[daleharvey]

If you are doing it in the winter then sure, in the summer you don't even need a phone the route is very clear.

My comment wasnt particularly that paper backups werent the best option in some circumstances, it was more against the general smugness / gatekeeping nature thats fairly common in outdoors circles, and that really unless have to worry about it being cold enough to effect your battery, really a phone should be a better option for most people and the fact it cant be considered reliable is an indictment on this industry as most of the problems (cold batteries aside) are easily solved (offline, detailed maps, battery issues), the only problem is solving them doesnt sell ads

[ghaff]

I was mostly just reacting to suggestions that paper maps are unnecessary. I actually agree that you don't always have to be fully prepared against any possible eventuality, however unlikely. And that carrying too much stuff can be a hazard on its own.

I've walked hundreds of miles in England and I've always carried a map with me but I've almost always used the OS app and the paper was mostly for planning and getting a bigger view.

I am suspicious of electronics. This just seems like a case where, given the easy backup, why not use it when it might matter.

[staticman2]

The problem isn't ads, it's that designing a phone for hiking has tradeoffs that make it less appealing to consumers when you are not hiking.