spot

[Florian]

I hate snakes too, but the other day on the trail I came across a rattler that someone had killed and just left there on the trail....oddly upsetting.

That's horrible! When i come across rattlesnakes i use a stick to carefully move them off the trail exactly because some morons think they should be killed.

-Florian

[zippetydude]

I have had too many close calls, and almost been bit more than once. I came across a guy in Loma Linda not too long ago that would have died if he had not been extremely lucky and received a dry bite. It was a big rattler and he was an hour hike from the parking lot (where I met him).

I'm afraid I've moved into moron status!

I understand if you're of the alternate persuasion. Many intelligent, reasonable people are. Alan makes a very good case that every time humans intervene with any ecological system, they don't improve it, they screw it up. I mostly agree.

But...grizzly bears were hunted to extinction in California, and I am quite happy about that. The Sierras (or Sierra, if I understand Hikin' Jim to be correct - and I never doubt him on the details!) would be a very different place if grizzlies were still there. I personally feel it's a much better place without them.

My garage is inhabited by black widow spiders, and although I kill them to the best of my ability, they keep showing up. I would like my garage better without them. And so it goes.

I have this rule: If a creature will kill me without intentional provocation on my part, then I am quite willing to reciprocate. It doesn't have to be smart enough to understand me, it doesn't have to have evil intent. It merely has to have the will and the ability to kill me.

z

[physicslord]

UMMM....back to the topic. Take your snake bickering elsewhere.



So how do you send a text message with the spot. All I see is big orange hockey puck. Where is the screen? Do you have to connect it to a phone?

[FIGHT ON]

UMMM....back to the topic. Take your snake bickering elsewhere.



So how do you send a text message with the spot. All I see is big orange hockey puck. Where is the screen? Do you have to connect it to a phone?

Found this on you tube. sounds like you can't text like you could from a phone.

[zippetydude]

I admit to accidentally hijacking the thread - I don't admit to bickering! I think Florian is a very decent guy and look forward to meeting him - a difference of opinion isn't a problem, it's a point of interest. Still, I'll start a different thread if the thought holds further interest.

About the Spot, we still haven't heard from Walt. His reception seemed really good, but Hikin' Jim had a different impression. I'd be curious to hear the actual reception in this area. I admit that I do really like the idea that there is no fee after purchasing the PLB.

z

[FIGHT ON]

I admit to accidentally hijacking the thread - I don't admit to bickering! I think Florian is a very decent guy and look forward to meeting him - a difference of opinion isn't a problem, it's a point of interest. Still, I'll start a different thread if the thought holds further interest.

About the Spot, we still haven't heard from Walt. His reception seemed really good, but Hikin' Jim had a different impression. I'd be curious to hear the actual reception in this area. I admit that I do really like the idea that there is no fee after purchasing the PLB.

z

yeah, plb, someone told me a ham radio is better than all these things. said reception is better no matter where you are. it's just as small, just as waterproof, just as light! you need a license though. I'm gonna check that out too.

[Ellen]

Howdy All

Back from backpacking 13 days on the John Muir trail (mostly). We went in from Mammoth over Duck Pass, came out over Kearsarge pass, and averaged about 10 miles a day. The JMT is both beautiful and arduous. I don't think my fused lower back and fair skin are cut out for long backpacking trips

My camera died on day two but my friends took great pictures. I'm still catching up but will post a trip report soon.

I carried a SPOT and am impressed with the results. Several hiking friends from this forum followed our progress down the JMT. Fortunately, we didn't have to use either the "911" or "Help" feature.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[FIGHT ON]

Howdy All

Back from backpacking 13 days on the John Muir trail (mostly). We went in from Mammoth over Duck Pass, came out over Kearsarge pass, and averaged about 10 miles a day. The JMT is both beautiful and arduous. I don't think my fused lower back and fair skin are cut out for long backpacking trips

My camera died on day two but my friends took great pictures. I'm still catching up but will post a trip report soon.

I carried a SPOT and am impressed with the results. Several hiking friends from this forum followed our progress down the JMT. Fortunately, we didn't have to use either the "911" or "Help" feature.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

everybody I talk to says it has a weak signal. and it doesn't work everywhere.
would be unlucky if you needed it in one of those areas. Any spots where it didn't work?

[magikwalt]

Okay I'm awake. I have a SPOT and like it. You can send 3 types of messages with it. An I'm Okay msg, I Need Help Family/Friends, and 911 Distress. All the messages are done in advance. You cannot type up a message from your location to say you have been attacked by a bear. It also has another mode you can pay for that allows you to turn on tracking which can be monitored via a web page. Every 10-15 minutes it will update your position and keep it visible for up to 24 hours. This solves the problem of locating a body that has fallen and can't get up. One guy used it to get his lost SPOT back by simply going to the house where it was taken to.

The messages can be sent in one of two formats. Text message or email. Text gives your message and the coordinates. Email gives the same plus a link to Google maps that pinpoints the position from where the fix was taken. My wife travels a bit and when she gets a message she opens the link and knows which trail I am hiking that day. If I set tracking mode she can log into a website and follow the progress.

The Family/Friends email I use says something like "I need your help ASAP. I don't need 911 at this time or else I would have pushed that button." The owner of the unit is responsible for any charges for services rendered by emergency responders if the 911 button is pushed.

Two men that I work with are involved with Air Force SAR. Both are pilots and one is the local area commander or something. After discussions with them I chose to purchase a SPOT over the beacon. Every message I have sent from the SPOT has gotten thru. I can test it in the parking lot before I depart by sending an I am okay msg and seeing it hit my phone. Once you hit the 911 button your position is updated every 10 minutes for the next 24 hours.

By having the Family/Friends help button I can summon someone other than 911 if need be. All the same function you would use in the wilderness are in effect for city use.

For me it works. If anyone would like an example of the email send me a PM with your email address and I will program one out to you.

[FIGHT ON]

This solves the problem of locating a body that has fallen and can't get up.

wonder if this would work.