John Donovan

[guest]

Thanks for these links Jim, this is a puzzling story indeed. Looking at the PCT section where it heads more east and west, (after the long switchbacks coming up from Snow Creek), there are a couple areas the trail makes really long "detours" around drainage and small canyons, (I'd guess 3-4k ft. elevation in that area). I've not hiked that section, but always thought it would be interesting to try and avoid at least one, (and wondering if others already have), where the trail heads very far north, before coming all the way back south. That terrain can get gnarly with big, crumbly boulders, cactus, over-growth etc., I use to regularly hike straight up from Snow Creek to hit the PCT, sometimes crossing over it, until I hit it again, further up).

Well, maybe it's time for me to get some type of plb, as I do most of my hiking, (and mt biking), along. Was having discussion w other mt bikers yesterday about a rescue in Chino Hills SP a couple weeks ago, where a biker had to be rescued who was lost, (the mustard is over 6 ft. tall and very dense), hot, out of water, called 911, who sent a What3words ap link to his phone. This shows 3 meter squares all over, (the world?), and they were able to find him, very interesting, his the story, and accompanying video.

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/southe ... ded-biker/

Funny, the chopper hovered over a group at a picnic stop, with 2 SAR's guys hanging out the door, giving up a thumbs up, then down, (asking if we were ok, thinking maybe the biker was with us).
scott

[Ed]

Never heard of What3words. I assume it relies on a cell phone connection? Or does it connect with a satellite network?

I use an old SPOT II Messenger. Not as full-featured as Garmin InReach, but less expensive. I like the OK button, which PLB's do not have. So nobody triggers an unnecessary SAR operation if I am running late. I can think of a number of situations where the best thing to do is hunker down for the night, but you are confident you can walk out the next morning.

[guest]

Good points Ed, and thanks for the clarification on these 2 units. I'm wondering how that ap? can allow SAR's to get GPS coordinates. I'm sure someone on here may know more.

[OtherHand]

What Three Words is an ingenious methodology that just hasn't caught on. Too bad, because for the public that isn't GPS savvy it's a simple way to accurately convey location, without error. While it's available as an app for phones, I'm unaware of any GPS units that have it built in.

As an example, here are the GPS coords for the middle of Hidden Lake: 33.799683, -116.641220. That's a lot of numbers to have to relay for a lost person who may know zero about GPS. And of course the datum issue.

However using W3W it becomes studying.skews.corner. Not only is it easier to relay, it can actually be remembered.

While I think it's better suited for non-GPS users, I am aware of at least one instance where a SAR copter went to a slightly wrong location because when the GPS location was passed to them, they transposed one of the coord numbers.

At first glance W3W seems sorta dumb, but if given some thought, it's amazing.

[Ed]

So, as I understand it, the What3Words app reads the GPS chip on your phone to determine your location, accurate to 3 meters, and gives you a unique three word code for it. Which you then verbally provide via your phone to 911, or whoever you are talking with? So you do need a cell phone connection. But I thought that if you call 911 on a smart phone these days, they automatically get your GPS coordinates.

Evidently, some UK SAR people don't care for it, reasons given in the Wikipedia writeup below. But I am not sure what alternative they have in mind.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What3words