Drum roll please, it’s a phone: I carry the Samsung GALAXY S24+
Phone technology has changed a lot since we started backpacking in 2000. That year Nokia was the number one phone selling 126,000,000 units. I can’t say it is the number one choice in 2026.
I now carry a phone since it has replaced so many other devices like these:
GPS & MAPS
CELESTIAL IDENTIFICATION
This is another free app. Just point your phone at the night sky and Stellarium will show you what stars, planets and constellations are in view. It is fun sitting at camp, looking at the night sky and you know what you see.
BIRD IDENTIFICATION
My review of these birding applications
BOOK, BOOKS, BOOKS
I am an avid reader. I use to carry a book backpacking, then graduated to a Kindle with a hard case (heavy). Now I read using my phone. The combination of Libby (library card for E books) and Kindle software on my phone is too easy. I reserve books using Libby and download to my phone when they are available. I always said I would never move to a Kindle since I love the feel and smell of books. Then I said I would never read on my phone, apparently never is not a very long time.
LIGHT
I carry a headlamp but this is nice backup in the tent
ALARM CLOCK
For those days when you have to get up early
CAMERA, PICTURES
I review my pics at the end of the day and delete the one’s I don’t like.
MUSIC
I love listening to music but I never listen when I am hiking. and rarely at camp. I prefer listening to nature when I am in the woods. I don’t understand why people go backpacking and then use ear buds all the time. I do listen when I am driving to and from the trailhead.
NOTES
I use to take pen and paper. Interesting note (to me anyway), I take more notes using my phone than I did with pen and paper.
On airplane mode I could probably stretch my battery to 4 days. I carry a Nitecore battery bank so I can top off the phone when needed. Here is the real test: if I had to make a choice between my phone or wine, I would take the phone.
HAPPY TRAILS, STEVE