[pct-l] PCT with Personal Locator Beacons

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

Hi Kim,
 
A bit of history, first.  I carried an early version of a plb on the  Crest 
in 1974.  It was given to me by a pilot friend who had always flown  with it 
before they were built into planes. It was twice the size of a box of  
cigarettes and weighed too much, but for the solo 17-year old hiker it was what  my 
mother required to let me go.  I never used it and now it sits in my  "museum" 
box.
 
A backcountry emergency is never expected, can have catastrophic  
consequences, can have an incredible cost, even if you live through it, but some  
contingency plan should be held.
 
This is my take: The most valuable tool you have at your constant disposal  
is your wisdom, which, when utilized, can keep you from needing to be rescued 
in  the first place.  However, accidents happen to even the most cautious and  
experienced.  Since the idea is to have repeated safe and enjoyable  
wilderness visits over a lifetime, carrying a plb can ensure that should wisdom  and 
experience fail and an accident happen.  A plb is small, doesn't  weigh much, 
and provides lifesaving emergency aid. Just don't consider it to be  an "easy 
out" when faced with rough or unforeseen circumstances; in other words,  don't 
abuse it unless your situation is life threatening.  I worked for the  Forest 
Service as a Backcountry Wilderness Ranger and facilitated a few  helicopter 
rescues and know how many people get together to save our hides  should we need 
it.  Use your head, first, to practice avoidance of  potentially dangerous 
situations.
 
Mtnned