|
|
Post by cweston on Oct 1, 2020 6:09:35 GMT -8
I've noticed a fair number of folks carry them carabinered to the outside of their pack somewhere. Makes sense--if you are unconscious (or dead, although that renders the point somewhat moot), someone trying to help might be able to figure out on their own that you have a PLB.
I've always carried it deep in the bottom of the pocket I put little things in. I really hate things on the outside of my pack, and I guess I figure the advantage described above is a pretty far-fetched scenario. If I were completely incapacitated, and if there were another human around who is not my hiking partner (because I always tell my hiking partner where I keep my PLB), and if I were unable to somehow utter the three syllables "PLB" to this person, then yeah, it'd be better for the thing to be visible. But at a certain point...
|
|
|
|
Post by trinity on Oct 1, 2020 6:45:27 GMT -8
My InReach is one of the few things that I keep clipped to the outside of my pack. I clip it to the shoulder strap, below the padding, and clip the lanyard into my sternum strap, in case it comes unclipped (which has happened, and is potentially a disaster for a number of reasons, but mainly for my wife panicking if I were to suddenly stop sending in "I'm okay" messages).
For me the primary issue in where I carry my InReach is not visibility; it is accessibility. Most of my hikes are solo, and far from other people. If something goes wrong, I want to be able to lay my hands on it quickly and easily, without having to remove my pack and dig around inside. I don't disagree with all your ifs, but the likelihood of my ever really needing the thing is a pretty big if in the first place. Since I'm going to the trouble and expense of bringing along an insurance package, I want to maximize the possibility of my being able to utilize it, should this if ever arise.
|
|
zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,876 
|
Post by zeke on Oct 1, 2020 6:59:08 GMT -8
When I carry it, it resides in a hipbelt pocket. For some reason, I don't carry it always. If there are 3 or more of us, I see less need for it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Coolkat on Oct 1, 2020 7:42:15 GMT -8
I carry mine in the hood or brain or whatever you want call it. That is where I keep all my quick access items... water purifier, first aide kit, tp, etc..
I just had to do the 2 year renewal this spring with NOAA. Also did a test on it this spring to make sure it was still working. I guess I can renew it again in 2 more years but the battery is only guaranteed for 5 at which I point I'll see what it takes to get the battery replaced or even if it's possible.
|
|
almostthere
Trail Wise!
putting on my hiking shoes....
Posts: 696 
|
Post by almostthere on Oct 1, 2020 7:55:13 GMT -8
I clip the InReach to the side of the pack. If I go for a day hike or something I clip it to me. If I'm driving in areas without cellular coverage it goes in the car.
I know backpackers who keep their 10 essentials with them no matter what, because things can and do happen even if you're just going for a "short walk." I don't tend to be that alarmist, but.... I still observe the doings of SAR tho I'm no longer active myself. And it's not a rare thing for a "short walk" to end with a three or four day search for the hiker. A more recent example was the couple who went for a walk near Point Reyes, who got stuck in the bottom of a brush filled canyon, in an area that was remarkably close to Inverness.
|
|
BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 12,911
|
Post by BigLoad on Oct 1, 2020 20:43:42 GMT -8
Hipbelt pocket for me, or less often in the lid pocket. |
|
|
|
Post by JRinGeorgia on Oct 2, 2020 8:17:21 GMT -8
Used to be attached to a shoulder strap, now in a hip belt pocket. Definitely want it immediately accessible.
|
|
Westy
Trail Wise!
Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
Posts: 1,952
|
Post by Westy on Oct 2, 2020 9:48:30 GMT -8
A quick tap on my standard gear shakedown ensures it's there. I use the "old" InReasch SE. The Garmin SE or Explorer is slightly larger. The mini require a cell phone so I prefer redundancy. As for carabiner on exterior of pack.....I can't stand anything dangling from my pack. |
|
|
|
Post by High Sierra Fan on Oct 2, 2020 9:52:19 GMT -8
My strictly emergency beacon ACR PLB was in my pack lid or shoulder pocket
My replacement Garmin 66i is always in my shoulder pocket or summit pack when away from camp as it’s both navigation and communicator.
|
|
almostthere
Trail Wise!
putting on my hiking shoes....
Posts: 696
|
Post by almostthere on Oct 2, 2020 11:30:23 GMT -8
It actually doesn't require a cell phone. It's just a hell of a lot easier to use with one. But you can text without a cell phone with the mini. |
|
Westy
Trail Wise!
Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
Posts: 1,952
|
Post by Westy on Oct 3, 2020 4:53:15 GMT -8
almostthereyou can text without a cell phone with the mini. Thanks for the response and explanation.
|
|
rangewalker
Trail Wise!
Agitate, organize and educate.
Posts: 1,029
|
Post by rangewalker on Oct 3, 2020 17:18:05 GMT -8
PLB on or in my pants. SpotX clipped into the shoulder straps of the pack or together with XR iphone. I can live without the sat messenger always at the ready. I trust the PLB hiking "anytime-anywhere" more for emergency signal, them follow up with Spotx. I will sleep with the PLB but at night the messenger is shut off after the evening "I am okay" to partner and family.
Conversation with an area Sheriff Office that covers my area and east Yellowstone reports they are really pleased with the 2020 widespread use of the Garmin InReach products in the backcountry and among some highway travelers. They have been able to de-escalate emergencies or better direct SAR resources For their own use, they like like the SpotX better. Easier to broadcast SMS text and email from an IC or office to groups.
|
|
|
|
Post by cweston on Oct 3, 2020 17:38:42 GMT -8
Conversation with an area Sheriff Office that covers my area and east Yellowstone reports they are really pleased with the 2020 widespread use of the Garmin InReach products in the backcountry and among some highway travelers. They have been able to de-escalate emergencies or better direct SAR resources For their own use, they like like the SpotX better. Easier to broadcast SMS text and email from an IC or office to groups. Right. I carry an old-school PLB, a choice that I made for a very specific reason.* But I can definitely see the advantage of the SpotX or InReach once SAR has been alerted--if one were able, one could give them actual information about the nature of the emergency, whereas with a PLB, all they know is "man down." *My reasons: 1) My spouse has made it clear that she really has no interest in tracking my daily location or any of those "extra" features. We've managed just fine separated with no communication during my BPing trips all these years, so we have a groove that works for us. I would like to think that she worries about me at least a little when I'm off the grid, but apparently only a little  2) The "I'm OK" button function is really cool, but I worry inordinately that I would forget, or that I'd lose or damage the device, and then I think she really would worry. Since she seems perfectly comfortable not receiving these communications, I've decide to just take yes for an answer. Aside: When my parents were alive, I used to worry inordinately about one of them having an emergency or dying while I was off the grid. It may sound silly, but now that they are both gone, I don't worry about "things back home" very much anymore, which is nice. I did have a strange dream recently, in the backcountry, that my sister had died, which was creepy. She and I are not particularly close, but I did text her shortly after returning to civilization, just to make sure. |
|
rangewalker
Trail Wise!
Agitate, organize and educate.
Posts: 1,029
|
Post by rangewalker on Oct 5, 2020 4:46:39 GMT -8
We've managed just fine separated with no communication during my BPing trips all these years, so we have a groove that works for us. I would like to think that she worries about me at least a little when I'm off the grid, but apparently only a little I left out the biggest advantage from my experience with a satellite messenger, and one that has been used almost every multi-day trip, is "change in plans". I leave a detailed trip itinerary with my anchors, with maps, drop dead time out, and the little stuff that they could forward to SAR or they maybe helping me with a shuttle. Planning is great but plans can go wrong when they hit the trail, or no trail was found, and what should have been a day section turns into a day-n-half. Your partners can have their own life events and send you good wishes but ask if you have enough food and water to hold over for a bit.  |
|
almostthere
Trail Wise!
putting on my hiking shoes....
Posts: 696
|
Post by almostthere on Oct 5, 2020 8:21:33 GMT -8
The two way communication was particularly useful to inform decision making when the Creek Fire blew up overnight. We went from "so there's a little smoke" to "well, since 168 is closed, do we go back to the car, or do we leave to the east side?" We left to the east side. It's been a month. The car is still up there. I probably would have been in a helicopter, and my gear would also still be out there for the elements to destroy, because you don't get rescued with gear. Small victories are still victories.
Not so long ago, my ACR suited me just fine. Slow, inconsistent two way communication in the era of fire tornadoes, fires that grow 100,000 acres in a day, and change-on-a-dime evacuation orders and forest closures seems like a reasonable evolution. The most useful thing in the situation was being able to text a deputy.
|
|
