Mobile Technologies

I wrote a paper for HF arguing that we should be making better use of Mobile Technologies and I have been asked to run a workshop at the two Abroad Leader Conferences. I have done one of these and the other is this weekend. I end up giving the talk four times at each conference so that we can share other ideas in small groups.

It seems to me that not only are there lot's of great apps and internet resources out there nowadays, but also that the subject is really interesting in its own right and that the people coming on our walks can reasonably expect us to be clued up.

Of course, you need to mind your battery power or you may not have a phone for emergencies. Perhaps the best idea is to carry a cheap phone with you as well - just in case!

Navigation and Route Planning

There are some brilliant navigation and route planning resources available from the internet now. These are no substitute for Map and Compass but are a very useful additional tool. e.g.

Ordnance Survey

Open Street Map (Online and as an App inc. Windows Phone e.g. with MapFactor Navigator))

Google Earth / Google Maps / Satellite View / Street View

Freizeitkarte: These are based on OpenStreet Map and allow you to import them into Garmin or Android devices

Komoot is another GPS Mapping tool available online, for Android and for iPhone (https://en.komoot.de)

ViewRanger

Fitness/Activity Trackers

So many people are into fitness and activity trackers these days and they allow you to analyse sleep patterns, steps taken, height climbed, heart rate and much more. It’s great to compare graphs after a walk. e.g.

Fitbit, Apple Watch, Garmin, Moov, TomTom, Xiaomi, Goji, Samsung, Misfit

Apps

Loads of brilliant mobile phone apps are now available to help you enjoy the outdoors. Here are my favourites:

Flora and Fauna

Alpine Flower Finder - Europe
Mountain Flora and Fauna
Wild Flower Id
Bird Song ID
Birds of Britain
Lichens

Earth, Sky and Weather

ViewRanger (Skyline) or Peakscanner
iGeology/iGeology 3D
Star Chart
Mountain Weather UK
AccuWeather
YR (Norwegian Weather Service)

Emergencies and Translation

Most of these allow you to call for help and include GPS Location e.g. Hilfe Notfall App – Tyrol / Swiss Help Emergency Call / Alpify (Spain and Other places)

UEPAA! is an interesting development that we may see more of in the future but I think you need to mind your battery power!

First Aid e.g. Red Cross First Aid App / Wilderness First Aid

Collins Language Dictionaries. So much easier than carrying a book that weighs about 1kg.

Word Lens / Google Translate - Translates by using a photo. Really Cool!