3 men stranded on Grand Mesa

[sevenmacs]

Everyone should have a SPOT with them when riding. If you can't afford one then maybe you should stay home or at least never leave the trail. This year they were $ 99.00 after rebate and $ 99.00 a year to monitor. A small cost for your safety. Most of all people need to take snowmobiling a little more seriously, its not a walk in the park, things can go wrong real fast.

It appears that the riders that were lost at Snowy Range didn't even have a GPS. Because of it they spent 2 nights, had a ell phone and were in communication with S&R but didn't even know where they were.

Riders need to be a little more responsible, or pretty soon they're are going to be held accountable for their actions, S&R isn't cheap.
This may sound harse but getting lost or stranded isn't the issue it can happen, but not being prepared in not acceptable.

 

[Ex-Member]

Everyone should have a SPOT with them when riding. If you can't afford one then maybe you should stay home or at least never leave the trail. This year they were $ 99.00 after rebate and $ 99.00 a year to monitor. A small cost for your safety. Most of all people need to take snowmobiling a little more seriously, its not a walk in the park, things can go wrong real fast.

Eh, I disagree with you on that. Knowing your limits and staying within them is more important than relying on a $100 piece of equipment and someone on the other end to get you out of a bad place. Carrying the right survival gear and knowing how to use what you have can make the outcome better.

Absolutely pack the basic stuff, map of the area and a compass, and know how to use them. Be able to triangulate your position on a topo map. Firestarters, signaling devices, etc as well.

All the electronic stuff is just gravy, but they depend on batteries and batteries often die at the worst possible time.

As the boy scouts say... Be Prepared.

 

[black swan]

prepared?

Eh, I disagree with you on that. Knowing your limits and staying within them is more important than relying on a $100 piece of equipment and someone on the other end to get you out of a bad place. Carrying the right survival gear and knowing how to use what you have can make the outcome better.

Absolutely pack the basic stuff, map of the area and a compass, and know how to use them. Be able to triangulate your position on a topo map. Firestarters, signaling devices, etc as well.

All the electronic stuff is just gravy, but they depend on batteries and batteries often die at the worst possible time.

As the boy scouts say... Be Prepared.

Not sure why you would end your statement with, " be prepared '
while discouraging people from buying a SPOT or other PLB. The device requires no gps knowledge, and can be deployed w/ one hand literally. If people can afford a $100 device and the $10 monthly fee, then AWESOME. Seems every thread about SPOT, Mule attacks saying " aw you just need a firestarter, and a HAM radio, you'll be fine. That's just not the case...both of those items are fine, but neither one will notifiy all agencies w/ one single button. Think of it this way. Carry a spot, if needed, send the 911 or HELP message and STAY PUT! Never separate your party, stay together your chances are much better.
While waiting start a fire, turn on your FRS radio and start scanning channels-0-3 are normally used for primary traffic. Maintain your fire, and/or start a snow cave and prepare to spend the night. (continue to monitor your radio for traffic and send more SPOT messages. This has been PROVEN to work and saves lives.

Think of it this way, even if your not lost...you may find someone critically injured. Deploy your SPOT and stay w/ the individual they will need reassurance and comforting................or what? Tell them i heading out to get help, and i cant promise when we'll be back but i'll try.....WTF? Too many people are getting complacent on cell service in the back country even with a good signal, without the right cell phone your exact position is not sent. It is triangularized, if more than one tower can receive your signal, if not (in the case on a single tower, non-sectorized) the location is only as accurate as the footprint of that tower....near useless imo.

And yes, if your not capable of getting back to the main trail, then of course don't leave the trail in the 1st place. Be safe, Be prepared, and dont' go cheap on your gear.......the right gear might save your life. A properly used SPOT or PLB will get rescuers on scene w/in hours..........other methods of communication/attraction can take DAYS for you to be found. YOu decide..rant over.

 

[m7bandit]

I think mule was saying don't rely entirely on electronic's which i completely agree with, i also have a spot and know it will not easly transmit in certain conditions, a few heavy cover,canyons,and north side of mountains ect. why they can't be as good at recieving sat signal as some gps i don't know. it would be nice. be prepared

 

[Ex-Member]

Never discouraged anyone from buying one. I'm just saying don't ride beyond your limits just because you have it.

Same goes for a beacon! Just beacuse you have avy gear doesn't mean you should go highmarking dangerous slopes.

I carry some tools that otehr people don't, and others carry gear I don't have. I don't care what you have as long as you know how to use it and its adequate for any forseeable situation that may arise.

 

[mosledder]

We are heading for this area next week, would like to know what to watch out for.

 

[866RMK]

Now for the rest of the news...............


What was the whole story, breakdown, crash or lost.

Anybody know?


?

 

[black swan]

Now for the rest of the news...............
What was the whole story, breakdown, crash or lost.

?

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/content/news/stories/2009/01/27/012809_1a_snowmobilers_found.html

 

[Mikboo]

"We didn't want to start a forest fire" Why the H not?! Makes it easier for them to fin you and you stay warm. I'm pretty sure it's pretty hard to start a forest fire in the middle of winter during a storm anyways, but I would sure try.

Not trying to start an arguement here either. Just stating that I would burn the whole forest down if I had to to survive.

I'm glad they got out ok. Not a lot of fun walking out!

 

[stingray719]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Everyone should have a SPOT with them when riding. If you can't afford one then maybe you should stay home or at least never leave the trail.

Some of us that have beeen riding for over 30 years (without a spot)took a vote and we would like YOU to stay home. Thanks!

 

[live2ride]

Some of us that have beeen riding for over 30 years (without a spot)took a vote and we would like YOU to stay home. Thanks!

I guess my thoughts on this is why would a person not have some of this updated technology that could save your life. 30 years ago the snowmobiles in reality were no where near what they are today with the power they have. Beacons were not around or not like now but it is something most mtn riders wear.

 

[wweverett]

Some of us that have beeen riding for over 30 years (without a spot)took a vote and we would like YOU to stay home. Thanks!

Ya, thats the way to be "I am old and smart and I don't need technology to save my life". Remember technology is what separates us from the Iraqis or are you one of them?

I ride with as much tech (including a spot) as I can, my life is worth it. And so is anyone that gets hurt on the mountain. Wake up!!!!!!

THose guys that were lost are tough bastards and my hat goes off to them remember they walked out, but things could have been a lot worse. (walk down a drainage till you get home or find a 40 foot cliff) luck was with them this time. Next time I bet they carry a spot.

 

[Supplicate]

I guess my thoughts on this is why would a person not have some of this updated technology that could save your life. 30 years ago the snowmobiles in reality were no where near what they are today with the power they have. Beacons were not around or not like now but it is something most mtn riders wear.

once the technology becomes a bit more... reliable... I will buy one in a heartbeat. until then I will not rely on a rather fickle piece of electronic equipment.

You can own all the fancy gear in the world, but you still won't survive if you don't have the brain to understand your situation and the ability to adapt without relying solely on one method of retrieval.

 

[corpeleven]

once the technology becomes a bit more... reliable... I will buy one in a heartbeat. until then I will not rely on a rather fickle piece of electronic equipment.

You can own all the fancy gear in the world, but you still won't survive if you don't have the brain to understand your situation and the ability to adapt without relying solely on one method of retrieval.

I'm pretty sure they're not saying to rely solely on SPOT. We can probably all agree that that would indeed be stupid, and irresponsible.

I think what they were saying is be prepared. To me, that means having a plan in case none of your technology works, but having that technology with you is certainly not hurting, and could possibly reduce your stay in the woods from several days to several hours, thus greatly increasing your chance for survival. Why not stack the odds in your favor? It all comes down to knowledge and tools. If you have both, I'd say you stand a better chance that one or the other. Personally I carry SPOT every time I ride. But I also have a plan in case it doesn't work, and I feel confident I could weather a night or two if needed.

 

[stingray719]

Ya, thats the way to be "I am old and smart and I don't need technology to save my life". Remember technology is what separates us from the Iraqis or are you one of them?

LOL! You are right I do not need technology to save my life. I know better to get somewhere I cannot walk out of (had to walk out twice both times at night). And calling me an Iraqis because I am not stupid enough (like you obviously) to trust my life to technology? Really though your post did make me laugh.

My suggestion, is if you are not a long time rider with forest smarts to ride with those that are and learn. NO substitute for common sense by adding tech. (and I am a computer systems engineer by trade)

 

[live2ride]

I'm pretty sure they're not saying to rely solely on SPOT. We can probably all agree that that would indeed be stupid, and irresponsible.

I think what they were saying is be prepared. To me, that means having a plan in case none of your technology works, but having that technology with you is certainly not hurting, and could possibly reduce your stay in the woods from several days to several hours, thus greatly increasing your chance for survival. Why not stack the odds in your favor? It all comes down to knowledge and tools. If you have both, I'd say you stand a better chance that one or the other. Personally I carry SPOT every time I ride. But I also have a plan in case it doesn't work, and I feel confident I could weather a night or two if needed.

EXACTLY!!! Thanks for going into more details.

 

[wweverett]

I'm pretty sure they're not saying to rely solely on SPOT. We can probably all agree that that would indeed be stupid, and irresponsible.

I think what they were saying is be prepared. To me, that means having a plan in case none of your technology works, but having that technology with you is certainly not hurting, and could possibly reduce your stay in the woods from several days to several hours, thus greatly increasing your chance for survival. Why not stack the odds in your favor? It all comes down to knowledge and tools. If you have both, I'd say you stand a better chance that one or the other. Personally I carry SPOT every time I ride. But I also have a plan in case it doesn't work, and I feel confident I could weather a night or two if needed.

That is exactly what I was trying to say. But it is hard to teach a set in his ways old dog any new, may save your life tricks.

The thing is people will risk there lives to find you when ever you do not show up. The decent thing to do is at least do your part and let them know where you are so they can get back to there lives. Carry a spot, use the technology the best you can, and make everyones life easier not just yours.