Here’s a walk-through using the Liberty Ridge route on Mt. Make use of Google Earth's detailed globe by tilting the map to save a perfect 3D view or diving. Of course it’s my favorite mapping software, CalTopo! (If you'd like to learn the basics of Calopo, watch this video.) Download Google Earth in Apple App Store Download Google Earth in Google. There are various ways to convert from GPX to KML. A “KML” file (Keyhole Markup Language, in case you really wanted to know) is a file format of geographic data that plays nicely with Google Earth. They display more easily if you convert them to a KML file first. While Google Earth does import GPX files, it’s a bit of a bother. (If you're looking for GPX files of climbing routes in the Pacific Northwest, a great place to start is right here on Alpinesavvy, where you can download more than 70 of the most popular routes.)

But it's also really helpful to see it in Google Earth before you leave town to help visualize your route, and maybe save a few screen grabs to help with wayfinding on your actual trip. It's of course great to have a GPX track on your phone GPS app to help with navigation in the field. A GPX track file shows a continuous line of a mountaineering route, hike, mountain bike trail, or pretty much anything.

Google earth kmz viewer