- Don't Forget the iPod Touch When Hiking - Stephanie Cox
Before heading out the to wilderness with your iPhone or iPod Touch, make sure you have it in a hard protective case with a plastic screen protector. Double protect it from wetness and rain by sealing it in a plastic bag. The iPod Camping and Hiking Apps are useless if it becomes damaged or won't turn on. In addition, see Using the Apple iPod Touch in the Outdoors for more tips on utilizing these devices for backpacking and camping.
Free Hiking App-- EveryTrail
The EveryTrail App is available for free from the Apple iTunes App store. The App allows the user to select a location and activity and then it displays a list of trails by rating, length or proximity. The App allows the user to search for trails close to their current location, but only if Wi-Fi is available (which it needs for the GPS device to work). If Wi-Fi is not available, the user can type in a location to search near.
Each trail description includes total length, elevation change, duration, history, map, directions to the trail head and the option to save the trip to the device. This App is best used for quick preparation and not as a map of the field.
Columbia App-- What Knot
A fun and potentially useful App for camping and hiking is the What Knot To Do In the Greater Outdoors, sponsored by Columbia Sportswear. This App lets the users select rope situations and it will explain what knot is best. The user can save their favorite knots or browse all knots. The App shows color pictures for each knot type along with a step-by-step guide for how to make it.
Camp & Hike Checklist Apps
This App is one of the most highly rated camping App at the iTunes App store. Available for $0.99, this App provides various checklists for different outdoor camping scenarios. The user can also add their own checklists and also create and save to-do lists.
Another popular camping checklist App is The Backpacker Checklist App. Also available for $0.99, this app not only helps the user create checklists but also tells you where to buy gear and also estimates the total weight. The user can group items by function and eliminate unnecessary items.
Map Apps for Hiking
Several Map Apps available for the iPhone and iPod Touch could be very useful in an emergency. For $9.99, users can download TopoPointUSA. This App provides high resolution USGS topographical maps, essential for any hiker. The iTouch/iPhone finger and pinch scrolling technology is ideal for this App. The downside is that this App's GPS and compass won't work without Wi-Fi or 3G. However, maps can be downloaded to the TopoPointUSA Map Case for offline viewing.
Great for use with a traditional map and compass.
While not traditionally synonymous, outdoor recreational and technology are slowly joining hands. As the popularity of third party Apps increases, expect to see more helpful tools available for the camping and hiking enthusiast.
Stephanie Cox - Stephanie earned a B.S. in General Science with minors in physics and professional writing from Portland State University. As a teenager, ...
