Hikers help test-drive prototype "Forest Explorer" smartphone tool
- Tags:
- Education,
- Mount Major
Hikers arrive at the summit of Mount Major during the "Five Easy Hikes In Five Weeks" summer series. A fall series is in the works.
The summer series of "Five Easy Hikes In Five Weeks" wrapped up with a group ascent of Mt. Major on Wednesday, July 26.
More than 30 participants enjoyed spectacular views from the summit, with Lake Winnipesaukee, the Belknap Range, the Ossipees and White Mountains in view. The final hike of the summer series was a chance to hike Mount Major with Forest Society staff guides.
Hikers were also enlisted to help beta-test an early prototype of the Forest Society's forthcoming NH "Forest Explorer" trails guide designed to work from a smartphone or mobile device platform.
The Forest Explorer tool will be designed to track hikers' progress along Mt. Major trails. It will share geo-located interpretive content about trailside features to enhance hikers' experiences while on the mountain.
Of course, if hikers just wanted to enjoy the scenery and learn from experienced Forest Society guides, that was fine too!
The "Five Hikes" summer 2017 series began on June 23 at Creek Farm in Portsmouth and continued with hikes July 1 at Hedgehog Ridge in Deering, July 6 at the Johnson Clark Nature Reserve trails across Lewis HIll located near the Rocks Estate in Bethlehem, and on July 21at Silver Mountain on the Ashuelot River Headwaters Forest in Lempster. Nearly 100 hikers participated in staff- and volunteer-guided hikes to enjoy scenic summer beauty from the Seacoast shoreline to mountain summits with good blueberry picking.
We are planning a fall "Five Hikes in Five Weeks" to highlight N.H.'s spectacular fall foliage, so stay tuned for more about that!
