[pct-l] Hiking Alone & SPOT

[Edward Anderson]

Jim,

Yours was a good post. If that hiker had had a SPOT, a compass, and adequate 
cold weather gear along he would still be alive. I, too, have always enjoyed the 
experience of hiking alone - of being alone, and self-reliant, in wild places. I 
rode most of the PCT solo, but not really alone. I had my horse, Primo, as a 
close companion to share the experience. And he had me - I was the other 
horse. I am not a risk taker either and am always careful to not put my 
horse-friend at risk. We trust each other.

 I was glad to have a SPOT to send "I'm OK" messages every night from camp to my 
wife, family,and friends. It certainly did give them peace of mind. And, if I 
ever did have a real emergency they knew that I could press the 911 button.

Since I was riding a horse, and, like you, don't take unnecessary risks, I 
always wore a riding helmet and also wore a knapsack containing everything that 
I might need to survive an unexpected accident if I was ever separated from my 
horse. (Aren't all accidents unexpected?). During my five months and 2000 miles 
on the PCT I never once fell off my horse. But he did run off once in a panic 
when we came upon llamas in Washington. I dismounted quickly when I first saw 
them. I did have my well equipped knapsack on, including my SPOT. I was able to 
track Primo down in about two miles - we were very glad to see each other.

MendoRider/Ed Anderson



________________________________
From: "mntmn4jesus at aol.com" <mntmn4jesus at aol.com>
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Sent: Thu, December 2, 2010 10:57:00 AM
Subject: [pct-l] Hiking Alone & SPOT


I have successfully hiked alone through the years.  While I somewhat identify 
with the writer that shared how it is more enriching to hike alone in certain 
aspects, I am not annal about it nor do I take unnecessary risks.  I now own a 
SPOT which does not in any way diminish my experience of hiking alone.  There 
are still the same risks given that a SAR team may take up to 48 hours to reach 
you depending on how remote you are is no guarantee you are going to come back 
alive. I owe it to me children and grandchildren to give them every opportunity 
to enjoy their Grandfather for as long as the good Lord chooses to let me live 
on this earth.  A few weeks ago I experienced a Class III ankle sprain coming 
down from a routine climb up Dana mountain (was training to climb Mt. Rainier).  
It was just a freak accident.  While I wasn't in any danger as I had already 
passed 12 climbers or so on the way down,  it was comforting to know I had my 
SPOT if I had broke my ankle and I were in a
  much more remote location.

Another sobering thought is we just lost a lone hiker in the Sierras who was 
obviously not prepared.  He didn't even have a compass which caused him to go 
180 degrees in the wrong direction because the prevailing wind and snow as 
coming from the south (the direction he needed to go).  Hypothermia obviously 
set in.  Supposedly he was an "experienced" hiker, but from the description of 
what he was carrying it sounds like he was woefully unprepared.  A SPOT would 
have probably saved his life if he had not brought any other piece of gear 
because the SAR team could have found him the first evening he called from his 
cell phone.

On the technical side of this discussion I am looking forward to acquiring an 
Android phone with GPS capabilities soon.  It will eliminate up to two pounds of 
extra gear (i.e. camera, video, GPS etc.,.)  I discovered in my research that 
the phone will connect with satellites when you are out of range for GPS.  
Eventually I am hoping someone will develop an app that will allow the phone to 
communicate directly with satellites for emergency purposes at which point I can 
eliminate my SPOT altogether.  It will be great to have one device to handle 
everything that I use continuously whether in the backcountry or not.  (Ofcourse 
I will always have a compass and MAP as a backup along with the 10 essentials).

Best Regards to all of you.
Jim




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