by Alicia MacLeay
PLB's and self-sufficiency can be a hot (i.e. controversial) topic in the Trailspace forums. Now the discussion has gone mainstream:
Tired from a hike? Rescuers fear Yuppie 911
Last month two men and their teenage sons tackled one of the world's most unforgiving summertime hikes: the Grand Canyon's parched and searing Royal Arch Loop. Along with bedrolls and freeze-dried food, the inexperienced backpackers carried a personal locator beacon - just in case.In the span of three days, the group pushed the panic button three times, mobilizing helicopters for dangerous, lifesaving rescues inside the steep canyon walls.
(from the Associated Press)
The PLB episodes detailed in the article above are cringe-worthy: a woman frightened by a thunderstorm; three, yes three, calls (and subsequent emergency responses) from those Grand Canyon hikers for 1) lack of water, 2) salty-tasting water, and 3) some unknown reason. (Couldn't someone take the PLB away after the first rescue attempt —which the hikers declined — right after handing them a big bill?)
The article says that some rescue officials are starting to keep stats on PLB usage. As a numbers freak, I'd be interested to know, beyond anecdotes, what the effect of PLB usage is on backcountry rescue services. How many and what percentage of PLB owners attempt activities or take risks they wouldn't without that piece of gear in their pack? What are the costs for unnecessary or irresponsible rescues versus situations where PLB's save time and rescue costs?
There are lots of issues here. As one rescuer quoted in the article says, "We are now entering the Twilight Zone of someone else's intentions."
Oh, and I'm left with one additional question: were those Grand Canyon hikers really carrying “bedrolls”?
Via Trailspace member overmywaders
