The Green Hiker

Hiking Apps for the iPhone and Android Smart Phone 

Your hiking pack is finally optimized:  just the right number of elements for hiking safety and camping comfort. Well, maybe not completely optimized. You may have to add just one more thing: the hiking app.

Fortunately, it takes up space measured in bytes and not cubic centimeters and pounds. So, with space to spare in your phone, what are your choices? What app should you consider for your phone download.

Below is a compilation of insights on some the latest hiking apps available for your iPhone or Android smartphone.

Camping and Hiking Apps for the Apple iPod: Using the iTouch or …

If you’re not afraid of damaging the delicate iPod Touch or iPhone while enjoying the outdoors on a camping trip or multi-day hike, there are a number of useful Apps.

http://stephanie-cox.suite101.com/camping-and-hiking-apps-for-the-apple-ipod-a192805

Tripleblaze App: iPhone and Android || Camping & Hiking Blog

Tripleblaze App: iPhone and Android || camping and hiking blog post covering news and reviews around the outdoors world. From tripleblaze.com, updated daily.

http://www.tripleblaze.com/blog/2011/10/10/tripleblaze-app-iphone-and-android/

New AppGuide: Hiking Apps

Hikers may want to bring along their iPhone for the next big adventure into the wilderness. There are some fantastic hiking apps and many of them can be used offline. You may want to invest in a waterproof iPhone case if you are a …

http://appadvice.com/appnn/2011/04/appguide-hiking-apps/

Apps for hiking and biking | TrailsTV.com

Apps for your smart phone to help when you’re on the trail with hiking, biking and camping…

http://www.trailstv.com/top-10-hiking-apps/

Top 10 iPhone Hiking Apps | TheAppWhisperer

When you go for a hike nowadays you most probably will be taking your iPhone with you. To make the activity even more eventful, make sure you have one, or perhaps several of these absolutely excellent hiking apps on your …

http://theappwhisperer.com/2011/05/06/top-10-iphone-hiking-apps/

Hiking Apps « Team A.W.S.

REI posted an article that contained a list of helpful Hiking Apps. It’s funny how connected we are to our technology, even when we try to escape to the great outdoors. However, hiking apps that help you find trails and track …

http://teamaws.com/2011/08/31/hiking-apps/

Here are the“most popular” hiking apps at Amazon

Now Go Outdoors!

How are your backcountry navigation skills?

You’re on your own and about to leave the well-marked trail. Maybe to explore a lake, climb a peak, or cross a snowfield.  Do you know what natural features provide a good line of travel? Can you meld the surroundings with the map in your hand?

Well, if you’re a bit rusty or unskilled, not to worry:

Simply check-out Molly Absolon and Backpacker Magazine’s newest publication, Trailside Navigation: Map and Compass.

Trailside Navigation includes chapters on:

• Topographic Maps
• Compasses and Altimeters
• “Dividing the World”
• Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and
• Route Finding

Well-written, insightful, and informative, Trailside Navigation is a great addition to your hiking library.

Now Go Outdoors!

Ask anyone what comes to mind with a mention of “Pikes Peak”, most will respond with “hill climb”, “mountain”, “race”, “cave of the winds”, or even “suzuki escudo”. (Look it up.)

Then ask, “What’s the best way around Pike’s Peak?” ….. and just wait for an answer.

Still waiting ….

Unless you live in Colorado or you’re one of the Friends of the Peak, it’s unlikely you’ll respond with, “Ring The Peak Trail”.

When completed, the almost eighty mile hiking trail will wrap around Pikes Peak snug as new engagement ring. You can experience the newest section between FourMile Creek and HorseThief Gultch. (Gotta love Old West history.) Detailed maps are here.

If you’ve got nine minutes, there’s no better Ring The Peak hiking trail preview than this fine video from Steve Bremner

Steve starts, “On Friday, Oct 23rd [2009] I set out with great optimism …. 25 miles later in deep snow ….

Additional Ring the Peak Trail info:

USDA Forest Service Decision Memorandum

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With the tag “Get Outdoors Wherever You Are”, the National Wildlife Federation’s Get Outside page sports the nifty Nature Find tool that allows you to find outdoor events and/or sites within one to 500 miles of any U.S. location.

Using Google Maps and a database of almost 30 site types including parks, aquariums, trails, and preserves, you can easily find a local destination no matter where you are in the country.

And you can filter your search to show only sites that include activities:  NWF events, camping, water sports, snow sports, cycling, walking, and nature events …. to name a few.

Check out my crude screen capture video to get a better flavor of this “you-have-no-excuse” Nature Find.

Nature Find Video

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Hiking Trail Maps For The Oregon Coast

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has released ten hiking trails maps of their entire 382-mile Pacific coastline.

All ten hiking maps are now available in two pdf printer-friendly sizes.

Although the majority of the trails traverse public and private beaches, many hikes include state parks, forests, and county and city roadways.

Landowners provide trail easements for portions of trails on private property.

Now Go Outdoors!

Going out on an afternoon hike? Or maybe a three day walk-about?

What gear do you carry? What is your minimum pack?

Well here’s the list of ten essentials compiled by The White Mountain National Forest and New Hampshire Fish and Game as part of their  program:

• Map
• Compass
• Warm Clothing
  • Sweater or Pile Jacket
  • Long Pants (wool or synthetic)
  • Hat (wool)
• Extra Food and Water
• Flashlight or Headlamp
• Matches/Firestarters
• First Aid Kit/Repair Kit
• Whistle
• Rain/Wind Jacket & Pants
• Pocket Knife

Ok, confession time. I always carry a pocket knife. I don’t own a whistle. And I’ve never packed warm clothing while hiking in Southwest Florida. In any season.

But this is the list. And if any hike includes mountains, valleys, desert terrain … or where weather spits and spins on a dime, this should be your list.

Let us know what you carry. Your minimum and maximum. And why.

Now Go Outdoors!