My previous post covered the SPOT GPS Locator which I believe is a critical piece of hiking equipment, especially for the solo hiker.  I had it with me on a hike to Steamboat Peak in a remote part of Montana last fall. While I was near the halfway point of 14 mile hike, I took a break to take some pictures and get some water. I apparently didn’t realize the SPOT became dislodged from my backpack until it was too late and all I could do was watch the device fall a few hundred feet off the cliff.

I figured it was gone for good as it seemed that it was too difficult to get down to grab it and get back to the car before sunset. Upset with myself, I made my way back and ended up buying another device a week or two later.

About a week later, I received a call on my cell phone from SPOT  representatives who informed me that a hiker not only found my device, but called the company to see if he could locate the owner.

As you can imagine, I was surprised that not only did someone find the SPOT, but that he was nice enough to take the time to call the company and then mail the unit to me. I have had a few nice conversations with the fellow hiker and plan to take him out for a beer next time I visit Montana. It’s kind of sad that the hiker’s act was so surprising, isn’t it?

Those of you who know me have most likely heard me rave about my SPOT GPS Locator. As a solo hiker, I believe this device is an absolute life saver. If you are unfamiliar with the device, it basically is a satellite messenger and GPS tracker that allows:

-You to send pre-developed “ok” and ‘check in” messages friends and family or even rescue specialists/local authorities if you get stuck in a bad situation.
-Friends and family to track your location when you are boating, hiking, flying, etc.
-You to keep track of your travels and share them with others.

The SPOT is small and lightweight and the batteries will last for quite a while (up to 7 days), even with active tracking on. As long as you keep the device pointing upward and have a relatively clear view of the sky, you will be in good shape. The device itself costs roughly $150 and annual service plans will run from $50-100+ depending on the options you choose.

I won’t go on any kayak trip, offroad journey or hike without it.

Mt. Ajo, AZ

Recently finished a hike up Mount Ajo in Organ Pipe National Monument just north of the border of Mexico in Arizona. I had been looking forward to this hike/climb for a while and was completely prepared for the 7.5 hour trek. Or so I thought.

The trip was pretty brutal and the loose, sharp rock and rugged terrain absolutely shredded the tread on my Merrell Outbound hiking boots. This was particularly surprising and disappointing because these boots were extremely comfortable, only 6 months old and had less than 130 miles on them (through Montana, Utah, Georgia and California). I finished the hike with relative ease, but the boots were done. This didn’t seem right — and a call to Merrell confirmed it.

Based on the recommendation from the Merrel rep,  I spoke to store associates at REI when back in Atlanta. After a quick look at the boots, a customer service rep took them back and offered me a refund and the 20% off coupon I had used to purchase them originally. Minutes later, I had another pair of boots and paid very little out of pocket. I really realized the value of being an REI member and spending a little more to purchase from them. Don’t know many retailers that would make the return process so easy.

While I still like Merrell products and stand by the boots I had, I decided to go for a pair of Asolo Flame GTX hiking boots. The brand and model had great reviews and seemed very supportive and sturdy.

Tried them out for the first time on an 8 mile hike up Blood Mountain in northern Georgia. Didn’t require much break in at all and held up to the mix of ice, mud, water and rock that I encountered.

We’ll see how long they hold up.

Since day one, my iPad has been a constant companion — at work, on the plane, in the car and even on hikes. It’s relatively small size and light weight makes it an ideal addition to a pack for a number of reasons.

The device allows a hiker to:

1. Store and view PDFs of the trail and location guides, maps and topography charts (I use Trails.com)
2. Access first aid and survival books through iBooks or the Kindle app
3. View weather data and forecasts if 3G signal is available (I’ve been surprised where I can pick it up)
4. Play music or games or read almost any book (especially useful as a solo hiker)

The most important features to me are the first two, but I can see a lot of value in having the device for other reasons, especially on overnight trips. I have tried the same with an iPhone, but the larger screen of the iPad has its distinct advantages. I doubt I will ever see a lot of hikers take the iPad with them, but for me, it has been a valuable tool to ensure I stay safe.