Packing heavy guide book?

[johnnyo979]

The guide book weighs nearly a pound. Are you guys taking it along or are you finding lighter ways to transport that kind of valuable information?

[johnnyo979]

I will be attempting a thru hike. Nobo.

[oldmanonthetrail]

I added a 32 gb card to my phone and downloaded it off kindle

[johnnyo979]

Do you mean the GPS card to the Arizona Trail? Oldmanonthetrail.

[cavaroc]

I think he means just downloading a digital version to pull up on his phone. I have the guidebook as a resource, but I also digitized it to do the same thing.

[oldmanonthetrail]

Yes Sorry Johnny I ordered the digital version and downloaded it to my phone via kindle reader I also have several books and the guthook app for AZT .All you need to do is buy a memory card for your phone $15 and you can store tons of stuff.As long as your charging needs are met which you spoke about in another thread (solar power) or battery's? The 18 oz. weight cost of the solar panel pays off for me because all my electronics are charged by u.s.b. from the panel .So no battery's books or g.p.s.
and I can use my phone as much as I need to

[johnnyo979]

In regards to the phones. I only use old school phones, no smart phones. I see what smart phones do to people's lives. Constantly facebooking, for example, and I am not open minded to getting one just yet. I have, however, made a commitment to get the Iphone 8 when it finally comes out.

[jonathanpatt]

A smartphone is a tool like any other, and it can (and often is) abused in ways that negatively affect the user, but they don't have to be. I finally got one last year, as it enables me to have many functions in one relatively small and light device when backpacking—it's a communication device, navigation device, reading device, and camera. I don't use Facebook, Twitter or other social media services (at all), so my phone doesn't eat away at my life. But it can be a valid choice to avoid smartphones as well, and I respect your decision to do so.

You could also consider a dedicated Kindle device—if it on its own was lighter than the guidebook, you'd already be winning, plus you could take other reading material with you as well for no additional weight gain.

[The_Dude]

Smartphones only take as much of your life as you let them. I have had one of some sort for five years now, and I have still never used the Facebook app...plus if you have never had one before, you might as well get an older form that will still work great and come in at significantly cheaper. Route Scout is a tool like no other.