[pct-l] need some info - Or keeping found!

[brick@fastpack.com (Brick Robbins)]

At 06:43 PM 3/8/01 , Ronald Moak wrote:
>  ELT's are pretty ineffective in
>deep canyon country where their signals bounce all over the place and yield
>lots of false readings.

With all due respect to Ron, I think his objection to ELTs are based more 
on a philosophy of self reliance than actual problems with ELTs.

True, every device is subject to failure. NASCAR driver Dale Ernheart 
(probably) died because his seat belts failed. Does that mean that seat 
belts should be abandoned? Surely not.

Even if Ron's objections that ELT signals 'bounce all over the place' in 
canyons was correct, not that much of the PCT is located at the bottom of 
deep canyons. (it is the CREST trail, remember).

Personally I did not carry an ELT on my hike because I didn't think it was 
worth lugging around the extra 3/4 pound for extra safety. I think Marge 
"the Old Gal" would probably think it WAS worth it.

It is all a matter of personal preference.

As to which electronic device would be best, if you choose to carry one, I 
still think the ELT is the best bet. It is almost unbreakable. The 
batteries will last for up to 3 years in the radio, and will transmit for 
about 72 hours once you turn it on.  It taps into a huge network of search 
and rescue monitoring stations used by both the civilian and military world 
wide with almost complete coverage everywhere.

On the down side, an ELT is a bit heavy (because it is almost unbreakable) 
and it is not usable for contact in "less than emergency" situations. You 
turn it on, and within a few hours (weather and daylight permitting) a SAR 
aircraft will be flying over you position looking for you.

Cell phones have really spotty coverage, and are almost assured NOT to work 
in the really remote areas. You drop one and it will break, and the 
batteries don't last that long without a charge. On the upside, they are 
REALLY light, and you can "phone home" with a simple message. (assuming you 
are within range of a cell antenna.)

-Brick