[pct-l] Cell Phones

[StoneDancer1 at aol.com (StoneDancer1@aol.com)]

Since I hiked alone, and am old and pathetic, my wife convinced me to carry  
a cell phone.  Since I have AT&T, I couldn't comment on Verizon.   No coverage 
in the Sierra, of course.  Oddly enough, there were only a few  times in 
Northern California that there was no coverage.  Virtually every  ridgetop...well 
almost.  Be aware that there is something called the  American Roaming 
Network, that squeezes in among the cracks.  If you use  their services, it is $2.95 
to connect and $1.95 per minute.
 
I carried it off and used it only to check in on occasion, although I  
fantasized about ordering pizza.  Since I have seen a number of people  shouting 
"You'll never guess where I am" into their phones, as if they would be  better 
heard for their volume, I never used mine in public.  Since I hiked  alone, it 
was rarely an issue.
 
I carried one of those little 1 0z supplemental batteries that sell for 5  or 
6 bucks at Office Depot and such, but never needed it.  I   carried a car 
charger  (2 0z) and recharged when hitching.   Worked fine.
 
 
 
"No Way Ray"  Echols