Last year alone, over 300,000 people completed the Camino de Santiago. This is a pilgrimage with various starting points in France, culminating in the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. Suitable for walkers and cyclists, the pilgrimage has several routes for different ability levels, which are helpfully marked out by arrows. The Camiño is suitable for solo travellers and groups alike, and, with studies showing the physical and mental benefits of outdoor activity, it offers an opportunity to strengthen friendships, forge new ones, as well as to self reflect.
In fact, the Camino is further proof that an outdoor adventure can push you to achieve more than you might have previously thought possible, while also teaching you some invaluable skills and life lessons. while the focus should be on connecting with nature, there are certain gadgets that can contribute to your experience in a positive way, helping to keep you safe and healthy, and your adventure memorable. Much of the travel world is going digital and you’ll have noticed that with your hotel booking and with your flight bookings. It’s no longer a thing to print boarding passes as they’re digital now, too. You can always enhance your experience with the right technology, however, and it’s going to really help you to make those memories.
Global Positioning System (GPS)
However you source your outdoor equipment, something you should definitely consider taking with you is a GPS tracker. Along with your speed, distance and altitude, a GPS tracks your location, wherever you are on your walk. This can prove an invaluable tool, particularly if you are travelling alone and/or find yourself disoriented and need help.
A battery bank
Essentially a source of power that is easy to transport and use, a battery bank enables you to charge your devices when you have no access to a plug socket. Simply power it up before you set off and you will be able to keep your devices charged while you are on your journey.. Hopefully you won’t have much need for it, but it puts your mind at ease in case of emergency.
The GoPro camera
GoPro cameras have been a popular feature of outdoor adventures since their creation in 2002. In fact, GoPro videos have nearly 760 million views on YouTube. These high-definition cameras can be easily attached to your person and/or most objects, allowing you to record part or all of your adventure with very little effort or intrusion. Its tiny size and intuitive functionality make it an ideal travel companion on your adventure and means you have a permanent record for you to look back on in years to come.
Technology and the great outdoors: not necessarily two worlds apart
Today’s digital-heavy world may well leave us wary of including any gadgets on an outdoor adventure – particularly on something as peaceful as the Camino de Santiago. However, given the peace of mind that certain technology can offer, together with the exciting imaging capabilities, it is worth at least considering taking some gadgets along with us. They really can improve our overall experience.
