Connectology
In the most recent PCTA Communicator magazine there is an article entitled ‘Technology and the Trail’. You will find several pictures of hikers on cell phones, taking selfies, and generally ‘checking in’ on social media, calling home, etc. I recently completed a section of the PCT and expanded my use of technology while on the trail. On a PCT section-hike the year before I brought along a solar charger for my cell phone. My intent was to have my phone charged and ready at the end of my hike and to have it available in the worst case at any time. The charger did what it was meant to do and happily there was no ‘worst case’.
A year later I had upgraded my phone and decided I could use it as a phone, camera, and GPS device. Previously, the pictures from my older phone were okay but not as memorable as the images imprinted in my memory. With an updated device I figured that the quality could only go up. I didn’t have a big need to make a lot of calls but because I was meeting a couple of hiking partners along the way, knew a call or text was likely going to be necessary. Finally, I also decided to download the Half Mile app before I set out. I had printed the maps and had used the printed versions in the past and found them to work well. Now that I had the app available I would really know where I was at any given moment.
Just before leaving home a friend encouraged me to bring along his SPOT device. My friend ‘Lady’ refers to hers as a ‘corpse finder’...I prefer to think of it a bit differently. I figured I would send a position message about every other day hopefully remaining alive all the while.
Here’s my reflection on increasing the use of technology on my hike. There is no question that having access to a camera, phone, and GPS all in one device was convenient. I didn’t think I would access Half Mile’s app as I was carrying the paper maps. Much to my surprise, checking the app proved helpful on several occasions. For example, night hiking the aqueduct I missed a turn. I likely would have found the route without the app but it was immediately reassuring when I saw where I was in relation to where I needed to be, especially in the dark. I still used the paper maps and found them to be valuable for landmarks, etc.
The camera on my phone was/is an improvement over my previous phone. I still am not overly thrilled with the photos. This may have more to do with the photographer and less with the camera. Despite that, the panoramic and video features were nice to access and I/we used them a few times.
Having the phone along with some better cell service in this section (Cajon-Walker Pass) dangled a techno carrot at me. I could call home, check or send a text if I wanted. In fact, I even ordered some replacement shoes along the way. Knowing I had that flat brick in my pocket afforded me some choices I did not have in the past and frankly didn’t think I would make so much this time. Nevertheless, I talked to my wife more than once, ordered some shoes, and texted people off the trail pretty much at will.Thanks to my solar charger I didn’t worry about battery life.
This was all a luxury but with what cost? At times I felt some conflict between being where I was and connecting to somewhere else. Was I really focusing on the here and now when I could easily reach out to family and friends? That focus has always been a source of satisfaction for me wherever I hike.
The SPOT thankfully did not turn out to find me anything but alive and did let a few friends and family know that I/we were, in fact, progressing toward our goal. That was very low impact and generally was nearly as passive as my solar charger.
Having technology does have an impact both positive and negative. For example with mapping apps like Half Mile or Guthook’s there tend to be more people showing up and using the same campsites.People are more connected to where others are and therefore there may be more clustering of hikers along the trail.
People appear to be more connected to both the ‘wilderness’ and their many other ‘nesses’. These include homeness, familyness, friendness, socialness, and maybe this connects to the biggest ness; happiness. That could be the greatest benefit of all, if having the access to technology makes one connect to their happiness. That is a pretty big ‘if’ but not out of the question.
Certainly the PCT is a multi-generational environment/ society. There are grade schoolers along with retirees and everyone in between walking the trail. The so called ‘millennials’ approach the trail through their lens of experience and my boomer group approach it through a similar but different lens. Despite all those points of view we are seeking experiences in nature. Whether or not technology helps or hinders what we are all seeking remains to be seen and heard completely. This will undoubtedly be a source of great debate, i.e. is it better to hear the birds or hear that music coming through your earbuds? Total tech, some tech, low tech, or no tech?
Where are you and the use of technology on the trail? We would like to hear from you at -- [email protected]
Maybe you have a additional reflections, views, or counterpoints. Share them with us and we will likely post them for others who view this site. Use technology to talk to us and others about technology, your thoughts are all welcome.