Communication in the Wilderness

**Rick** · 01-16-2008, 05:31 AM

Some of us have to have our cell phones and GPS units. Here's a nice write up for gear heads that just have to stay in touch.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-...ght/00206.html

And if you are really a gear head, this thing has a lot of potential and the cost is pretty reasonable, especially if you spend a lot of time in the bush where cell phones just won't work. Their web site is listed at the bottom of this post:

http://www.newsobserver.com/1595/story/873980.html

Here's spot's web site (from the article above):

http://www.findmespot.com/

**Sarge47** · 01-16-2008, 07:43 AM

And then there's 2 cans and a string; areally loooong string!

**Elkchsr** · 01-16-2008, 10:18 AM

Yelling down wind and smoke signals are other forms also...

**trax** · 01-16-2008, 01:54 PM

If I have a burning need to stay in touch with other people I'll stay in town.

**wildWoman** · 01-16-2008, 07:34 PM

Cell phone owners should check if they even work in the area they're headed to for their outdoor pursuits, if they want to use them as a major safety back up. People coming up here from the south tend to assume that they'll work but I think they only work within the city limits of Whitehorse (where peole even these days still get sidelong glances for muttering into their palms, staring straight ahead as they stride down the sidewalk. Us locals, we mutter too but not into our hands).

**Elkchsr** · 01-16-2008, 08:31 PM

If I have a burning need to stay in touch with other people I'll stay in town

"DITTO"

**Tony uk** · 01-17-2008, 05:26 PM

Bring a megaphone

**Rick** · 01-17-2008, 06:12 PM

You die hard guys miss the point.

When your femurs broke.
Or you nearly choke.
Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters. Oh, no. Wait. That's not right. I mean it's a safety device.

Wildwoman. That's why I thought the findmespot might be something worthwhile. My cell phone didn't work anywhere up there.

**trax** · 01-17-2008, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by Tony uk

Bring a megaphone

Start using a megaphone any place I'm at in the bush and you're gonna be wearing it home. You won't like where you're wearing it...

**nell67** · 01-17-2008, 06:22 PM

OUCH! Thats gonna hurt Tony,I'd leave it at home if I were you LMAO!

**Tony uk** · 01-17-2008, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by trax

Start using a megaphone any place I'm at in the bush and you're gonna be wearing it home. You won't like where you're wearing it...

Yep, when you come after me and i rambo you, i will take your skull as a prize and glue the megaphone on it and use it as a hat

And it will be lovely

**wildWoman** · 01-17-2008, 07:44 PM

Renting a satellite phone would be a good option, in my opinion. That way you can make a choice in an emergency what course of action to take. With an emergency locator, they'll "just" come and rescue you. But with a sat phone there's also the option of letting people know you're just delayed, or what sort of assistance you need. It would also be a cheaper option than a locator.

**Elkchsr** · 01-17-2008, 08:16 PM

There isn't a lot of cell coverage in the Rockies (to many hills to block signals)

So, carring one is like bringing a gun for self protection

(the guns nick name is an iron 'Teddy Bear'

When I know I'm going to be high, I do like to pack one just to see if it'll work up there

**Rick** · 01-17-2008, 08:48 PM

Wow man, like, if you know you're going to be high, you should, like, call your friends so we can party. And leave Teddy Bear some place safe, man.

**Elkchsr** · 01-17-2008, 11:59 PM

Uh OH... !!!

Ricks getting board and following me around...

**Smok** · 01-18-2008, 02:08 AM

I do not know what it is called , but a friend has a radio that can talk to air traffic . He used it in Alaska he said most times there is a plane in the air he could reach . But this is to be used only in emergence .

**Rick** · 01-18-2008, 08:10 AM

Actually, the emergency locater listed does more than just contact 911. That's one of the things I liked about it. It wasn't very expensive either. I don't know compared to a satellite phone because I've never owned one.

**Sarge47** · 01-18-2008, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by Rick

Actually, the emergency locater listed does more than just contact 911. That's one of the things I liked about it. It wasn't very expensive either. I don't know compared to a satellite phone because I've never owned one.

Satellite phone? How do you get to it if it's in orbit?