[pct-l] Some gear questions

[Diarmaid Harmon]

Chris.

 I carry a spot to keep my wife happy and feeling secure that she can receive an OK spot from me a couple of times a day. She knows if she doesn't get one every morning and night not to panic as the signal doesn't always go through, even following all the guidelines. There is also the ability to hit the SOS button if all else fails of course you have to be conscious to do this. I know a lot of people talk of cutting the cord and being truly alone in the wilderness and I applaud them for that but some of us have significant others that are comforted by the link. I only caution do not feel emboldened by the presence of that little gadget

Diarmaid "Irish" Harmon
irishharmon at comcast.net

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, Guinness in one hand, steak in the other, yell 'Holy Sh**, What a Ride!"


On Feb 9, 2013, at 2:53 PM, Janet Grossman wrote:

> Chris Foley aka UBSeRiOuS said:
> 
> Lastly what are the thoughts on a Spot locator?  Around $200 to get going...is is a necessity out there an if so are you carrying one???
> 
> Chris,
> I am pretty "untechnological," do carry a basic cell phone now but mostly don't use it. I do not even carry a camera, but love looking at other people's photos on-line. After falling in the snow on a PCT section hike and breaking my scapula I finally got a Personal Locator Beacon for about the same $250 as a Spot, which makes my non-hiking significant other feel better. Unlike the Spot, there is no monthly or yearly charge, and I also cannot push any kind of "I'm ok" button. It's just something to be set off if I am in a position where I really cannot self-rescue as I did w/ the broken shoulder blade. Obviously I still have to be conscious and able to fish it out of my pack and set it off. I decided it was worth the money and the 5 ounces for my partner's peace of mind and the "just in case" insurance. If I didn't hike alone, often at times when I really don't see other hikers much, I probably wouldn't bother with it.
> Janet
> 
> 
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