Tech on the Trail

Mark O'Donnell
May 15
3 min read

Let's be honest. Technology has permeated every part of our lives, even the natural world. While tech can sometimes hinder our bond with nature, it also serves as a valuable tool for storytelling and preserving memories for the future.

Listed below is all the tech I may take on the trail. Each is situational and comes at the cost of weight

Garmin inReach Mini

Reliable GPS device! I mainly use this for texting people from the backcountry. It has an SOS just in case you find yourself in a danger situation. I found that sending text can be slow when its a cloudy day or you're in the trees but it works. Battery life could be better. I've noticed it may reach 3 days max before dying. There is also monthly subscription fee to enable the device. Monthly fee may vary from $7.99-$49.99 (See InReach Consumer Plans).

Iphone 15 Pro Max

We all know the power of phones by now. The greatest camera you can have is the one that is on you all the time. I've been shooting videos with my phone for years. Its lightweight, ultra reliable, access to AllTrails, Gaia, etc and now has satellite texting! With the addition of the satellite texting this device is by far the best tech item in my bag.

Canon r5

Lenses: 17-35 f2.8, 70-200 f2.8

This is a beast of camera! I love this thing. It takes incredible images & video. The price tag isnt very friendly though. Just for the body its going to cost you around $1800 and up. Add some lenses to that and you're well above $3000. Also the weight... its heavy. At least an additional 5-6lbs. This is totally a luxury item. If your trying to get into photography there are so many options out there! Find something that suites your needs and budget and get to shooting.

Zeapon Slider Mini 3

Some of you may ask. What is a slider? A slider a device that allows you to move the camera along a horizontal plane to create smooth, slow movement in the direction of your choice. I don't the slider everywhere. This is a tool to create some sweet timelapse videos or create cinematic motions. Totally a niche item to have. Im very new to using this but hopefully i'll be able to show you all something amazing that I create from this.

DJI Mavic Pro Mini 4

Top-notch. It's compact, lightweight, and captures in 4K with 48MP photos. When weight is crucial and content quality is important, this drone is essential.

ZERO PUMP 2: (3.5KPA, 29g）

Some might wonder, "Why carry extra items just to inflate your sleeping pad?" Have you ever felt so exhausted after a 10-15 mile backpacking day that using any more breath might make you faint? Here's the solution. It's a fantastic tool to include in your pack. You won't even notice the weight since it's so light and compact. It's also not overly noisy, which I believe is a common concern. It does make some noise, but it inflates your sleeping pad in about a minute..

Energizer - MAX 20,000mAh 15W USB-C LCD screen

I film a lot in the backcountry whether it with my phone or camera or just to charge my Garmin. I've noticed 20,000mah is the sweet spot for a multi-day trip. I don't love the energizer battery specifically. It does the job but I feel like it does a lot. I believe it will keep charger my phone even when it hits 100%. That is unconfirmed but when I charge my phone at night when i'm backpacking the amount of battery that is used in the morning is insane. I'd recommend finding something more reliable and lightweight.

Bose Soundlink Micro

Love the Bose Soundlink Micro. Good battery life, Waterproof, Good sound, & compact. Provides the campsite with some uplifting vibes and energy. I always have this with me. Highly recommend