Take a Hike! iPhone and iPad Apps and Accessories for the Great Outdoors
August 6, 2012
Now that your iPhone and iPad are packed with all of your favorite apps, nobody really expects you to travel without them, even if you’re planning on “roughing it” through a hiking or camping trip into the woods. So we’ve rounded up some great hiking-related apps and accessories for taking with you on your next outdoor excursion.
Spyglass ($3.99) – Know everything about your current place on the planet by keeping a copy of the Spyglass compass/GPS app on your device. It’ll not only tell you where you are and which direction you’re pointed, but will allow you to tag objects and locations (like your car, campsite, and favorite lookout spot) for real-time tracking and distance calculation. There is a nearly identical free version, though it’s stripped of the wow-inducing augmented reality features which will overlay data on top of a live feed from your phone’s camera.
Flashlight (Free) – If something goes wrong with your real flashlight and you find yourself stuck in the dark, there’s always the Flashlight for your iPhone. This simple free app turns the flash on the back of your phone into a constant light, and lets you tap out flashes for morse code communication if you need to.
EveryTrail (Free) – Not every travel enthusiast gets to publish a book of their favorite places and sights. For those who explore just for the fun of it, there is the EveryTrail online community, complete with its own app. Turn it on to track your next hike and geo-tag your photos, then upload the result for sharing online. If you’re not looking to cut your own path just yet, search through tons of trips generated by other users and take one on for yourself.
Army Survival ($2.99) – Pulled from the “Survival” section of the U.S. Army Field Manual, the Army Survival app includes all of the best knowledge taught to every U.S. Army soldier before they’re sent out into the wilderness. Tips on basic first aid, water procurement, and shelter construction are among the many useful bits that you should have on hand in case of the worst.
BioLite CampStove ($129) – Once the sun has set and you’ve used up all your device’s juice, the BioLite CampStove steps in to do two jobs at once. This small wood stove will convert kindling into electricity via thermoelectric technology, while producing enough heat to warm your hands or cook a meal over. Just toss some twigs in and fire it up; the resulting heat powers a USB port for charging your iPad or iPhone and a stove top flame for replenishing your stomach.
Alexei Bochenek is a lifelong tech nerd & film buff based in Los Angeles. When he’s not playing with his phone, it’s because the movie has started. Shhhhh!
