I'm an engineer.
If you know or love one, that's probably enough said. :-)
If not, suffice it to say I love electronic gadgets and can't get enough. My wife? Not so much... Therefore, I'm taking on the role of tech adviser for Liz and Melinda's excellent adventure.
We've come a long way from the time when being in the wilderness meant being cut off from civilization. Walkie Talkies, Handheld HAM radios, cell phones plus satellite communicators and phones are all available to help you stay in touch. But people who enjoy through hiking don't generally do it as a social exercise. It's about being self sufficient, strong, smart and resourceful enough to persevere through months on the trail. People who are good at that tend to be individualists and nature lovers who probably don't want a magnificent sunset vista on a remote mountaintop ruined by a squawking "you've got mail!" alert from some electronic device.
Some also say that use of tech on the trail might lead folks to make unwise decisions, fording a torrent or crossing a slippery slope that they might otherwise avoid if they didn't have a helicopter on speed dial. The trouble with relying on a rescue is that if there's a cliff at the bottom of that slope, the helicopter will only be able to pick up the pieces.
However, I think most people who would even consider a trip like this have the outdoor skills and good judgment to use tech appropriately. And the peace of mind that it can give participants and their families can't be underestimated.
After a lot of research, I suggested that L & M each take a smart phone and together take one satellite communicator. Of course these gadgets need juice, so an efficient solar charger with a USB connector is also required.
Stay tuned for future posts about my current thinking on the right devices and how I decided on them.
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