mrchad9 wrote:To me that is indeed the primary value of one of these devices, though I guess it only applies to a SPOT and not a PLB. Allowing family, friends, or nobodies on the internet to following along when you are either on a weekend overnight or a wicked trip in Alaska, Peru, or wherever. Primarily something to play with.
Of course they are rescue devices too, and I don’t hold it against anyone at all who brings them for that ‘just in case’ purpose. It makes perfect sense for some folks. I just don’t happen to use them or even know anyone personally who uses them for that purpose. And I don't think I would ever take one for that purpose.
It also makes just as much sense not to use them. It is a personal preference. A couple of weeks ago I was out on a 4th class ridge in the Sierra. I had jumped on doing this route at effectively the very last minute when I saw what the weather might be like. As it happens as I was throwing all my crap together I forgot to bring any beta describing the route. I’d read it slightly but not a full description and nothing useful. Also, and I suppose more importantly, I had forgotten to leave my itinerary with anyone. Well sometimes this happens.
So there I am on this ridge, and it has a couple of real exposed moves but not too bad. And it did involve a lot of routefinding thanks to my not bringing any information along. It wasn’t quite as simple as ‘stick to the ridge’.
Anyway it ended up being a spectacular experience, far better than if I had done it any other way. Of course, I wouldn’t have been reckless or endangered myself if I had been there with a SPOT, or given someone my itinerary, or had a couple of competent partners along. But it was certainly a different experience up there in total silence. Late October, no one around for miles and only one other car at one of the busiest trailheads in the Sierra (in summer). I knew even the slightest mistake could likely be tragic, even if I triped on the talus (or is it scree?) on the approach, never mind on the ridge! Any slip and it would be days before I was located… or maybe even next spring. But to have my mind empty with no other thought than concentrating on what I was doing… it was the best! And I wouldn’t have traded it for anything. I was happy it worked out that way.
And still… sitting there by a stream running through a meadow, sending out that ‘OK’ signal and knowing someone is logging on to check it out online… well that’s the best too.
I know what you mean all around, especially regarding preference, but I'll reiterate that using the SPOT to check in has become mindless for me. It rarely causes much thought and is never a distraction. It is used when I'm already in the midst of retrieving/using other items I've brought along. If it seems a bother or unnecessary on a given outing, I might only check in once that day or not even bring it along. For a small fee, it can be set to automatically send messages (timing, complexity, and $ vary by model). My wife doesn't consider my checking in with it just playing around, even on dayhikes.
Your time/frequency/experience and skill in the mountains has grown beyond mine and your responsibility outside of the mountains seems less than mine, but I understand and have lived the experience you described. Maybe it is largely due to wife & kids, but my frequency of making mistakes on leaving a solid itinerary has lessened (even with the SPOT as backup).
This seems redundant, but what several posts are getting at is that if a tragedy/significant accident/major error occurs and kills/maims/delays you, people will eventually be looking for you. It might just be SAR folks you don't know, a few friends, and maybe some SPers, but if you go missing, people will look for you and will hope to find you quickly. Some folks have had huge search efforts turn up nothing over weeks, months, or years. SPOT or PLB, and a solid itinerary obviously can be of help. Carrying a PLB/SPOT could be viewed as being more responsible than not carrying one.