Hiking Trip Reports :: Hiking Blog » Hiking Technology

Creole to English, English to Creole Translation for the iPhone and Android

Scott — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:14:38 +0000

A techie friend of mine spent the last week using his skills to help the people of Haiti in the best way he could. He built an App for the iPhone and the Google Android mobile operating systems that performs Creole & English language translation for iPhone and Android mobile phones. According to wiki.crisiscommons the “app is primarily intended for use by on-the-ground aid workers during the Haiti crisis, but is made freely available for anyone to use.”

If you know anyone that is going, or already in Haiti please send them this information so they can better help the people of Haiti.

Building your own Outdoor Website

Scott — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:00:09 +0000

Building your own outdoor Website isn’t really all that hard if you have a basic understanding of the Web. Here is a very basic guide to what you’ll need to get started with your own outdoor Website.

First you’ll need a domain name, like hikingtripreports.com. I prefer domain names that end in .com or .org. My favorite domain registrar is Godaddy. Godaddy is cheap and easy to use. I also like HostGator. Once you have your domain name you’ll need a place to host your site. This is where the actual files (pictures, page files, videos, etc.) will be kept and pulled from when a user visits your site. You don’t need to pay a lot for a host because there are many good cheap web hosts available. HostGator is also a great host as well as BlueHost.

Once you have your domain name and your host you’ll need a site to push to the new domain. You can create this from scratch or pay someone to do it for you. You can also use a blog, like this. I prefer WordPress for blog software. There are instructions on WordPress how to push it to your new site

Once you’ve got your site up and running you’ll just need content and images. Your site can be as small as a few pages or as large as you have the time and resources. Once you’ve completed your site send a link or two to my blog if want:)

Cell Phones in the Wild: Nuisance or Lifesaver

Scott — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 13:16:58 +0000

In the last few years there has been a lot of debate about whether or not cell phones should be used in the wild. I love my cell phone, but I don’t use it on the trail. I do, however, turn it off and stow it away deep in my pack. I do this because a cell phone can be one of the best pieces of emergency equipment you can carry.

There are some obvious downsides to having a cell phone as your emergency device. One is that you might be more careless because you believe you have an easy connection to emergency services. Another is that you may actually use it call friends and family thus degrading the outdoor experience for those around you and yourself – didn’t you come out here to disconnect and relax?

If you take your phone into the wild as an emergency device you need to keep in mind that it may not work in most wilderness locations. Even if you find a high mountain to call from you may not get a signal. Many Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile cell phones may not get strong enough reception to place a call. This is why you may want to consider a personal locator beacon.

Many personal locator beacons costs around $500 to $600 but there are alternatives like the Spot Satellite Personal Messenger that can be found for about $80. I imagine these devices will catch on as the price goes down. Think about how the Aron Ralston story would have turned out if he had a beacon with him.

Take your phone into the wild but turn it off. Don’t rely too much on it because it might not work. If you really want a lifeline get a personal locator beacon, but whatever you do don’t disturb the peace of the wild with your cell phone. Turn it off and hike!

Best Outdoor & National Park Web Cams

Scott — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:26:55 +0000

I love being outdoors but sadly I have to work. If you are like me and spend most of your free time dreaming about your next outdoor adventure you will enjoy these cams. This is a list of the best outdoor web cams for quick mental escapes.

Alaska Web Cam

This cam is from one of my favorite Websites from Alaska. This view of Kachemak Bay comes from Homer, Alaska. I fell in love with Homer, AK and even named my dog after the city. Kachemak Bay Web Cam

Yosemite Web Cams

I’m a fan of Yosemite, but that’s no secret. When I start to dream about Yosemite I visit these Web cams compliments of the Yosemite Association. My favorite cam is the Sentinel Dome Cam. Yosemite Cams

Glacier National Park Web Cams

Glacier National Park has one of the best NPS Websites with podcasts, virtual hikes, and other interactive Web 2.0 style goodies like their first class web cams. Glacier Cams

Yellowstone National Park Web Cams

Yellowstone National Park has graciously provided the world a view of Old Faithful. You can view this page to find out when the next eruption will take place so that you can view this geological marvel from the comfort of your PC screen. Yellowstone Cams

Rocky Mountain Web Cam

Check out the weather on Longs Peak from this feed from the Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountains Cam

Smokey Mountain Web Cam

Enjoy this live view of the Smokey Mountains from a wedding chapel in Gatlinburg, TN. Gatlinburg is a fun place to take a break after a few days of hiking the Smokies. Smokey Mountains Cam

Grand Canyon Web Cam

The Grand Canyon is a breathtaking experience that can’t be described with videos, pictures, or stories; but this clear cam sure tries. View the cam and then plan your trip to the Grand Canyon. Don’t die without seeing it. Grand Canyon Cam

If you have a favorite streaming video you would like to share send it for others to enjoy. – geckotales @ gmail.com