After months of anticipation (at least on my part) the iPhone/iPod Touch app for the Red River Gorge guidebook is almost here. One of the first of its kind, Red River Gorge Rock Climbs takes the updated 3rd edition of the popular Red River Gorge printed guidebook and leverages the iPhone platform to deliver what I think looks like a really useful tool.
While the full version is still at least a week away, you can download a free “Lite” version from the App Store by clicking here. Included are topos for popular crags Drive By and Roadside which allows you to get a feel for how a guidebook can utilize a device like the iPhone.
The full version will cost $29.95 which to me seems like a fair price especially when you consider that this version includes free route updates every 6 months for the first 2 years of the app. This almost certainly means that I won’t be upgrading to the new printed guidebook; something I’m guessing will be the case for many. According to the publisher, purchasers of the app will get a coupon for 50% off the print version. Not a bad deal.
The feature I’m personally most interested in trying out at the crag is the search function which will hopefully limit the hours of paging through the guidebook that seems to take place every trip. The one obvious addition to the app that would be very cool would be some sort of link between the app’s ticklist feature and a user’s RedRiverClimbing.com ticklist. It’s never too soon to start begging for more free features hope.
Here are a few screenshots from the app to give you an idea how it looks:
Chris Sharma on the splash screen
Same quality maps as the printed guide. You can pinch to zoom in and out just like other iPhone apps.
Search function. More options like quality and region are available by scrolling down.
Update: Here is a video showing the full app in action
you should check out Flashed Pod Guides, they’ve been available for almost 2 years now…
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I’ve never tried those (and they do look cool) but it doesn’t look like the old ipods have the same functionality you can get on an iPhone with it’s larger screen and more efficient input methods.
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Sweet! I checked on the app store when I saw this in Climbing, but it wasn’t out yet. Thanks Narc! ce
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The free version kicks ass! I can’t wait to buy the full version. This is super nice!
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Really dope. This is the future for sure. It’d be great if there was a way to include the app with a hardcopy purchase, like a coupon code or something. Thats my only suggestion. The ticklist feature will be fun, especially if you can tie it together with their future guides for other areas.
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“It’d be great if there was a way to include the app with a hardcopy purchase, like a coupon code or something.”
Unfortunately Apple doesn’t allow for discounted app coupons. (yet)
BUT if you buy the Full version of the app, you will qualify for almost a 50% discount for the paper book.
See the Wolverine button in the Lite version for details.
Also, don’t forget that if you become a Fan of the Facebook page, you can win 1 of 10 giveaways for the Full version when it comes out.
http://www.facebook.com/RedRiverGorgeRockClimbs
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Brian –
Glad you like the app. You can get a coupon that gets you the print version for just $19.95 when you purchase the full version of the app. See the Wolverine Button, (scroll right in the top bar in the root level of the app), for details.
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Very cool, thanks for the update guys
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Just downloaded the Lite version. I will be buying the full version as soon as it’s out. Awesome. ce
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I was just on deadpoint; looking at the trip report from Sasha DiGulian’s time in the red. I noticed on the last picture of Kaleidoscope that there were more draws and bolts on the infamous “Sharma-project”.
I spent last summer at the red and the line wasn’t fully bolted (the beginning and the end were unfinished). Does this mean he’s been working the line?
I defer to you, Narc
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Not as far as I know. There were a lot of draws and a rope hanging on it though. Looks absurdly difficult looking at it from Kaleidoscope!
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Downloaded the app yesterday. Super cool! I will absolutely be buying the full version when it comes out!
Is there an exact date for the full version release?
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Just download the lite version – looks slick. For future features, how about giving climbers the ability to snap photos of a climb and upload them directly into the app for other people to see.
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You want a buncha people’s butt shots loaded onto your iPhone??? LOL
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