[at-l] satellite phones & GPS

[nealb at midlandstech.edu (William Neal)]

You've never hiked with me.  I am prone to Daniel Booneitis: "I've never
been lost, but I've been a mite bewildered for a few days." Attributed to
Daniel Boone.  And sometimes when I give directions I can get people lost:
Like the time I gave the Lt. Gov. of S.C. directions to a nearby swimming
pool.  When he passed the next corner, I realized he missed understood which
corner to turn at and in which direction.  Or maybe I did not make myself
clear. ;-) Anyway, I ran (I was much younger then).

As to why: I don't carry a GPS.  But knowing specifically where you are
might help you if you absolutely have to be at X on such-and-such a day and
time.  For example, if you have to meet someone or if you have to pick up
essential meds.  Or if you have to fly home for a wedding, etc.  

Besides, they're neat gadgets.  And most males have gadgetitis.  

William, The Turtle

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim and/or Ginny Owen [mailto:spiriteagle99@hotmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2003 9:05 AM
To: Loves2hikeAT@aol.com
Cc: at-l@backcountry.net
Subject: [at-l] satellite phones & GPS


Brad wrote:
>Has anyone taken a satellite phone for emergencies on the AT, Maine & White

>Mtns in particular?

Brad -
I don't carry anything like that, but I'd think for the Whites a cell phone 
might work - and would be a lot lighter.  Three weeks ago, I watched a group

in the Canadian Rockies trying to connect with their satellite phone.  
Notice - I said "try".  I wasn't impressed by either the weight or the 
performance - and neither were they.  YMMV

>Also, any good GPS info?

I believe the AT has been mapped by GPS - the results will probably be 
available lin the near future.  The only question in my mind is why one 
would need GPS on the AT.  The AT doesn't exactly present any major (or even

minor) navigation problems.

Walk softly,
Jim

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