The Story

outrageGIS mapping began in 1997. Our trail maps are done 'on spec' and funded completely from map sales. We have mapped over 1,330 miles of park trails and have published numerous guides and maps that are distributed nationally. Our parks are scenic and historical treasures so we must leave no trace when we enjoy them. We like to think that our maps help you get lost in nature.

 

We offer custom GPS, GIS, and cartographic services and operate a full printing studio for offset, oversized maps and small book publishing. We actively promote the development of hiking and multi-use trails in the Bluegrass and beyond. It is on the trail, in exploration, do we find ourselves.

The Map

  • A map is an artistic rendering of Earth.
  • A map is a measurement of our use, expectations, and hazards of our environment.
  • A map is a tool for remembering the familiar and navigating the unknown.
  • A cartographer renders earth in maps.
Any man that walks the mead
In bud, or blade, or bloom, may find
A meaning suited to his mind.
-Alfred Tennyson

 

We Can Make Your Map

We are an independent developer and publisher of map products for tourism, publishing, E911 services, search and rescue, natural resource management, and recreational uses. While we focus on public areas, we have made maps for a diverse range of clients and purposes. Contact us to discuss your project.

 

Selected List of Clients

Backpacker Magazine, Berea College, Filson Club, Kentucky Bar Association, Gyula Pauer Center for Cartography & GIS, U.S. National Park Service, U.S. National Forest Service, WKYT, Sportvision, Dos Vatos Productions, Kentucky Rails-to-Trails, Dry Stone Conservancy, The National Park Conservation Association, and the Southern and Eastern Kentucky Tourism Development Association (SEKTDA).

The Team

Boyd Shearer Jr.

GIS, GPS, Design & Cartography

Boyd started outrageGIS mapping while working as a cartographer for the University of Kentucky Appalachian Center, where he mapped the social, environmental, and economic conditions of Appalachia. He has published original research on historic parks in Kentucky and has GPS mapped hundreds of miles of recreational trail. He is dedicated to making maps for our national parks and forests. He is a Lecturer of mapping & GIS at the University of Kentucky with a research focus in developing hiking trail metrics, lidar and 3D maps, and creating near real-time park weather maps.

John Thompson

GPS, Production & Publishing

John operates and manages outrageGIS mapping's offset print studio. As a long-time manager of various print shops, he understands production from layout to pre-press to finishing. When he's not printing, he is chef and caterer extraordinaire.

Our Hike Hounds

Jake Iser, Elmer, Eddie Thompson, Serendipity (Dip), Pixel of course, Jake Anderson, Luke Sargent, Poco Reigert, Isabella Hirschowitz, young Libby, young Gibby, good ol Chuco, Sally O'Mally, and Tula (in order of appearance)

Past Interns & Contributors

Mr. Alex Thor - The cartographic hammer on Big South Fork, Cumberland Falls, and Veteran's Park trails

Mr. David Wagner - Cartographic excellence on Cave Run

Ms. Stacey Turnage - Consumer GPS use in GeoCaching

Porter Jarrard - Cartography and GPS

Ari Luis Palos - Videography

Go Explore!

Our Favorite Hikes

A simple GPS tool for the phone

If you visit this site often, you likely have a favorite map app on your phone. I certainly do and I have installed dozens of apps over the years. Most focus on placing your location as a dot on the map.

The dot

Any map app that shows your location as a dot on the map fosters a dependence on your...

Our Blog

RRG 3D terrain map

Interactive web maps have come a long way over the years. First we had slippy maps using raster tilesets – they’ve been around for about twenty years and are incredibly durable. However, once the tileset is rendered, it’s not easy to change the look of the raster image. You will need to render ...

Our Clients' Maps

RRG 3D terrain map

Interactive web maps have come a long way over the years. First we had slippy maps using raster tilesets – they’ve been around for about twenty years and are incredibly durable. However, once the tileset is rendered, it’s not easy to change the look of the raster image. You will need to render ...

Recent Photographs & Maps

D Boone Hut hike

D Boone Hut hike Red River Gorge, Daniel Boone NF

Cumberland Gap, ridge and v...

Cumberland Gap, ridge and valley, and impact crater The interesting physiography of southeastern Kentucky and southw...