On the trip in August I am planning on doing some "live blogging" from the trail. I just gave up my BlackBerry phone and have joined Team Android with a Samsung Galaxy S3. This device now gives me an 8 MP camera and video capability. I also downloaded the WordPress app so I feel that once I get the hang of using the onscreen keyboard I should be in a good position to send posts from the field with a small but powerful platform.
Now the big issue: Batteries! How will I keep the batteries charged on a 6 day trip through the back country?
One option is to not worry about it! I do not know how much cell phone coverage I will even have. It will at best be spotty if we are able to get up high enough. At worst I may get some on the final day or two as we approach Grande Cache.
My plan is to record blog entries on the phone and save locally. If we get in range of a tower I should be able to upload them and set times for their publication. In this manner I would solve battery issues by only turning on the phone to type, photograph and upload.
I have considered a few of the solar chargers available through the likes of a Mountain Equipment Co-Op. These are basically a battery pack this charged by solar and then you plug your device in and charge from the battery pack.
This weekend we are doing a 2 night backpack in Jasper. I will take my phone along and do a test run. After that I should be in a better position to make a decision.
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