Cell phones on the JMT

imported
#1

What cell phones/plans/networks work best along the JMT. I’d like to take one for emergency situations.

J

#2

Without getting into the whole cellphone debate, I don’t think I would bother carrying one. Most of the time you are a looooooooooong way from civilization, and will have absolutely no coverage, and it will just be wasted weight. But as remote as the JMT is, there are always plenty of hikers around. Even in the more remote sections, we always saw several other hikers each day. I think you could get help if you needed it, as long as you did not stray too far from the trail.

If you decide to carry a phone anyway, just in case, I think Verizon has reasonable coverage up and down the 395 corridor, and a few places within Yosemite (such as Tuolumne Meadows). There might also be coverage at Red’s Meadow (close to 395), but I never tried it there. Other than that, you can compare the coverage maps, but I don’t think anyone even claims to cover anything other than the narrow strip along 395 . . . venture into the hills and I think you are on your own.

kanga

#6

If – for whatever reason – you want to be able to remain in phone contact, satellite is the way to go. You can rent a satellite phone for ~$40/week plus ~$1.50/minute for airtime used. There are any number of vendors on the Internet. A Globalstar GSP-1600 is the size of an early '90s cell phone and weighs about a pound. You have to be in the open as opposed to in the trees (not much of an issue on the JMT), but otherwise, getting a signal and connecting is not likely to be a problem.

Snowbird

#7

I must admit I’m a little appalled. PLEASE… for starters who in there right mind could think that you’d get any sort of coverage on the JMT (besides the trailhead parking lots) Look at a map for Pete’s sake. Cell systems are terrestrial networks… yeah, the ½ doz. Network operators in the area are going to spend 30 mil each (which is about what it would cost) to deploy, what I would guess would be a network of a minimum of 100 radio-base-stations (cell sites), not to mention power issues (there is none) oh, and then there micro wave back hauls unless you want to run oh, I’d guess 1000 milts of T1 thur the Sierra… all to enable maybe 500 subscribers (people) a year to place a few calls of which they ‘might’ be able to bill you for roaming… ha.

please…

I just dropped onto the JMT for a day this week while on a 5 day loop in Kings Canyon. After climbing 4.5k out of the trailhead in Big Pine, then mostly dry-tooling my way over South Fork pass (no trial, rotten ice, rock and scree) and then dropping, again off-trail another 2k down to the Palisade Lakes I can think of nothing more repulsive as to see some yuppie weekend warrior talking to his BMW mechanic on a cell phone.

I would have to predict that faced with the situation I’d put my crampons to even better use than the pass and crush the thing.

We have enough technology in this world. We also have enough of our lives pasteurized and homogenized to the extent that in most the non-back country US we don’t even have to take responsibility for ourselves or our own actions.

Leave the phone at home…

Snaxpax

#10

Well contraversy aside, I carry a small phone with an antenna that I made myself. I usually get a signal if I’m on a peak, and sometimes when I’m on the passes in the Sierras. The antenna I made slips over the cell phone and usually gives me an extra bar of reception, which is often enought to make a call. I really don’t care what other people think about carrying a cell phone in the backcountry. I have my reasons, none have to do with safety. I just like to call my wife from time to time and say hello. She doesn’t hike, but likes to get a call now and then when I’m out.

Phones probably don’t work at many places along the JMT, but I know that AT&T service works on Bear Ridge Near Vermillion Valley Resort, or on the Dam near Edison Lake. Also they work in the vicinity of Yosemite Valley, Possably near Donahue Pass if you get high enough. Split Mtn. near Mather Pass. Forrester Pass might work. Whitney Summit does get AT&T service.

Cell Phones should not be viewed as an emergency phone because the likelyhood of getting a signal when you would need one is like having a cop around when one is needed. Not often! But, if your like me and have your own reasons for having one than do what ever you want.

For those of you who want to call me names for carrying my phone, I laugh at you :lol, chill out, I’m going to enjoy my hike this summer and what you think about how I go about my enjoyment means nothing to me.

Peace be with you
Thinair^^^

Thinair

#11

Good luck using a cell phone on the JMT. I took one and am very glaf that I did. I used it to call the nice people at Vermilion, they came right over and picked up five of us (hiking seperately). It was the only place I used the phone and pretty sure it was the only spot I could have used it (due to Vermilion being close to a power station/dam). Other than that, I detest the damn things.

Ross

Ross