Doing the trail(s) with the least amount of audio/video technology

[Different Socks]

This question came into my head yesterday: When I did the trail back in 1992, 75% of my fellow hikers were aghast at the fact I carried a small radio to listen to when I was on any trail. After a 3ft blizzard hit the Smokies(while many of us were on that section of trail), it was funny to me that many of the naysayers went out and purchased a small radio to carry as well--Guess 3ft of snow can alter your ideas of what is ok and what is not.

So here is my question: Today's generation grew up with IPODs, pocket digital cameras, portable SAT radio, PLB's. Is there anyone out there that still gets by with just a small radio(or none) and a camera? Does anyone not carry any kind of electronics when hiking? What is the least you would carry? If you could take only one, what would it be?
Note: Devices that perform more than one function is OK.

Myself? I still carry just a camera and some source of music--no phone, don't need it in most places, plus I simply don't own one.

[Blissful]

MP3 player (which has an fm radio) cell phone and camera.

[CowHead]

I like listening to the woods I hike with nothing except those little voices in my head left foot right foot, darn I hate nats,

[Phreak]

I like listening to the woods I hike with nothing except those little voices in my head left foot right foot
Winner winner chicken dinner!

[fiddlehead]

Having hiked both with and without a camera, and seeing how small they can be anymore, I think a camera is the most important thing.
Phones: only if you absolutely need them for work.
Radios: Not for me. I don't wanna know what's going on.
Silence is golden.

[ClassY]

Only a camera for me.
Non of that other nonsense!


~ClassY

[starman1210]

I didn't see very many radios last year; just cell phones and cameras.

[garlic08]

The only thing remotely related to electronics I carry is an LED headlamp. I like technology, but I also like leaving it behind on the trail.

There's nothing I love more than to get away from the phone.

I started my first thru hike in the desert on the PCT with a radio. I walked right past a rattler, inches away--didn't hear it. I sent the radio home and have never carried one since.

I have a couple of boxes filled with thousands of photos of friends and me in the woods, in the snow, on summits, at lakes...after a few decades, they all pretty much look the same. I don't really need any more.

I check out weather reports in town, get on line and check emails, update the journal, read the newspaper maybe, but that just repeats itself after 90 days or so.

[Roughin' It]

On my hike the 3 people I was with all of the time all had ipods, and listened to them frequently. It was always tempting to have mine sent to me, but in the end I'm glad I didn't. No ipod, no radio, just a camera. Plus, after you get home, you can lay in your room and blast glorious music for 9 hours and it will make it all better.

[The Cleaner]

I remember when the Walkman came out and I carried a knock-off type FM radio,headphones only.This was early 80's and did listen to some music while walking sometimes.Well fast foward to the present and I have the Sangean DT-400W.It is about the size of a cigarette pack and weighs only a few ounces.The best feature is the NOAA weather band.It has a headphone jack or use the small speaker.I usually just listen to some NPR news but the weather band is great.When I have been at some shelters many other hikers were glad to get a weather update.Seems like some go the IPOD nano route but I don't use anything while hiking anymore.Anyway with most Thru's hitting a town every 4-5 days,they get their news/weather there and find no need for any such device.I think it's something that is not required but very useful.

[The Cleaner]

I remember when the Walkman came out and I carried a knock-off type FM radio,headphones only.This was early 80's and did listen to some music while walking sometimes.Well fast foward to the present and I have the Sangean DT-400W.It is about the size of a cigarette pack and weighs only a few ounces.The best feature is the NOAA weather band.It has a headphone jack or use the small speaker.I usually just listen to some NPR news but the weather band is great.When I have been at some shelters many other hikers were glad to get a weather update.Seems like some go the IPOD nano route but I don't use anything while hiking anymore.Anyway with most Thru's hitting a town every 4-5 days,they get their news/weather there and find no need for any such device.I think it's something that is not required but very useful. Forgot to say I do carry my Canon Powershot so I can share pics here&FB.I take my Iphone but it is for calling for rides or ICE only....

[takethisbread]

i carry a Iphone. Its a phone, camera, internet, radio, i pod all in one. i dont carry another camera. i do carry a charger

[Hobbler]

The main reason to go into the woods is to be in the woods....

Take only pictures....Leave only footprints!

[Tenderheart]

I carry no electronics whatsoever, not even a camera. The last thing I need is another photo album full of pictures that nobody cares about.

litefoot 2000

[The Cleaner]

i carry a Iphone. Its a phone, camera, internet, radio, i pod all in one. i dont carry another camera. i do carry a charger
As for the Iphone camera, I can only use it for close-ups .Seems like it does not take vista shots or zoom pics without looking fuzzy.Is there a photo App to aid in better long distance shots?Another problem w/Iphone is very little signal recption along much of the trail,any fix for that?Something like a tin foil hat for example:eek:

[LDog]

This question came into my head yesterday: When I did the trail back in 1992, 75% of my fellow hikers were aghast at the fact I carried a small radio to listen to when I was on any trail.

In 92, few of use were posting to Facebook, uploading pics to online albums, maintaining blogs in '92 ... These new technologies have changed significantly how a lot of us communicate with our friends and fambly.

My mind is currently a battlefield between my inner geek who loves all this stuff, and my inner curmudgeon who has hip issues, bad knees, is old, outta shape, cheap, and generally enjoys a simplified life.

I have a Panasonic Lumix camera which all three of us love for it's excellent image quality and wide-range telephoto lens. I'll be taking that along with a bunch of memory cards. Of course, it has a dedicated charger ... The curmudgeon doesn't like that much.

Mary and I both have the new tiny iPod Nanos, and plan on bringing them. Along with a charger ... We both have Kindles and plan on bringing them, with a charger ... Then we have headlamps which use AAAs. Be nice to use rechargables for them ... I want to geocache along the way and the geek's been looking at a Garmen Foretrex 301 which uses AAAs ...

All these chargers weigh in at almost 12 ozs of stuff I'd only use in town. Add in the weight of extra charged batteries and it gets to be over a pound. And that doesn't include the stuff they power!

Then, my geek self got all wrapped around the axle thinking about how to keep all these devices charged between town visits. Solar? nPeg? Brunton power pack? Bah! Even more technical complexity and weight ...

The Geek wants to be able to update Trail Journal, Facebook, and a blog on a regular basis (every night), and has looked at the iPhone and the new Samsung tablet. The Curmudgeon just ordered a three-pack of Moleskine plain Cahier journals with the kraft cardboard covers because "they're a lot lighter, the extra ones can go inna bounce box, and they don't require yet another #$%^ charger!"

While it may seem the curmudgeon has won this round, the Geek notes that I'm eligible for the "new every two" Verizon scam in August, and my current cell phone is pretty much a POS ...

No doubt I will be over-thinking this to death over the next several months! (The Geek is obsessive/compulsive like that). Right now, the Curmudgeon is winning out with his idea of my current cell phone (turned off and stowed in the pack), hand-written journals, and my camera ...

... We'll see

[Country Roads]

The way Earl Shaffer did it: Camera only.

[Blissful]

Honestly who gives a rat's behind what you bring, so long as you want to carry it and its for your personal use.

It's your hike no one elses. No matter what all the assorted naysayers on here are saying

[XCskiNYC]

I remember when the Walkman came out and I carried a knock-off type FM radio,headphones only.This was early 80's and did listen to some music while walking sometimes.Well fast foward to the present and I have the Sangean DT-400W.It is about the size of a cigarette pack and weighs only a few ounces.The best feature is the NOAA weather band.It has a headphone jack or use the small speaker.I usually just listen to some NPR news but the weather band is great.When I have been at some shelters many other hikers were glad to get a weather update.Seems like some go the IPOD nano route but I don't use anything while hiking anymore.Anyway with most Thru's hitting a town every 4-5 days,they get their news/weather there and find no need for any such device.I think it's something that is not required but very useful.

That DT-400W looks like a nice radio. A speaker is more relaxing than headphones when you're falling asleep although earbuds aren't bad. Weather band is definitely handy.

I like the Sony SRF-M37W which runs on a single AAA (keeping weight down, though it may go through these quickly) and also has weather band. This radio is very small and has an armband so you can use it as a sports radio. No speaker; just a headphone jack.

Lately I've been taking a Coby CX-90 which is a nice, light, compact digital-tuning AM/FM radio with headphone jack only. It runs on two AAA's. You can get it from J&R for $15. Reception is surprisingly good.

I also take along an old Nokia 2600 candybar phone and an extra battery for the phone. With the google SMS search-by-text message feature you can get weather reports and forecasts with your cellphone. Well, if you have an iphone or similar I suppose you could get weather maps, radar images, the whole NOAA site.

The iphone still doesn't grab me. The idea of something that you have to keep charging and worrying about running down the battery before you can get your next charge doesn't appeal to me. For the foreseeable future I'm going to stick with devices that run on disposable batteries which you can buy anywhere. Obviously my cell phone is an exception to that rule but it charges quite rapidly (dead empty to full in maybe a half an hour). Not sure how long an iphone takes to juice up.

[takethisbread]

As for the Iphone camera, I can only use it for close-ups .Seems like it does not take vista shots or zoom pics without looking fuzzy.Is there a photo App to aid in better long distance shots?Another problem w/Iphone is very little signal recption along much of the trail,any fix for that?Something like a tin foil hat for example:eek:

They have Verizon iPhone now, which should improve reception. iPhone 4 camera is really good IMO and there is quite a few apps, that help with pic taking. I don't take too many vista shots, anyhow. I prefer people. Vistas I take notes and grab a pic off Flickr! There are real photographers out there. :banana

[fredmugs]

I carry no electronics whatsoever, not even a camera. The last thing I need is another photo album full of pictures that nobody cares about.

litefoot 2000

My pics are in high demand. Lots of people hike the trail vacariously through me.

I also bring an MP3 player for the big climbs.

[10-K]

They have Verizon iPhone now, which should improve reception. iPhone 4 camera is really good IMO and there is quite a few apps, that help with pic taking. I don't take too many vista shots, anyhow. I prefer people. Vistas I take notes and grab a pic off Flickr! There are real photographers out there. :banana

I would seriously consider an iphone but for 2 reasons...

1. Short battery life and inability to swap out batteries

2. If you can drop it, get it wet, or get it very dirty - I most certainly will at some point.. That's why I carry a G'zone Boulder and a waterproof/shockproof camera now. :)

[K-3]

I'll be carrying my G'zone Boulder ruggedized cell phone, a Sony cybershot camera, my Garmin Dakota GPS, and a Eton emergency weather radio. The cell phone will be off except at night and only on long enough to let family and friends know I'm alive via status update on Facebook and to check voice mails. Phone also doubles as music player if I need to hear some uplifting tunes but I only will use it in camp and out of earshot of others so that I don't disturb them. The camera may or may not last depending on how much use it gets. I may end up sending it home at some point and just using the camera built into the cell phone. The emergency weather radio has a built in gyro and solar cells which I can use to recharge my phone. The GPS will remain off most of the time but its a space saver in lieu of having paper maps and has a "breadcrumbs" feature that may come in handy if I forget where I hung my bear bag (its happened before).

For me, its all about hiking your own hike. Its nice to be away but I still like to be connected to the outside world - at least to a small degree.

[The Solemates]

This question came into my head yesterday: When I did the trail back in 1992, 75% of my fellow hikers were aghast at the fact I carried a small radio to listen to when I was on any trail. After a 3ft blizzard hit the Smokies(while many of us were on that section of trail), it was funny to me that many of the naysayers went out and purchased a small radio to carry as well--Guess 3ft of snow can alter your ideas of what is ok and what is not.

So here is my question: Today's generation grew up with IPODs, pocket digital cameras, portable SAT radio, PLB's. Is there anyone out there that still gets by with just a small radio(or none) and a camera? Does anyone not carry any kind of electronics when hiking? What is the least you would carry? If you could take only one, what would it be?
Note: Devices that perform more than one function is OK.

Myself? I still carry just a camera and some source of music--no phone, don't need it in most places, plus I simply don't own one.


on our thru in 2004 the only technology we had was a non-digital camera.

even today on many of our hikes, we take nothing. no cell phone, no ipod, no camera. in fact, I've never hiked with an ipod, and hike without a cell phone 95% of the time. the only reason i hike without a camera is if I am solo. we only have 1 camera in the family and I usually dont want to steal it from the wife. she likes to have it for the kids.

[Tinker]

I carry a camera (for memories) and a cell phone. I don't need musical entertainment, and I get a general idea of what the weather will be when I stop in town.
Oh - the music - sometimes I bring a guitar and make my own. My Ipod is in my head. ;)

[Sassafras Lass]

Is there anyone out there that still gets by with just a small radio(or none) and a camera?


Yup.

DH and I are both 27 - we don't own a cell phone, have no plans to ever get one. All we're bringing on our thru this year is my camera.

Our friends get frustrated b/c they "can't get ahold of us" - well goodness, what did people do 10 years ago? Use a house phone? How ghastly! :rolleyes:

[RockDoc]

I carry a camera, but it's not electronic.

I no longer have a cell phone.

Definitely no wires in my ears, gps, or other gizmos.

I'm glad to hear a few others get down to basics in the wilds, but it doesn't bother me if you like to carry electronics either. Have fun!

[Harrison Bergeron]

I always carry my Archos43 internet tablet. Weighs half a paperback and fits in my shirt pocket, but contains my ENTIRE classic rock CD collection, plus a book, hiking log, topo map of the entire US, camera, games, and (if I'm near wifi, email and a web browser . The only thing it's missing is a phone, but the battery lasts longer than a smart phone, so I carry both.

I'd be tempted to get a smart phone for the AT, to save 3 ounces, but I'm in a t-mobile contract and t-mobile coverage is not so good there. So I'll probably get a prepaid Verizon phone. They've got one that weighs 3 oz for $20 and you only pay for the days you use.

Maybe there's so much company on the AT that you don't need entertainment, but chirping birds and sighing pines aren't enough to keep me entertained on any other trail once I've quit hiking for the day. If I didn't have my Archos, it would be a book that weighed even more, so why not?

Just because I love nature doesn't mean I have to hate technology. My pack, tent, sleep system, stove, underwear, boots, jacket, poles, and everything else I'm carrying would like spaceman gear to Lewis and Clark.

Why draw the line at electronics?

[RWBlue]

You will probably see me on the trail with a D7000 Nikon 28-300mm lens, GPS, and two smart phones, but then again I will only be on the trail on the weekends and the Gov. likes to know where I am.

It I were thru hiking, I would seriously consider a smart phone with spare battery. The new ones have a decent camera, texting, spare battery, internet, and if you must Mp3s.

[RWBlue]

My only question for those techy people, have you found a solar charger that is light enough and powerful enough?

[sbhikes]

A long time ago I tried walking with headphones on and was afraid of being attacked from behind. I doubt that would happen on the trail, but I didn't like that feeling so I never got used to headphones.

I like to carry a camera and a phone. The phone is for outgoing calls and it's not a smart phone or a satellite phone and I really don't care if I get reception. In fact, I like it when I don't.

The best part of my solo hike was the solitude and being completely 100% present every moment. Hearing the sounds, remembering every inch of the trail. That's what I wanted out of my hike. Others may want something different and that's okay, but it's not for me.

[Leanthree]

It is interesting that there is an aversion among many to electronic technology on the trail but no aversion to any other technology.

A waterproof, breathable rain jacket requires more advanced technology than an am/fm radio.

[garlic08]

It is interesting that there is an aversion among many to electronic technology on the trail but no aversion to any other technology.

A waterproof, breathable rain jacket requires more advanced technology than an am/fm radio.

And those, like me, who prefer not to use electronics on the trail are obviously using the internet on a PC off the trail.

I don't think it's a matter of being "averse to technology" or "naysayers". I don't think anyone in this thread has said that tech is bad in itself or that someone shouldn't use it.

For some it's a matter of seeking "balance" in our lives. I get so tired of telephones and email, it's nice to leave them behind. That's the whole reason I go hiking. Obviously, others are out there for different reasons and that's OK.

Conversely, while living under a roof, there's no need for technology like breathable membrane garments, or titanium alloy tent stakes, but it's pretty cool to use them correctly in a different environment. And then, after a few months away, it's pretty cool to come back to the internet and telephones and radios and such. It's just about one's personal sense of balance, nothing more.

Some hikers who eschew tech on the trail, though, truly do live a low-tech life and you'll never hear from them on the internet. I'm not one of them but I do admire them. Heck, come to think of it, some people even gear up their technology for hiking, and buy a GPS, a personal locator satellite beacon, a cell phone or sat phone, iPod--stuff they didn't have before.

By the way, I believe miniaturized and programmed solid-state electronic devices with portable power sources requires more "technology" than a fabric membrane, but your point is taken.

[sbhikes]

I don't see a need to be entertained every minute, either. It was quite a relief to at times have absolutely nothing to do. One thing we're not very good at in this culture is doing nothing.

[XCskiNYC]

As for the Iphone camera, I can only use it for close-ups .Seems like it does not take vista shots or zoom pics without looking fuzzy.Is there a photo App to aid in better long distance shots?Another problem w/Iphone is very little signal recption along much of the trail,any fix for that?Something like a tin foil hat for example:eek:


The coverage will likely improve once Verizon gets into the iphone game.

[skooch]

I hope I don't have to listen to someone elses taste in music or news. I was kind of hoping to rest my brain while hiking. My brain is a busy place so to me the trail is a respite. In town anything goes.
Bringing phone for rides and town. A camera is a must for me. I'm getting pressured from all sides to bring a SPOT

[PennyPincher]

Hmmmm.. soloing for the first time next weekend. I know the hubby will want a "check in" each night to know I am on track and doing fine. I guess I will be bringing the cell phone but I will turn it off until I am ready to text. Don't want to have a converstaion on a phone in the middle of the woods. I want to get away from that stuff. If I owned a small digital camera and wanted to take photos I guess I would consider bringing it for a longer trek. I used to carry a small weather radio to get the forecast each night if I was concerned and I was out for more than 2 or 3 days.

[Celeste]

For as much as technology drives me nuts and the fact that I get off on unplugging and not being around it, when I break down what I'll be taking on my long section hike spring of 2012 it seems like a lot. At least it's all practical (to my personal existence anyway!)

An mp3 player, because music is so important to me (though honestly I won't be listening to it much), my e-reader Nook, because reading is also incredibly important to me. I used to think e-readers were the devil, but then the practicality of having hundreds of books with no extra weight in my pack for hiking was too enticing. Doubt I'll use it a whole lot, just for still days or exceptionally bad weather. I'm taking my cell phone only for emergencies and checking in with the boyfriend, and then I'm taking some of my photography equipment because that's my trade and part of the reason I'm going. Blahh, seems like a lot.

[hikemikehike]

+1 well said


Honestly who gives a rat's behind what you bring, so long as you want to carry it and its for your personal use.

It's your hike no one elses. No matter what all the assorted naysayers on here are saying

[Rockhound]

Although I did carry a camera this time that was given to me as I headed out the door, the only thing I generally carry is a Virgin Mobile cellphone that I only ever use in town. (If I can get a signal)