Much like everything in life, technology has changed the way we experience recreational activities. From hiking and camping to fishing and hunting, there are now a variety of ways that technology can enhance our time spent in the great outdoors.
No matter what it is that you enjoy spending your time doing, there’s almost certainly some piece of technology that can help you do it better – whether that’s by making it easier for you or simply improving the quality of your experience.
Here are some of the best ways to use technology to improve your favourite outdoor recreational activities.
Navigation And Mapping
Whether you’re hiking in the mountains or exploring a new city, having a reliable navigation and mapping application can make all the difference. Apps like Google Maps and Apple Maps provide detailed maps and turn-by-turn directions that can help you find your way even in the most remote locations. Gaia GPS, on the other hand, is an excellent tool to use to follow trails while hiking, as it’s super accurate and easy to use.
Best of all, many of these types of apps, including the three mentioned above, allow you to download maps offline so that you can still use them when you’re in an area with poor service.
Fitness Tracking
If you’re into outdoor activities like hiking, running (either road or trail) or biking, a fitness tracking app can help you progress and set new goals. One of these apps used in conjunction with a fitness device, such as a smartwatch, will allow you to track everything you do and check out some of your activity statistics – for instance, if you’re running, the distance you’ve covered, your pace, your elevation gain and so on.
Apps like Strava, Endomondo and MapMyRun allow you to track your distance, speed and calories burned, and they also allow you to compete against your friends. Some even provide audio feedback while you’re exercising, giving you real-time updates on your progress and helping you improve your performance.
Fishing
Fishing is another recreational activity that has been revolutionised by technology, with a variety of apps and devices now available to help you find the best fishing spots and track your catches.
Fishbrain is a popular app for anglers that allows you to log your catches, view detailed maps of fishing hotspots and get advice from other fishing enthusiasts.
Other apps like Tides4fishing and Fishtrack give you real-time information about tide times and weather conditions to help you plan your fishing trips.
Wildlife Photography
Using advanced technology to capture memories of your outdoor adventure and also to capture rare wild animals is a popular pastime among many nature enthusiasts. With cameras and lenses getting increasingly advanced and sophisticated, it’s now easier than ever to take stunning photographs of wildlife.
There is also an app for everything, from playing casino games at Grand Rush to making your wildlife photos look even more professional. An app like Snapseed lets you edit your photos and add filters, transforming them from ordinary to extraordinary and highlighting and enhancing their best features.
