How high?

Altimeters used to be trademarks for only the most die-hard of hikers or the most extreme of alpine climbers.

Increasingly, however, as interest in wilderness gadgets has grown, regular-Joe hikers and alpine skiers are adding altimeters to their outdoor arsenals.

Why?

Elevation.

If the thrill of being in the mountains is climbing to great heights or plummeting down steep ski runs, then measuring those adventures with altimeters seems fitting: How high have you gone? How far do you have to go?

Altimeters, which measure elevation using barometric pressure, can help you answer those questions and more.

If you’re on a strenuous hike, you can simply stop, look at your altimeter and say, “OK, honey, we’ve got only 300 feet until the top,” as you huff and puff ever upward.

If that sounds nerdy or trivial, think again: With most trails almost completely unsigned along the way, knowing your elevation can take some of the guesswork out of estimating distance and arrival times, especially when paired with a map.

Because guidebooks for hikes and climbs typically use elevation as a way to describe a route, altimeters can be extremely useful, said Evan Moses, an avid skier and climber.

Moses, who is a member of the Everett branch of the Mountaineers, uses Highgear’s Axis altimeter, which cost him about $150, easily worth it in his eyes.

“For how simple and easy they can be, they can tell you so much,” he said. “Without an altimeter, it’d be kind of hard to know what elevation you’re at, unless you have very good compassing skills.”

Some newer global positioning system units, which find routes using satellites, now include built-in altimeters for that extra edge.

While GPS units can help you find your way, they often require reception from three or more satellite signals and can fail under heavy tree cover.

Altimeters, though they need to be reset at known elevation points to stay accurate, are often more reliable.

Style is another factor for altimeter fans.

Most modern altimeters double as watches that look cool enough to go from the trailhead to the office, unlike handheld GPS units.

Not only that, altimeters are evolving into highly advanced devices, featuring clocks, alarms, digital compasses, water resistance, thermometers that can withstand subfreezing temperatures, log-book functions, and tools that can help you track your rate of ascent or descent. Some models enable skiers to keep track of the number of runs or the number of vertical feet traveled in a set time period.

Suunto’s latest “wristop computer,” the X9i, could be the best of both worlds, featuring advanced altimeter and GPS technologies, compatible with your home computer through a USB connection and National Geographic’s TOPO! software.

It’s pricey, of course, at $549.

But you don’t need to spend more than $150 to $200 for the basic altimeter experience, said Pam Dalan, a member of the Everett Mountaineers.

Most leaders with the club use altimeters for a third point of reference in navigation, especially when conditions make taking a compass bearing difficult.

“If you can’t see surrounding landmarks because of forests or fog, it is very hard to read a map,” Dalan said. “It would be like if you were trying to find Seventh Street with a map, but someone had stolen all of the street signs. If you know Seventh Street is on a really high hill, that would help you know something more about your destination.”

REI spokesman Dave Swan said altimeters do take a little getting used to because of their complicated technical features. Be prepared to read at least a bit of the manual to fully understand them so you can use them to their full potential.

That said, they’re a great choice for hard-to-shop-for outdoors fans, Swan said.

“At Christmastime, we will be sold out of these,” he said. “It’s a big seller for the guy who has everything.”

Reporter Sarah Jackson: 425-339-3037 or sjackson@heraldnet.com.

Take a class

What: The Everett Mountaineers are offering two navigation classes with classroom exercises and outdoor fieldwork, using a map and compass.

Where: Lectures and practical fieldwork will be split between Forest Park in Everett and the Search and Rescue facility near Snohomish.

When: Choose between Feb. 24 or March 31. Classes last all day.

Cost: $20 for Mountaineer members or $35 for nonmembers.

Information: See www.everettmountaineers.org or contact Dennis Miller at 425-335-5336.

Research it

Most local outdoors outfitters carry a selection of altimeters. For details, see www.highgear.com, www.suunto.com, www.origowatch.com or www.brunton.com.