[pct-l] SPOT Connect in N Cascades (Rebecca Wilcox)

[Gail Van Velzer]

I can vouch for In Reach and it's coverage.  We were in a canyon and were 
able to get a message out, a 911 call, and communicate with the emergency 
personnel as to the nature of our emergency so they could send the proper 
help.  For those that don't know, the trail gave way near Aqua Dulce (20 
miles north) and my horse and I went down the steep incline.  I fell 100 
feet and my horse fell 300 feet to the bottom of the canyon.  I was able to 
cling to a burned bush, but couldn't move or I'd fall further.  My horse and 
I were both airlifted out.  I had a broken leg and Dakota had a broken skull 
(and later we found out he also broke his withers).  We are all healed now 
and ready to begin training for the trail again.  You can read our story on 
the In Reach website.
Golly
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ed Jarrett" <edjarrett at msn.com>
To: "PCT List" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2014 9:05 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] SPOT Connect in N Cascades (Rebecca Wilcox)


> Globalstar has a series of equatorial satellites in low earth orbit. 
> Iridium satellites are also in low earth orbit but are global, providing 
> better coverage toward the poles.  SPOT is a subsidy of Globalstar, so you 
> can imagine what satellite system it uses.  InReach uses the Iridium 
> satellites, meaning that it is going to have a better chance of satellite 
> coverage the further away from the equator one gets.  In addition, InReach 
> can receive text messages in addition to sending them, while SPOT cannot, 
> and according to the SPOT rep I talked to last week, they have no plans on 
> offering that capability.  Because Inreach can receive messages, it is 
> able to receive a confirmation that a message has actually made it out to 
> the satellites, unlike SPOT where you never know if it made it out until 
> you get home.
> SPOT works well so long as you recognize its limitations and do not expect 
> to be able to send out a message from Washington when you are in a canyon 
> with a wall to the south of you; it just won't happen.  I have used SPOT 
> from the Mexican border to the Canadian border, and while the results are 
> better further south, I have been satisfied with it throughout.  That 
> being said, I will likely change to InReach for next year just so I can 
> receive messages and have some assurance that things are OK at home, as 
> well as have the ability to recharge in the field.
>
> Ed Jarrett (Eeyore)A Clay Jar: http://aclayjar.blogspot.com/  Twitter: 
> https://twitter.com/EdJarrett53 Facebook: 
> https://www.facebook.com/ed.jarrett.71
>
>> Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 00:16:44 -0700
>> From: lucecruz13 at gmail.com
>> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>> Subject: Re: [pct-l] SPOT Connect in N Cascades (Rebecca Wilcox)
>>
>> All of the stories about whether a SPOT works anywhere in the US are 
>> purely
>> anecdotal. People doing all kinds of things in many different areas have
>> used a SPOT device for tracking, basic message sending, and summoning
>> emergency help, and many try to use the device under less than optimal
>> conditions in less than optimal ways and then decide that because it 
>> didn't
>> work for them, in a certain area, it doesn't work for anyone there.
>>
>> What was the name of the fellow that used a SPOT to summon help for his
>> badly injured ankle a not far from the Canadian border on the PCT a 
>> couple
>> years ago? Chef something? Something Chef? Rescuers walked in, assessed 
>> his
>> injuries, assisted him, and then helped him get airlifted out to a
>> hospital. Worked for him, so by the same process folks use to poo-poo it,
>> it clearly works well in WA. It does for me for taking and message
>> triggering.
>>
>> I would say by whatever brand or service you want, or buy a real PLB
>> emergency beacon for around $300-500 and not pay any monthly service fees
>> for a higher possibility that if you run into trouble, you will more
>> reliably summon help, as the devices run on a different system that is 
>> more
>> robust.
>>
>> Roll the dice, take your chances.
>>
>> Luce Cruz
>> _______________________________________________
>> Pct-L mailing list
>> Pct-L at backcountry.net
>> To unsubscribe, or change options visit:
>> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>>
>> List Archives:
>> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
>> All content is copyrighted by the respective authors.
>> Reproduction is prohibited without express permission.
>
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-L mailing list
> Pct-L at backcountry.net
> To unsubscribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
> All content is copyrighted by the respective authors.
> Reproduction is prohibited without express permission.