So, the big question is: should I take technology with me on my trek or should I leave it at home? And if so, how much is too much. This is a topic that I have 2 opinions on. I like having some of the technology with me, yet I think it can be a hindrance.
The point of backpacking is to "get away from it all" and most technology takes away from that. Today, more and more people become obsessed with texting and it carries over to the trail. If your goal is to get away from the pleasures we have and get out where the nature is, then we should forego the technology. I personally take some electronics with me, but I set standards for myself and for those hiking with me. I am against texting and talking on the phone while out on a trek. It irks me when I'm out hiking and come across someone being obnoxious on the phone. Same with Facebook. If you're so eager to talk to your friends and get updated on everyone's social life, why are you out hiking? I also prefer to leave the tablet and game devices at home. I'm out there to enjoy being away from it all and enjoy the trees, the streams, the forests. When you take electronics, and particularly games, you may as well stay at home. Not to mention the extra weight tablets add.
I am not 100% against having technology though. I always bring my phone hiking, but like I said, I have standards. I put my phone in airplane mode so I can't receive calls or texts and sometimes I just leave it off. However, I take pictures of my hikes with my phone so it's on for most of the hike. I am pro-camera. I think it's important to get pictures of your treks to spark our memories. When It comes to the phone, there are advantages. If you get stuck or in some kind of trouble, you can now just call someone. That is a big plus, but I don't let it tempt me into always being on it.
iPods and MP3 players. What's my opinion on it? I personally love listening to music when hiking. I do enjoy a good hike with silence, but I hike quite a bit with music. I think this is where I compromise a little. I don't like when people rely on electronics while hiking, but I do listen to music. And being how I listen to music, I bring an iPod. If you like to listen to music while hiking or biking, get an iPod or MP3 player. I used to use the music player on my phone and it would drain the battery, making my phone unavailable to call someone if I got in trouble.
Something else that a lot of people don't think about is beacons. There are many different brands of beacons such as ResQlink. These devices track your GPS location so if you get lost or injured, you can activate it and a park ranger or law enforcement can find you. That being said, it's important that people know where you are hiking at. And in addition to hiking beacons, there's avalanche beacons made by brands like Mammut and Backcountry that track you if you end up buried in an avalanche. The plus to these devices is the flexibility to leave your phone at home. You now have a way for people to find you so why do you need the phone?
When I hike, I prefer to navigate using maps, but GPS is a great way to navigate. I have nothing against GPS, I just like maps. GPS can make a trip so much easier to navigate, allowing you to focus on the beauty around you instead of wondering where you're at. There are even GPS downloads for topo maps so you can use it in the wilderness. And like MP3 players, try to avoid using your phone. There are some great GPS apps out there, including backpacking ones that will track your trip so you can go back and see where you went and most of these have topo maps in them. However, it will drain your battery. If you want to go with GPS, I advise just buying a good one like Garmin.
If you are going to hike on the trail with anything electronic, the most important thing to remember is how much power it will use up. It's important to carry spare batteries for all your electronics, especially your flashlights. If your electronic isn't rechargeable, it's vital to bring extra batteries. But if your electronics can be recharged, such as a phone or iPod, you may want to consider investing in a solar charger. You can get an external battery, but if you have the solar charger, you have infinite power. Mine has a battery built into it, so it can charge in the sun while hiking, then you can charge your phone in the evening.
Whether you chose to bring your phone, MP3 player, iPod, camera is totally up to you. My philosophy is everything is based on preference, just consider the fact that you're out there to enjoy nature and the company if fellow hikers. So enjoy it and don't waste the trip by talking on the phone, texting, or being on a social media site. Comment what you think.
