HikeArizona.COM

Do a lot of hikers take Spot GPS trackers for emergencies or is that just being paranoid?

I carry a DeLorme InReach, which allows for two way communication and also lets you confirm that your message sent successfully and was received, unlike the Spot. I carry it less for my own paranoia than for that of others. I figure it's worth it if it keeps other people from worrying.

I carry a PLB.

With a SPOT, you can let friends and others track your progress at Track Leaders

friendofThundergod wrote:viewtopic.php?f=32&t=8855&p=109715&hili ... es#p109715

yay, goes right to my post!

Worth adding, now, that since that thread I've added the Delorme InReach SE to my collection of crap carried on trail. Worth EVERY penny to me.

@jonathanpatt
Depends on the Spot I guess and knowing how to use it. I have a Spot Gen 3 and it works great and I always know that my wife and son got my OK I'm still hiking.

These devices are as much for the folks at home as they are for the hiker. Peace of mind for them and an emergency relief for the hiker.

And they save SAR time which may mean life as opposed to death for you. Just sayin....

I don't carry one but do think it's a great idea to have along. On my recent through hike of the AZT my brother carried a Delorme. I have Verizon and had cell service about 95% of the time but we did use it a couple of nights to let family know we were ok.

Spiced Rum wrote:Verizon and had cell service about 95% of the time

good info

How is AT&T coverage for a thru hike?

@oldmanonthetrail
Not as good as Verizon, and not as good as their map claims it is.

oldmanonthetrail wrote:How is AT&T coverage for a thru hike?

AT&T is still in business? Amazing :whistle:

I too carry an InReach SE for all the reasons noted above.

I've always done most of my backpacking solo and never worried much. Then, two years ago, on a day hike in the Supes with a friend, he had the simplest slip on the easiest bit of trail and out of the blue disconnected his entire quadricept from its attachment at the top of the knee -- while we watched, it rolled up his thigh like a Venetian blind. Fortunately, there were several of us and we weren't far from the trailhead. That got me thinking. Alone, in the more remote parts of the Supes or Gila Wilderness, that would have been a very serious problem.

In addition, when you're ahead of or behind schedule, the InReach's two-way texting allows you to coordinate pick-ups with friends and family. Finally, it displays your GPS coordinates. So, when you're using paper maps and you're not entirely sure which bend in the river you just reached, it's handy.

Therefore, while I wouldn't bother with it on the AT, for the AZT and other more remote trips, it's worth the 7 oz.