I will be starting my thru hike in 2005. My mom, for safety reasons, wants me to bring along a cell phone, something that I really do not want to do. But I am thinking that I might do that just to make her feel more at ease with me being out there. Is this really necessary? How practicle would a cell phone be? Are there other ways to make her feel more at ease? I would apprieciate any ideas.
jonisonecooldude
Use of cell phones on the AT is a hot button topic. But, if your mother insists, then leave it turned off and let it migrate to the bottom of your pack.
Peaks
Getting a signal is sporadic at best and usually your best chance is when you’re near a town. I take one just in case when section hiking, but leave it turned off. I’m glad I had it a few weeks ago when we had to bail out at Stecoah Gap due to my buddy’s blisters by calling The Hike Inn for a shuttle. If you DO use it every now and then to check in with your mom, walk away from any group of hikers you’re around so no one gets offended.
Nooga
I say do what ever you fell like doing while on the trail. I carry a cell phone when I hike so I can check in with my wife every now and then. Why that offends anyone is beyond me! There are much worse offensive behaviors on the trail. Have a great time!!! Your mom will be real excited to hear from you. Family is #1 in my book of priorities…:happy
Thinair
Sorry if I get a little long-winded here…
I didnt want to take one either, but when it came to taking it or not hiking, I took it. I had/have issues dealing with government agencies, and it wasnt practical to spend gobs of money on phone cards that would be used to sit on hold… especially when they need numbers to reach me at.
I only used my cell phone in two situations - late at night (7 pm) in my tent to check on voicemails (on the rare occasion that I even got reception), and at major road crossings and civilization visits. My need was to make business calls and keep tabs on what was going on while I was away. Thats what it was used for.
Well, that and the one time I called my boyfriend to have him pick me up a cheeseburger when he came to visit.
As for why people get annoyed… one person I met on the trail could be used as an example as to why people dislike them. He talked LOUDLY on his phone, all day and night, anytime he got reception. He would pull it out in the middle of the shelter and start dialing friends and family while talking to you, then cut you off when they answered. He would get mad and yell at the people on the other end of the line because they would try to hold a real conversation when he was getting crappy reception (dont yell at mom for wanting to talk when YOU called HER). Bottom line - it had nothing to do with the cell phone and everything to do with a lack of consideration for others human beings in general.
If you do take the phone, let folks at home know that you wont always get good reception and that you may call just to say “I’m alive” and not be able to say much more than that, due to people trying to sleep or crappy reception. Give them realistic expectations - you wont be calling home every night, and you wont be able to hear all the family gossip every time you call. Tell them its a safetly device (whether it is or not, lets not debate that… my dad feels that it is, so it is, even if it isnt… you know?) and it is to be used in ‘civilization’ and in case of emergencies. That way you arent tied to the phone, and they feel better about things.
Thats my view on it, at least… man, I talk a lot.
Peak-a-Boo
I had a phone with me for my entire thru-hike. It was especially useful for making arrangements as I neared trail towns. If you keep it turned off when not in use and use it away from others, nobody need be offended. As others have noted, obtaining service can be problematic. To me, radios and loud snorers at shelters disturb more people than cell phones…
Lonestar
I find cell phones necessary to me because of my age. I have a father that is 95. It seems now that deaths are all to frequent among friends and family. On a trek last Oct. from the Appalachian Trail Station in NY to the VT border I was stopped midway at Great Barrington, MA by a phone call informing me that my sister-in-law had died. If I were younger I would not carry it, but it is obvious that I have to. I think it is best to believe that everyone resents the phones, and use them only when you know you are alone and will not disturb anyone.
Ka-Bar
no need, and this is a chance to simplify life. i am just waiting for them to make dvds lightwieght, then we can have all the comforts of home. the arguments for cell phones are numerous, it is obviously an item of convienience. but for me it comes down to the fact that i can do without it. thats a nice break.
in the event of emergency, remember, and remind your momma, that the trail is so well traveled and crosses so many roads that word would get out very quick. for instance, if you sit on the trail in peak season you would be lucky to get an hour of solitude. and so the same would apply if you were injured.
plus i am sort of a grumpy old man in a young mans body. they are obnoxious.
milo
Hi…I’m going to add my two cents worth here. I agree, take the phone & don’t use it hardly @ all. Use it for emergencies only. Or to reassure mom once every 3-5days. ON the OTHER side of the debate:For many yrs I’ve gone to a “retreat center” run by some Monks to get away from all the rat race. When I was there, I seldom called anyone (via phone or ph.card) or if I did; it was maybe 1x per trip. AND by the end of my time there, I usually felt a strong sense of being centered & slowed down. But now I do take my cell phone w/me. And I use it…AND I def feel less of a sense of that kind of slowed down peace. Good luck whatever you do.There are pro’s & cons both ways. :girl
Lady Love
I liked my cell phone. I would put it on vibrate and stick it down in my pants. Then I would go to another phone and call myself.
Virginian
Vriginian, that is a good idea. It’s too bad you can’t find a real guy to help you with that. By the way, does your name have anything to do with this, or is it just coincidence? :lol :lol :lol
katahdinorbust
Well, first, I am a real guy. Second I spelled my own name wrong and third it sounded pretty funny when I was writing it down. I guess its like driving too fast. Its exciting until you wreck.
Virginian
true, true, i do suppose all those nights out in the woods can get quite lonely :happy :happy
katahdinorbust
I will be arriving to walk the trail from Israel, “land of buses and restaurants”, my daughter and friends will be here. For itself that’s more then enough.
zammy
Hey Joe Bring it you’ll need it to order pizza near the 501 shelter just don’t go walking down the trail chatting on it and never get a call at a shelter it makes me cringe to hear that. and get your ass on the trail so you can make trail daze.
Feral
I carry one but leave it turned off, and I only use it if I need to, and then not around any other hikers.
Mini-Mosey
Yes it is your bussiness to take it and to use it, but please all who carry be aware of others around you. I fear that cell phones will be so common place in the woods that soon they will be the same as they are around town. Everybody will have one shoved up in their ear and talking that one sided conversation that bothers all of us. I guess society is changing We are so smart,but then so were the Romans
Virginian
I have been section hiking the AT since 1978. We seemed to manage fine before we started to “need” phones attached to us. We knew we had to depend on our own skills and lean on each other while on the AT. I smile sometimes when I think about a young man I ran into on the AT a couple of years ago who’s stove would not work and he did not know how to make a fire to heat his water…we seem to be losing so much. Even thought it is extra weight, I agree with many who have said bring a cell phone if it brings you or a loved one comfort. Just respect others when you use it. I believe the best practice is to remove yourself from people and make the call, keep it on vibrate if you are waiting for a call from home… With video phones in use it will be even more important to respect other hikers. Sending video of others without their knowledge is going to cause more frustration on the AT hike experience. I also think the experience of removing yourself from the daily concerns of home life is healthy and important to your hike. I know people who have used a cell phone to get help on the AT in an emergency and am happy they were able to call…I still wish their were no cell phones on the AT to ring loud tunes at me when I am quietly listening to nature, or have just found a wonderful person to chat with about the days hike at a shelter and the phone rings and changes the mood or stops the conversation or my thoughts in the register are read to the “outside” world. I also find some people yell and curse when they are on their cell phone and I find it so sad to be out in the woods with peace only to have the cell phone user destroy it all. Life on the AT was so different a few years ago…I miss the freedom it onced offered. So many people on the AT…so many phones…to little respect for others.
Treehugger