You can call me any day or night

“Call me (call me) on the line
Call me, call me any, anytime
Call me (call me) I’ll arrive
You can call me any day or night
Call me” Blondie

Part 2 – Communication / 5 in a series about smartphone apps for hiking and backpacking.

I believe Communication is the number one priority for carrying a smartphone while hiking or backpacking. Of course, if you have been using a smartphone for any amount of time, you have both a phone call and a text messaging app already installed. A useful reminder here is to make sure you have all the relevant contact numbers up to date. If you know you will be staying at a particular hostel or motel, add their local phone numbers to your contacts. Are you sending a resupply box someplace or using a particular shuttle driver; add their local phone number to your contacts. The point is you will use less power if you do not have to use mobile data on trail to find a number you know ahead of time you might need. Of course, this all presumes you have mobile service. I also carry a Garmin inReach Mini, primarily as a SOS device and backup satellite communications with my wife when I do not have mobile service. The Garmin specific Earthmate app connects my inReach by Bluetooth to my smartphone and makes messaging easier than using the inReach’s internal T9 style interface. I also recommend updating your Emergency Contacts, Address, and Medical Info in your phone’s settings; this will be available on your lock screen for first responders in an emergency when you may not be responsive. A popular messaging app that works over Wi-Fi, as well as internationally for free, is WhatsApp. I keep WhatsApp on my phone, along with the included phone and messaging communications apps. And of course, email; I am a Gmail user, easy and reliable. Communications apps are essential and you should maintain sufficient power in your smartphone to send out messages when it truly matters. I recently upgraded my power bank to a Nitecore NB10000 Gen II Ultra-Slim Power Bank, 10000mAh, at 5.3 oz.

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