those who master navigation, the wilderness becomes a limitless playground. Trails turn into mere suggestions, and the mountains transform into a blank canvas for exploration. The ability to move confidently through rugged landscapes, adapt to changing conditions, and forge one’s own path is the essence of true freedom.

With Footpath, we hope to inspire and equip you to embrace this philosophy, turning every mapped journey into an artful adventure.