Backpacking is supposed to be an excuse to get away from tech. But I went on a trip with as much tech as I could carry. And I learned a lot.
For many traditionalists, the very idea of carrying our arsenal of electronic gadgetry into the wilderness is anathema. However, much as I myself may enjoy the simplicity of the unfiltered outdoors experience, there is much fun and utility to be found in the cutting edge of technology.
On the road Despite the maze of old logging roads I had to navigate, Google Maps worked splendidly, though after driving over 12 miles of washboard gravel spotted with sneaky potholes, I’m not sure my dusty, beaten-up, old Subaru Forester will ever be the same again. We arrived a bit late due to slow traffic and the poor condition of the road. I recommend adding 20% to whatever Google estimates the travel time to be.
The Z6 is an excellent lowlight camera, and since I picked up the Z9, it almost exclusively functions for capturing beautiful time-lapse videos of stars at night, and as a backup to my Z9 in case something goes wrong. Batteries and power It’s easy to forget how much juice our devices require when we have the opportunity to plug in every evening for a leisurely refill. Once that convenient source of electricity is far behind you on the other side of a mountain range, you quickly realize that your gadgets gobble electricity at an alarming rate, and if you’re planning a multiday journey, you need to pack extra batteries.
Cairn, AllTrails, Avenza, and onX Backcountry are all serviceable, but I eventually settled on Gaia GPS, as I came to prefer its interface. It’s the service I’d recommend. AllTrails is a good alternative if you’re looking more for preplanned trip suggestions, while onX is tailored more to those who are exploring areas where identifying landownership is of paramount importance.
Satellite communication There’s no getting around the fact that hiking in remote locations carries with it a certain amount of risk. Every year, people disappear into the wilderness and are never seen alive again. Admittedly, these unfortunate folks make up a small percentage of the waffle-stomping multitudes, but the dangers are very real.
Plant and animal ID The Android and Apple app stores are full of apps for every conceivable purpose, except a good app with which to identify plants and animals offline using the camera. If you’re looking for help identifying edible plants, you’re better off with an e-book.
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