Cell service on the CT

imported
#1

Is it worth carrying one?

Pi N K’ache

#2

Verizon works well around the half way part of the trail. I just tested mine around Little Baldy, Razor Creek, and Lujan pass and it worked in all locations. Probably best to only turn it on at higher altitudes where there is a better chance of a signal (to save battery). I tried AT&T with no luck except at Monarch Pass. APPLE

APPLE

#3

After about a mile in there is little to no verizon service on segments 1 and 2. I got service at the highway at the end of segment 2 briefly. WOOFER

woofer

#4

Absolutely not! Even if it would work, why would you want it? So others could help you out of a jam? To call for reservations before town visits? In case you got lonely? Just because …?

I thought we went on thru-hikes to find adventure, not drag our regular lives into the woods. The one thing I’ve learned from many years of long-distance hiking is that the less I take, the more I discover.

Matt

#5

Different people hike for different reasons, and with different extenuating circumstances. ‘Your’ hike may be better hiked without a cell phone, but you should not judge others who choose to hike their own hike. So, hike you own hike Matt

iHike

#6

Just sharing the opinion that was asked of me.

Matt

#7

So others can help you out of a “jam”? Well, Yeah.

One of this year’s CDT thru hikers broke an ankle LAST WEEK while trying to negotiate a downed tree in the Gila Wilderness north of Silver City, NM. He was trapped in the open in an unprotected location and unable to even get to shade. He was carrying a Spot and pressed the 911 key several times. Rescuers were there within a few hours. A Spot is not a cell phone, but this incident illustrates that communications can be a lifesaver. (I doubt that a cell phone would have worked there.) Story is online in the “Silver City Sun” if you are interested. (www.scsun-news.com - do a search for “rescue”.

Of the 5 times I have done the CT I only carried a cell phone once. The time I tried to use it - to set up a meeting with someone who was resupplying us, it did not work. For the most part, it was a waste to carry it. It was handy when I got to Denver for calling someone to pick us up, though. I probably would carry it again with the battery out for emergencies if I didn’t have something better.

The CT is heavily traveled. If a phone doesn’t work in a medical emergency I would suggest setting your tent up on the trail and waiting. Somebody will come along soon. ON THE TRAIL is the key. A hiker died a year ago in the Weminuche of a medical emergency a few hundred yards from a trail. He was found months later by hunters in November and had starved to death. I’ll bet he would have appreciated “others helping him out of a jam”.

bearcreek