Pacific Crest Trail, 1997
Photo courtesy of Paul Bodnar
About Atlas Guides
Atlas Guides was started by a couple of thru-hikers who hiked the Pacific Crest Trail together in 2010. The first Guthook Guide was released in 2012, and we haven’t stopped since. What started as a simple, navigational smartphone guide for the PCT has now turned into a portfolio of hiking guides for the most popular trails around the world. As a small team of experienced long-distance backpackers and hikers, our goal is to provide you with the best smartphone navigational guide for your outdoor adventure.
Mission Statement & Values
At Atlas Guides we inspire people to confidently navigate the outdoors, and we work to build a supportive community that also cherishes our world's natural and cultural spaces.
Inclusion in the outdoors
In order to hold ourselves accountable as active allies to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), we have signed onto the Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge and are committed to implementing each item in the pledge.
Integrity
We care deeply about the products that we put into the world and the partnerships that we create. We strive to engage with everyone in a way that promotes openness, honesty, and transparency.
Curiosity
We are fundamentally curious about the natural world around us. We hope to help other curious individuals experience this world by exploring the depths of wilderness and pushing the boundaries of their previous experience.
Passion
Atlas Guides was founded by long distance hikers who wanted to create a better experience for other hikers. We have continued to bring that enthusiasm and excitement to everything we do. We make apps that we use on our own hikes!
Responsibility
As a part of the outdoor industry, we have a responsibility to the places that we inhabit. We care deeply for our public lands and partner with trail organizations to ensure and promote responsible use.
Community
Not only do we have a responsibility to the land, but we also have a responsibility to the diverse community of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts who we support. We encourage partnership, collaboration, and welcoming attitudes.
Reliability
We understand how important it is to stay safe in the wilderness. We offer reliable and accurate trail and water information, and act as a safety net for those who might have been afraid to tackle a big adventure on their own.
Integrity
We care deeply about the products that we put into the world and the partnerships that we create. We strive to engage with everyone in a way that promotes openness, honesty, and transparency.
Curiosity
We are fundamentally curious about the natural world around us. We hope to help other curious individuals experience this world by exploring the depths of wilderness and pushing the boundaries of their previous experience.
Passion
Atlas Guides was founded by long distance hikers who wanted to create a better experience for other hikers. We have continued to bring that enthusiasm and excitement to everything we do. We make apps that we use on our own hikes!
Responsibility
As a part of the outdoor industry, we have a responsibility to the places that we inhabit. We care deeply for our public lands and partner with trail organizations to ensure and promote responsible use.
Community
Not only do we have a responsibility to the land, but we also have a responsibility to the diverse community of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts who we support. We encourage partnership, collaboration, and welcoming attitudes.
Reliability
We understand how important it is to stay safe in the wilderness. We offer reliable and accurate trail and water information, and act as a safety net for those who might have been afraid to tackle a big adventure on their own.
Integrity
We care deeply about the products that we put into the world and the partnerships that we create. We strive to engage with everyone in a way that promotes openness, honesty, and transparency, along with the rest of our values.
Curiosity
We are fundamentally curious about the natural world around us. We hope to help other curious individuals experience this world by exploring the depths of wilderness and pushing the boundaries of their previous experience.
Passion
Atlas Guides was founded by long distance hikers who wanted to create a better experience for other hikers. We have continued to bring that enthusiasm and excitement to everything we do. We make apps that we use on our own hikes!
Responsibility
As a part of the outdoor industry, we have a responsibility to the places that we inhabit. We care deeply for our public lands and partner with land management and conservation agencies to ensure and promote responsible use.
Community
Not only do we have a responsibility to the land, but we also have a responsibility to the diverse community of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts who we support. We encourage partnership, collaboration, and welcoming attitudes.
Reliability
We understand how important it is to stay safe in the wilderness. We offer reliable and accurate trail and water information, and act as a safety net for those who might have been afraid to tackle a big adventure on their own.
Paul Bodnar
Founder & President/CEO
Paul has always liked hiking and thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 1997 after college. After years of working in chemistry, he wanted to create a career involving the outdoors, so he hiked the PCT again in 2010 to do research for his guide book, Pocket PCT. He realized that creating a smartphone app for navigating the outdoors would make it easier to keep the data current and provide a better way to navigate. While hiking with Ryan (aka Guthook) in 2010, they decided to work together to create the first comprehensive smartphone guide for the PCT.
Ryan Linn
Founder & CTO
Ryan is also known as “Guthook”, which is where our hiking app gets its name. Already an avid hiker, he hiked the Appalachian Trail, New England Trail, and Pacific Crest Trail before joining forces with Paul to create the Guthook Guides apps. Ryan handles iOS development for our apps from his office in Maine, and often runs away to the forests and mountains throughout New England. He also volunteers with the Maine Appalachian Trail Club and the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Baxter State Park in Maine is his happy place.
Alice Bodnar
COO & General Counsel
Alice left her super stressful job as an attorney and thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 2012. After the hike she began developing Guthook’s PCT Guide for Android and intended to return to law as soon as she caught up with her Android work. She never caught up, and now serves as Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel for the company.
Natalie McMillan
Marketing Director
Natalie grew up hiking in Arizona where she fell in love with the outdoors. Her favorite hikes are to Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon and Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park, UT. She loves taking pictures of people, places, and nature, which might explain why she has almost 65,000 photos currently residing on her phone. She takes care of all things related to social media and marketing and recently moved to Denver, CO from Flagstaff, AZ. You may find her frolicking around the trails and mountains of Colorado, or exploring the new city she gets to call home.
Dahn Pratt
Analytics & Data Specialist
Dahn began collecting trail data for Atlas Guides in 2017 on his 10,000 mile project called Chasing Summer. The most recent data for the Te Araroa, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Jordan Trail and Israel National Trail all came from Dahn. Now you will find Dahn on the office side of Atlas Guides doing all kinds of things, like data analytics, data processing, customer support, and more. When he is not hiking he can be found camping, or making bad jokes.
Kenna Sarae
Sustainabilities Coordinator & Operations Assistant
Kenna-Sarae grew up in Northern California visiting her grandmother’s cabins along the PCT, which helped catalyze her love for the outdoors and interest in backpacking. She is particularly passionate about the intersection between sustainability and outdoor recreation, connecting with womxn and communities that have been historically underrepresented in outdoor spaces, and pesto pasta. You’re likely to find her having an impromptu dance party with her pup, whether it’s while backpacking, climbing, mountain biking, or just on the side of the road.
Giving Back
1% for good. Atlas Guides is committed to helping support our community, our world, and our environment. This is why we’ve pledged to follow the 1-1-1 model. As a company, we donate at least 1% of our product, our time, and our profits to causes and non-profit organizations that help make a difference.
Pledge 1% is a global movement to create a new normal in which giving back is integrated into the DNA of companies. Over 3000 companies in 80 countries have joined the movement.
Learn more below about the organizations that we support.
Maintaining trails.
Photo by Markus Spiske
Maintaining trails.
Photo by Markus Spiske
1% for good. Atlas Guides is committed to helping support our community, our world, and our environment. This is why we’ve pledged to follow the 1-1-1 model. As a company, we donate at least 1% of our product, our time, and our profits to causes and non-profit organizations that help make a difference.
Pledge 1% is a global movement to create a new normal in which giving back is integrated into the DNA of companies. Over 3000 companies in 80 countries have joined the movement.
Learn more below about the organizations that we support.
Arizona Trail Association
We are proud to be a Business Partner of the Arizona Trail Association. We are glad to partner with them to create the Official Hiking and Biking Apps of the Arizona Trail.
Buckeye Trail Association
The Buckeye Trail Association is a large, strong body of volunteers who maintain and promote the trail. We are honored to work with the BTA to create the Official App of the Buckeye Trail.
Colorado Trail Foundation
Our first official trail organization partner was the Colorado Trail Foundation. We work with the CTF to create, improve, and update the Official Hiking and Biking Apps of the Colorado Trail.
Continental Divide Trail Coalition
The mission of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition is to complete, promote, and protect the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. We work with the CDTC to create and maintain the Official App of the Continental Divide Trail.
Croatian Long Distance Trail Association
The Croatian Long Distance Trail Association is a dedicated group of individuals committed to building, maintaining, and promoting recreation on the CLDT. We are proud to offer the Official App of the CLDT.
Great Divide Trail Association
The Great Divide Trail Association is a Canadian nonprofit that is dedicated to promoting, protecting, planning, designing, surveying, constructing, and maintaining the GDT. We are proud to offer the Official App of the Great Divide Trail.
Ice Age Trail Alliance
The mission of the Ice Age Trail Alliance is to create, support and protect the thousand-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail. We partnered with the IATA to create and maintain the Official App of the Ice Age Trail, Mammoth Tracks.
Mid State Trail Association
The Mid State Trail Association constructs and maintains only footpaths, and acts to protect the wild, scenic, natural, and cultural resources of the corridor. We partnered with the MSTA to create the Official App of the Mid State Trail.
Pacific Northwest Trail Association
The Pacific Northwest Trail Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of the PNT. In partnership with the PNTA, we created the Official App of the PNT.
Tahoe Rim Trail Association
The mission of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association is to maintain and enhance the Tahoe Rim Trail system, practice and inspire stewardship, and preserve access to the natural beauty of the Lake Tahoe region. In partnership with the TRTA, we created the Official App of the Tahoe Rim Trail.
Arizona Trail Association
The Arizona Trail is a few hundred yards from our Flagstaff office, and we are proud to be a Business Partner of the Arizona Trail Association. The ATA is a growing trail stewardship organization that does an outstanding job with programs aimed at engaging the community and protecting the Arizona Trail. We are glad to partner with them to create the Arizona Trail’s official app.
Buckeye Trail Association
The Buckeye Trail Association is a large, strong body of volunteers who maintain and promote the trail. Under the leadership of the BTA, the Buckeye Trail continues to change and improve as the BTA looks for ways to move sections off roads, and to upgrade those off-road sections to high quality trail. One of our newest partners, we are honored to work with the BTA to create the official app of the Buckeye Trail.
Colorado Trail Foundation
Our first official trail organization partner, the Colorado Trail Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works to keep the Colorado Trail in good condition. The CTF organizes volunteers who continue to improve and maintain the Colorado Trail. The Colorado Trail Foundation works with Atlas Guides to create, improve, and update the official Colorado Trail hiking and biking apps.
Continental Divide Trail Coalition
The mission of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition is to complete, promote, and protect the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. The CDTC accomplishes this by building a strong and diverse community, providing up-to-date information, and encouraging stewardship of the trail and its surrounding landscapes. Atlas Guides works with the CDTC to create and maintain the Continental Divide Trail Coalition’s official app for the trail.
Croatian Long Distance Trail Association
One of our newest international partners, the Croatian Long Distance Trail Association is a dedicated group of individuals committed to building, maintaining, and promoting recreation on the Croatian Long Distance Trail. The Association is working to create, build, and mark the 2300-km CLDT, creating an uninterrupted mountain-hiking trail across Croatia. Atlas Guides is proud to offer the official app for the CLDT.
Great Divide Trail Association
The Great Divide Trail Association is a Canadian nonprofit that is dedicated to promoting, protecting, planning, designing, surveying, constructing, and maintaining the Great Divide Trail in the Rocky Mountains of Canada, and their goal is to obtain formal recognition and protection of the Great Divide Trail Corridor. The official Great Divide Trail app was created as the result of an ongoing partnership between Atlas Guides and the Great Divide Trail Association.
Ice Age Trail Alliance
The mission of the Ice Age Trail Alliance is to create, support and protect the thousand-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail, which traces Ice Age formations across Wisconsin. In collaboration with their partners, they envision a premier, continuous, permanently protected Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Atlas Guides has partnered with the Ice Age Trail Alliance to create and maintain their official app, Mammoth Tracks.
Mid State Trail Association
The Mid State Trail was created to foster natural experiences, so that all may enjoy the natural spaces of the state of Pennsylvania. The Mid State Trail Association seeks out remote, quiet, and natural routes for the trail, constructs and maintains only footpaths, and acts to protect the wild, scenic, natural, and cultural resources of the corridor. Atlas Guides has partnered with the Mid State Trail Association to create the official Mid State Trail app.
Pacific Northwest Trail Association
The Pacific Northwest Trail Association is the organization that created the Pacific Northwest Trail and has advocated for its place in our National Trails System. Today, they strive to build a better PNT and to improve access with trail information and outreach and are dedicated to the protection of the PNT. In partnership with the PNTA, Atlas Guides has created the official app for the Pacific Northwest Trail.
Tahoe Rim Trail Association
The mission of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association is to maintain and enhance the Tahoe Rim Trail system, practice and inspire stewardship, and preserve access to the natural beauty of the Lake Tahoe region. The TRTA protects the trail experience while engaging with the community through volunteer and educational programs. In partnership with the TRTA, Atlas Guides has created the official Tahoe Rim Trail navigational app.
Arizona Trail Association
The Arizona Trail is a few hundred yards from our Flagstaff office, and we are proud to be a Business Partner of the Arizona Trail Association. The ATA is a growing trail stewardship organization that does an outstanding job with programs aimed at engaging the community and protecting the Arizona Trail. We are glad to partner with them to create the Arizona Trail’s official app.
Buckeye Trail Association
The Buckeye Trail Association is a large, strong body of volunteers who maintain and promote the trail. Under the leadership of the BTA, the Buckeye Trail continues to change and improve as the BTA looks for ways to move sections off roads, and to upgrade those off-road sections to high quality trail. One of our newest partners, we are honored to work with the BTA to create the official app of the Buckeye Trail.
Colorado Trail Foundation
Our first official trail organization partner, the Colorado Trail Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works to keep the Colorado Trail in good condition. The CTF organizes volunteers who continue to improve and maintain the Colorado Trail. The Colorado Trail Foundation works with Atlas Guides to create, improve, and update the official Colorado Trail hiking and biking apps.
Continental Divide Trail Coalition
The mission of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition is to complete, promote, and protect the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. The CDTC accomplishes this by building a strong and diverse community, providing up-to-date information, and encouraging stewardship of the trail and its surrounding landscapes. Atlas Guides works with the CDTC to create and maintain the Continental Divide Trail Coalition’s official app for the trail.
Croatian Long Distance Trail Association
One of our newest international partners, the Croatian Long Distance Trail Association is a dedicated group of individuals committed to building, maintaining, and promoting recreation on the Croatian Long Distance Trail. The Association is working to create, build, and mark the 2300-km CLDT, creating an uninterrupted mountain-hiking trail across Croatia. Atlas Guides is proud to offer the official app for the CLDT.
Great Divide Trail Association
The Great Divide Trail Association is a Canadian nonprofit that is dedicated to promoting, protecting, planning, designing, surveying, constructing, and maintaining the Great Divide Trail in the Rocky Mountains of Canada, and their goal is to obtain formal recognition and protection of the Great Divide Trail Corridor. The official Great Divide Trail app was created as the result of an ongoing partnership between Atlas Guides and the Great Divide Trail Association.
Ice Age Trail Alliance
The mission of the Ice Age Trail Alliance is to create, support and protect the thousand-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail, which traces Ice Age formations across Wisconsin. In collaboration with their partners, they envision a premier, continuous, permanently protected Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Atlas Guides has partnered with the Ice Age Trail Alliance to create and maintain their official app, Mammoth Tracks.
Mid State Trail Association
The Mid State Trail was created to foster natural experiences, so that all may enjoy the natural spaces of the state of Pennsylvania. The Mid State Trail Association seeks out remote, quiet, and natural routes for the trail, constructs and maintains only footpaths, and acts to protect the wild, scenic, natural, and cultural resources of the corridor. Atlas Guides has partnered with the Mid State Trail Association to create the official Mid State Trail app.
Pacific Northwest Trail Association
The Pacific Northwest Trail Association is the organization that created the Pacific Northwest Trail and has advocated for its place in our National Trails System. Today, they strive to build a better PNT and to improve access with trail information and outreach and are dedicated to the protection of the PNT. In partnership with the PNTA, Atlas Guides has created the official app for the Pacific Northwest Trail.
Tahoe Rim Trail Association
The mission of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association is to maintain and enhance the Tahoe Rim Trail system, practice and inspire stewardship, and preserve access to the natural beauty of the Lake Tahoe region. The TRTA protects the trail experience while engaging with the community through volunteer and educational programs. In partnership with the TRTA, Atlas Guides has created the official Tahoe Rim Trail navigational app.
Center for Biological Diversity
The Center for Biological Diversity has many program areas, including some concerning public lands. The CBD’s public lands program has protected countless species and delicate ecosystems across millions of acres of federal land. The side benefits of protecting species habitat are tremendous. Atlas Guides has joined the CBD to support its programs, efforts, and mission.
Granite Gear Grounds Keepers
The Granite Gear Grounds Keepers is a group of diverse individuals who pick up trash as they hike our trails and parks and paddle our waterways and lakes. They commit to leaving the places they visit better and inspiring others to do the same. When trash is in our wild places, it’s everyone’s responsibility! Follow along to see the pounds of trash picked up, and catch Grounds Keepers on Instagram. Learn more about the program and how you can get involved!
Green Mountain Club
The Green Mountain Club is the 100+-year old organization that maintains and protects Vermont’s Long Trail, and works to “make the Vermont mountains play a larger part in the life of the people”. They also maintain the AT and many other trails in the state, and are a model of fine work in protecting the recreational and natural resources of the Green Mountains. Atlas Guides is a proud Business Member of the Green Mountain Club.
Maine Appalachian Trail Club
The Maine Appalachian Trail Club maintains the northernmost 280 miles of the Appalachian Trail, from Grafton Notch to Katahdin. Guthook is a proud member of the Club, as well as a volunteer trail maintainer for about 8 miles of trail over Mt. Abraham. The work done by MATC is outstanding and sets a high standard for trail maintenance organizations across the country!
Natural Resources Council of Maine
The Natural Resources Council of Maine is a nonprofit environmental advocacy group focusing on protecting Maine’s environment and public lands through sustainable use. Atlas Guides is proud to be supporting members of NRCM and to help the organization spread the word about some of their initiatives, including their recent success in achieving National Monument designation for the Katahdin Woods & Waters of Maine’s north woods.
Warrior Expeditions
Warrior Expeditions supports combat veterans transitioning from their military service by providing them with everything they need to participate in long distance outdoor expeditions on long trails in the US. During their outdoor expedition, veterans can decompress from their military service and come to terms with their wartime experiences. We continue to support Warrior Expeditions by donating apps to Warrior Hike participants.
Center for Biological Diversity
The Center for Biological Diversity has many program areas, including some concerning public lands. The CBD’s public lands program has protected countless species and delicate ecosystems across millions of acres of federal land. The side benefits of protecting species habitat are tremendous. Atlas Guides has joined the CBD to support its programs, efforts, and mission.
Granite Gear Grounds Keepers
The Granite Gear Grounds Keepers is a group of diverse individuals who pick up trash as they hike our trails and parks and paddle our waterways and lakes. They commit to leaving the places they visit better and inspiring others to do the same. When trash is in our wild places, it’s everyone’s responsibility! Follow along to see the pounds of trash picked up, and catch Grounds Keepers on Instagram. Learn more about the program and how you can get involved!
Green Mountain Club
The Green Mountain Club is the 100+-year old organization that maintains and protects Vermont’s Long Trail, and works to “make the Vermont mountains play a larger part in the life of the people”. They also maintain the AT and many other trails in the state, and are a model of fine work in protecting the recreational and natural resources of the Green Mountains. Atlas Guides is a proud Business Member of the Green Mountain Club.
Maine Appalachian Trail Club
The Maine Appalachian Trail Club maintains the northernmost 280 miles of the Appalachian Trail, from Grafton Notch to Katahdin. Guthook is a proud member of the Club, as well as a volunteer trail maintainer for about 8 miles of trail over Mt. Abraham. The work done by MATC is outstanding and sets a high standard for trail maintenance organizations across the country!
Natural Resources Council of Maine
The Natural Resources Council of Maine is a nonprofit environmental advocacy group focusing on protecting Maine’s environment and public lands through sustainable use. Atlas Guides is proud to be supporting members of NRCM and to help the organization spread the word about some of their initiatives, including their recent success in achieving National Monument designation for the Katahdin Woods & Waters of Maine’s north woods.
Warrior Expeditions
Warrior Expeditions supports combat veterans transitioning from their military service by providing them with everything they need to participate in long distance outdoor expeditions on long trails in the US. During their outdoor expedition, veterans can decompress from their military service and come to terms with their wartime experiences. We continue to support Warrior Expeditions by donating apps to Warrior Hike participants.
Center for Biological Diversity
The Center for Biological Diversity has many program areas, including some concerning public lands. The CBD’s public lands program has protected countless species and delicate ecosystems across millions of acres of federal land. The side benefits of protecting species habitat are tremendous. Atlas Guides has joined the CBD to support its programs, efforts, and mission.
Granite Gear Grounds Keepers
The Granite Gear Grounds Keepers is a group of diverse individuals who pick up trash as they hike our trails and parks and paddle our waterways and lakes. They commit to leaving the places they visit better and inspiring others to do the same. When trash is in our wild places, it’s everyone’s responsibility! Follow along to see the pounds of trash picked up, and catch Grounds Keepers on Instagram. Learn more about the program and how you can get involved!
Green Mountain Club
The Green Mountain Club is the 100+-year old organization that maintains and protects Vermont’s Long Trail, and works to “make the Vermont mountains play a larger part in the life of the people”. They also maintain the AT and many other trails in the state, and are a model of fine work in protecting the recreational and natural resources of the Green Mountains. Atlas Guides is a proud Business Member of the Green Mountain Club.
Maine Appalachian Trail Club
The Maine Appalachian Trail Club maintains the northernmost 280 miles of the Appalachian Trail, from Grafton Notch to Katahdin. Guthook is a proud member of the Club, as well as a volunteer trail maintainer for about 8 miles of trail over Mt. Abraham. The work done by MATC is outstanding and sets a high standard for trail maintenance organizations across the country!
Natural Resources Council of Maine
The Natural Resources Council of Maine is a nonprofit environmental advocacy group focusing on protecting Maine’s environment and public lands through sustainable use. Atlas Guides is proud to be supporting members of NRCM and to help the organization spread the word about some of their initiatives, including their recent success in achieving National Monument designation for the Katahdin Woods & Waters of Maine’s north woods.
Warrior Expeditions
Warrior Expeditions supports combat veterans transitioning from their military service by providing them with everything they need to participate in long distance outdoor expeditions on long trails in the US. During their outdoor expedition, veterans can decompress from their military service and come to terms with their wartime experiences. We continue to support Warrior Expeditions by donating apps to Warrior Hike participants.
2010
In 2010, our two founders, Paul and Ryan, met while thru-hiking the PCT. During their hike the idea for Guthook Guides was born.
2012
The first Guthook Guide is released on iOS for the Pacific Crest Trail.
2013
Alice joins the team, and the first Guthook Guide is released for Android.
2014
Atlas Guides goes international and releases the first Trailblazer guide in the UK, making the South Downs Way the first trail guide outside of the United States! Also, the Colorado Trail Foundation takes a chance and Atlas Guides gains their first official trail organization partner.
2018
Atlas Guides grows! The company, which was previously a partnership between two separate organizations, merges into one.
2020
Atlas Guides headquarters moves to Denver, Colorado.
Where will you go #withguthook?
Visit our Instagram to see adventures that other hikers are going on!