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There’s been a lot of discussion lately in adventure circles about the use of GPS (Global Positioning System) and PLB units (Personal Locator Beacons) for wilderness navigation and safety. While I have a portable GPS system that can be used in my car or handheld, I find its true value lies in showing me the drive time to the next shoot location and when the sun will rise or set rather than every bend in the trail.
On backcountry ski trips I’ll mark important waypoints like camp and water locations or a critical landmark in a tricky mountain descent, but then I’ll turn it off until that information is needed. Adventure by design requires an element of uncertainty and I feel that there is already enough technology in the wilderness between digital cameras, batteries, solar chargers and radios that I prefer to leave as much as possible out of the equation.
Having said that, it’s still nice to have a small piece of insurance tucked away in the pack in case things don’t go as planned. A PLB is one option, which is basically an “all or nothing” device that sends a distress signal with your coordinates via satellite to the local emergency or rescue service. Unfortunately, these units don’t allow any type of communication as to the nature of the situation and are too often deployed accidentally putting an unnecessary strain on emergency services.
Satellite phones are another option that allow for direct communication almost anywhere in the world however they are too expensive and heavy for the average user and are typically used only by large expeditions. Fortunately the SPOT personal messaging system has bridged the gap with a small, cost effective unit that allows static messages to be sent to any e-mail or phone via text using GPS and ComStar technology. It’s three transmitting options include a personal message with a link to your exact location in Google Earth, a personal (friends and family) help message which can be used to notify of a non-emergency delay in the trip, or a full emergency call similar to a PLB.
This image is from the summit of Bear Creek Spire at nearly 14,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada Mountains where my SPOT is sending a message home. It had been a beautiful climb with good friends Vic and Amy, but several delays had caused us to reach the summit late in the day followed by a technical descent in the dark. Although this was not an emergency situation, my wife Maureen was glad to see when we had reached the top and even more relieved when she received another message showing that we were safely back in camp.
Great post, Russ. I only purchased a SPOT earlier this year, primarily to take along on solo motorcycle trips. I’ve got a big dual-sport and I like to ride as much dirt as possible on multi-day trips. That usually means I’m in areas that aren’t heavily traveled. God forbid I should have a bad crash or major mechanical malfunction, the SPOT is there to (hopefully) help out. It certainly gives my wife peace of mind when I wander off alone, which I’m terribly prone to do. Having the ability to send her a text message that says “I’m not dead” certainly eases her anxiety.
Love the photo of Bear Creek Spire. Gnarly!
I got my SPOT earlier this year for solo-backpacking. Having known someone that walked off into oblivion 7 years ago (and whose remains were just found a couple months ago), it does provide as much security to the family members who know you’re safe and when you are moving. I send an OK w/ each meal. I tell my wife, worry if I miss two.
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Bret and Gary, thanks for your comments. The SPOT really filled a gap in allowing you to keep the spirit of adventure alive and at the same time give the folks back home a little piece of mind when you wander off the beaten path. And although I’ve never had to use the emergency feature (and hope I never do), it’s sure nice to know it’s there!
hey Russ
And cell phone service is now available at basecamp on Everest. I’m not sure that’s a good thing.
Cheers
Carl
Hi Carl. I didn’t mention cells phones because it’s generally recommended that you don’t count on them in the backcountry. Of course, Everest isn’t really the backcountry anymore – unfortunately!
Russ, your comments about SPOT and the comments above have piqued my curiousity, I think I need to bite the bullet and get one before my next round of solo outings. Thanks for an informative post.
You’re welcome Phil, thanks for commenting. It’s interesting that you were just at the Subway in Zion as that was one of the first tests I did with the SPOT. It actually had pretty good coverage all the way through the canyon, but since it utilizes GPS technology a view of the satellites will always be its weak point.
I realize that GPS satellite reception is important for its ability to identify position. Does GPS satellite reception also affect its ability to send out messages? Thanks.
The GPS satellites identify your position initially, then the communication satellites are what SPOT uses to relay that information to the SPOT messaging service or emergency personel. So there are several links going on each time the SPOT is used, but they all rely on various satellite technology.
GPS and PLB technologies can enhance ones back country capabilities and are most definetly worth their weight. But they are NOT a substitute for practiced skills and good judgment. Taking greater risks based on your possession of an electronic gizmo is a fools game. If you dont feel comfortable attempting something without such support then you shouldent be attempting it until your abilities improve. Electronics in field conditions have a distressing habit of failing. Even such hardened devices as modern GPS and PLB, lets not even discuss what happens to a cell phone if you fall in the lake.
Good points Rusty. Modern technology in the mountains is never a substitute for good judgement and knowledge of your surroundsing.
I have a handheld GPS unit that I do often bring with me on trips. More often than not I use it to mark a point so that I can identify mountain peaks from that location later on in Google Earth – which it is great for. I haven’t wanted to rely upon it for actual navigation though, I think that is probably best left to more reliable sources like paper maps. Maybe I am just old fashioned?
Thanks for the comment Michael. You’re right, the technology should never detract from your experience in the wilderness or your common sense in navigating through it.
I always take paper topos along (not old fashioned, just smart) and never assume that the Spot or GPS will get me out of a sticky situation.