[pct-l] Spot Satellite Messenger

[Brian McLaughlin]

I cannot say I agree.

For me, the wilderness experience is largely a matter of
being present in the wilderness. That is not affected by
knowing that I might meet another hiker who is carrying
a communication device.

Also, the fact of such devices, even if I had one in my
pack, would not encourage me to take a single extra risk
or hike any differently than I do now. It would be, as it
is meant to be, a last resort in the event of dire need.
Relying on rescuers to pull your chestnuts out of the
fire for you is the height of irresponsibility, unless you
have done all you could do to prevent putting them in
that situation. They have lives, families, jobs they must
leave to go out and haul your sorry ass back to safety.

If I ever did start to carry some satellite comm device,
like a PLB, it would have only one purpose - to help
get me back to my wife and child if it came down to
a situation where I could not rescue myself. If it ever
came to that, I would kiss the inventor.

How the device is used is not up to the device, but to
the user. There's no reason why it should affect your
wilderness experience, except for the better. If it
detracts from it, it is only because you allowed it to.

Happy hiking.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Tortoise" <Tortoise73 at charter.net>
To: "Pacific Crest Trail List" <pct-l at mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2007 6:19 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Spot Satellite Messenger


> This idea upsets me. Maybe I'm just old and hate change; then again this
> is a change I don't like.
>
> With this device, one looses some sense of the wilderness experience --
> that of being on one's own and dependent on one's own skills. Instead
> any time something goes wrong, one can press a button and be rescued. A
> trip in the wilds becomes more like walking in an urban park.  And even
> if one doesn't carry such a device, just knowing that the people you
> meet can call for your rescue still lessens the wilderness experience.
>
> Cell phones have a somewhat similar effect depending if one is within
> range of a tower.
>
> what do the rest of you think?
>
> Tortoise
>
> <> He who finishes last, wins! <>
>
> I switched to Mac OSX rather than fight Windows
> Using Mozilla Thunderbird  http://www.mozilla.org/products/thunderbird/
>
>
>
> Postholer wrote:
> > Yeah, it's kinda cool for keeping track of those out and about.
> >
> > The messenger part seems to be very weak, though. It doesn't appear that
you
> > can 'type' messages and send them. You just hit an 'OK' button and some
sort
> > of canned message is sent along with your position. Then folks visit
spot's
> > website to see where you are.
> >
> > Describing it as a 'Messenger' is very misleading. Note: the device has
no
> > display screen or any kind of touch pad.
> >
> > Another downside, is to alert '911' you just push a button. How many
false
> > alarms will first responders have to deal with?
> >
> > This is just a fancy PLB. If used properly though, it's very nice.
> >
> >
> > It's not a Cell phone
> > it's not a satellite phone
> > it's not a PLB
> >
> > It's a GPS enabled, satellite message service, could be just the ticket
> > *http://tinyurl.com/33xsos
> >
> > http://www.findmespot.com/
> > <<<<
> > ------------------------------------
> > Trails : http://Postholer.Com
> > Journals : http://Postholer.Com/journal
> >
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