Top cell phone apps for the backcountry

Top cell phone apps for the backcountry

Top cell phone apps for the backcountry

Below are my top rated phone apps for the backcountry. All of the reviewed apps I tested with the iPhone 5s. Many of these I have had for quite some time and they are favorites for getting data, planning, profiling snow, weather & avalanche forecasts, and well..because they are cool and well planned out apps.

I don’t rely on any apps in the backcountry whatsoever. I need to make that clear. Interference from cell phones, even in airplane mode, can directly play havoc with an avalanche beacon. When I’m on the move in avalanche terrain, I keep my phone off. However, below are some fantastic apps for your backcountry excursions at the trailhead, a hut trip, a snow profile pit to record data,during a break while touring, or planning.

Many of these apps come recommended by other professionals. Basically I do not bother to write a negative review. With that said, I do offer one suggestion; please do not use the ‘avalanche beacon apps’ in the backcountry. Buy yourself a real avalanche beacon. Apps can be very handy, but please do not rely on any apps when your life depends on it.

I recently received a few to try out and test drive for the backcountry. I will add below as I get a chance to review the new ones in the actual elements, or technical use in the 2014/15 season.

My top picks

App Review: Ski Tracks

App Review: Ski Tracks

Ski Tracks is loaded with features, whether you use it inbounds, or the backcountry -- it is the most downloaded ski application in the world. For backcountry use it comes in handy for those obscure lines. It can be a useful application to turn on when shortcutting through trees, exploring new routemore...
App Review: Topo Maps

App Review: Topo Maps

My number one most favorite app is Topo Maps by Phil Endecott. Topo Maps doesn't have a lot of bloat and useless features. The best part is that Topo Maps does not rely on cached imagery or cellphone towers. It will let you pinpoint your location even when your iPhone can’t talk to a cellular servmore...
App Review: Avalanche Forecasts

App Review: Avalanche Forecasts

Avalanche Forecasts is one of my favorites for checking up to date information. The location service pulls the closest avalanche forecasting center. For Colorado, this would be the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC). You can then tap a forecasting zone to see the detailed information. The more...
App Review: Forecast Point

App Review: Forecast Point

I have been using this app for well over a year, by far the best pinpoint weather app I have ever used. Highly responsive, efficient, and an amazing interface. This app offers easy to use point forecast from NOAA based on geographical coordinates or areas rather than place names. The perfect bamore...
App Review: Avalanche Lab

App Review: Avalanche Lab

A solid app for avalanche professionals, avalanche forecasters and observers. You can snap a photo, measure the slope angle and aspect, then record a crown profile, all on your phone. As you ski or ride down the path, you use your phone as GPS to map the slide. When you get to the toe of themore...
App Review: Ullr Labs

App Review: Ullr Labs

Just received - review coming soon this  2014/15 season! Mobile Avalanche Safety Guide™ (MAST™) is the world’s first digital snow and avalanche field notebook. We’ve combined established principles of snow science with the camera, GPS, inclinometer, compass and data communication features of an imore...
App Review: isnowreport

App Review: isnowreport

I have been using this since 2013. I don't really worry about inbounds forecasts, but I used it to track snow in Silverton, CO. If you are riding in resorts, it's a great app to have. iSnowReport is an application created to be the ultimate resource for our community of local Colorado skiers anmore...