When I started hiking and backpacking in Junior High School, there was almost no “technology” to take on the trail. An SLR camera or a flashlight with batteries was as advanced as it got.
But in recent years, especially since the advent of the smartphone, there has been an explosion of technology on the trail. Now there are tools for route-finding, for calling help in an emergency, for communicating without a cell signal, and for listening to music and reading.
It’s only been the last few years that I’ve regularly done longer “section hikes” of the Arizona Trail that cover 35-70 miles and take between 3 days and a week to complete. I’ve found the technology I take makes a big difference on these longer hikes.
The Technological Tools I Take on the Trail
When I go backpacking now, I take several technological tools. I take my iPhone 13 Pro (with a plastic cover protecting the front and back in case of falls), a small, lightweight (3.5 oz) Garmin inReach mini satellite communicator (there’s a new Garmin inReach mini 2 available as well), a battery pack, and charging cables.
These small items give me everything I need to follow the trail, call for help if I have a medical emergency, text or email my wife when there’s no cell signal, listen to music, and read in the evenings.
Finding Your Way
There are mapping apps that you can download to your phone that have several uses. They typically have a topographical map with the location of the trail indicated.
Popular hiking apps include AllTrails, GaiaGPS, AvenzaMaps, and for popular longer trails FarOut. AllTrails and GaiaGPS are likely the most-used apps.
AllTrails and GaiaGPS will help you to discover new trails near where you live, or you can search for the name of a trail. They also include descriptions and ratings of a trail and user comments.
All of these apps include topographical maps and use the GPS built into the iPhone to show your location on (or off!) the trail. As long as you download the map in advance, you don’t need a cell signal to use the app.
While hiking sections of the Arizona Trail I have missed turns (typically where the trail leaves a dirt road walk) and didn’t know I was off-trail until I checked the app. I could then use the GPS location arrow to navigate cross-country to intersect the trail.
Communicating with no Cell Signal
A lot of the trails I hike on have little or no cell signal coverage. In those situations, I’m still able to communicate with my wife by texting or emailing on my iPhone 13 Pro with the Garmin EarthMate app, connected by Bluetooth to my Garmin inReach Mini satellite communicator.
It’s possible to type out text directly on the Garmin InReach using the control buttons. But since the device has such a small screen and an awkward keyboard (think old flip phones) it’s a real pain. It works much better to use the EarthMate app on my iPhone to compose and send messages and emails.
Texting and emailing are not usually instantaneous like when there’s a cell signal available. The device has to locate a satellite, upload the message, and then the satellite service downloads and sends the message to the addressee.
Geography can also have a significant impact. I’ve learned from experience being down in a deep canyon is usually not the ideal location to send and receive messages.
Calling for Emergency Help with the inReach Mini
The Garmin inReach Mini has an SOS button that can be activated in case of an emergency. It connects with a center staffed 24/7 that contacts the appropriate emergency services and provides them with your GPS location.
The service also allows emergency services to communicate with you on the device so they can determine your situation and initiate action. If you’re unable to communicate, search and rescue will come to your last GPS position.
As long as you have tracking activated on your inReach mini, anyone you give your username and password to can log into the Garmin website and follow your progress. If you’re stopped in one location for an extended time, and there’s no communication from you, they can initiate search and rescue and provide your GPS location.
Taking Photos with a Smartphone
Aside from professional photographers, no one wants to lug around a heavy digital SLR, extra lenses, and other gear to take photos. Before the iPhone, I used to carry a small digital camera with extra batteries.
Now, I take the best photos and videos I have ever taken with my iPhone 13 Pro. Since I carry my iPhone to communicate, navigate, read, and listen to music, everything is in one small relatively light package.
Improvements in cameras and processing are the main reasons that get me to upgrade my iPhone to a new model. If I think it will result in better photos on the trail, I’ll upgrade.
Listening to Music and Reading
During the winter, it can be dark at 6 pm, long before I’m ready to sleep. In those cases, or if I get into camp early, I can help fill the time by reading on my iPhone. If it’s cold, I lay in my sleeping bag and read.
I have the Kindle app and the Apple Books app installed on my phone. If I know I may want to read a book while on a trip, I make sure it’s downloaded before I go. I find my iPhone 13 Pro is adequate for reading with my old eyes if I turn it horizontally and increase the size of the type. Some people carry an iPad or Kindle reader, but I don’t want to carry the extra weight when I’m already carrying my iPhone, and that works for me.
I don’t listen to much music when backpacking. When I’m walking I want to enjoy the sounds of nature around me (and warnings from rattlesnakes!). The only time I sometimes listen to music on my iPhone 13 Pro is in the evening when I use it to help relax and get ready to sleep. Again, it needs to be downloaded to your iPhone in advance.
Some hikers listen to music or podcasts the whole time they’re hiking. For them, it’s usually more energy efficient to carry a very small and light MP3 player that is rechargeable.
Managing the Electronic Technology
Conserving Energy
There typically aren’t any electrical sockets available on the trail. I attempt to conserve the energy that I use on my various devices.
While on the trip I keep my iPhone 13 Pro in Airplane Mode so energy is not wasted constantly looking for a cell signal that likely doesn’t exist. I also turn off the screen (push the side button) when I’m not using it.
Another energy-saving measure I take is to turn off Bluetooth when I’m not using it to connect to my inReach Mini when writing a text or email. In addition, I turn off the iPhone app GPS feature unless I’m using it.
A Battery Pack for Recharging
Taking a lot of photos, communicating with my inReach mini, and using my navigational apps all use battery power. Keeping the inReach active tracking my location and sending and receiving messages also drains power from that device.
In order to recharge my devices while on the trail, I carry a battery power pack of at least 10,000 mAh capacity. I’ve recently started using the Zendure Power Bank 10000 mAh Mini Portable Charger. With ports for USB 3 and USB-C, it quick-charges two devices at the same time and also can be recharged quickly via USB-C. I keep my battery and various cables in a tough freezer zip lock bag, inside a small waterproof stuff sack.
Sleeping With the Power
When overnight temperatures are predicted to be in the 30s and lower, I put my battery, my iPhone 13 Pro, and my inReach mini at the bottom of my sleeping bag to keep them warm. Cold temperatures will kill battery output.
A More Enjoyable and Safer Trail Experience.
Taking the devices I choose to carry makes a big difference in my enjoyment. I can take lots of photos and videos, read and listen to music in the evenings. Using one of the trail apps, I can verify that I’m on the right track and get myself back on the trail if I’ve wandered off.
My trail technology also makes my wife much more comfortable. Since I usually hike solo and sometimes don’t see another person for days, she worries about my physical safety and how I would call for help in the event of a medical emergency.
By carrying the Garmin inReach Mini, she is reassured that I can call for help if necessary. She also feels better being able to text and email me while I’m on the trail. Likewise, she likes to be able to log on and see where I am on a map at any given time and track my movements throughout the day.