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Rad

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Posts posted by Rad

  1. So I got out and did the plank today. We decided to just take one rope and got down in two raps on a 60 (rap from top anchor over the edge to an anchor just under a large tree, then to the ground from there). If you had two 60s you could go all the way to the ground from the top anchor. The 10s on the vertical wall look like fun - will have to return for those.

  2. so it depends what you're looking for: are you looking to leave behind a legacy of routes that are safe that others will want to do? or are you looking for those few and intense moments of survival, and to hell with the route you leave behind?

     

    I agree with your assessment and personally believe that the needs of the many outweight the needs of the view (insert Spock emoticon). I also believe that one can find a middle ground between the extremees you mention, where there protection is spaced far enough apart to keep the leader engaged but close enough so no one gets killed or paralyzed. This is true regardless of whether you go ground up or top down.

  3. What are you going to do with a lighter? Build a fire? That's not very feasible in the alpine and not very ecofriendly in many locations. Nothing wrong with mirrors and waving red jackets etc, but those will only help rescuers pinpoint your location once they're already in the area searching. Got any other "old school" things worth mentioning?

  4. Muchas gracias. Yes, FCC. Unless you're flying while radioing.

     

    Got a link to a site with info and/or a bunch of NW radio geeks to answer newbie questions? (e.g. what does "2m" mean? Is that a 2 meter wavelength?)

     

    Got an article or more info on the Blue Glacier incident you mentioned?

     

    Sounds like radio is worth comparing...

  5. Any errors you found that need correction?

     

    Just an edit to " there was no sign of the other two, who are still missing and presumed dead."

    Both bodies were recovered by PMR in late August.

     

    That rings a bell. This is for the 2009 accident, right? Let me know and we'll correct it (one advantage of web-based publishing). Thanks.

  6. Are there any useful devices we missed?

    Amateur radio devices typically have higher power, operate at more frequencies, and can often hit repeaters in areas where cell phones cannot hit cell towers. Downside is a license is required although the requirements are fairly easy nowadays.

     

    I looked into this a bit, but ran into two challenges:

     

    1 - the FCC license requirement. Can you tell us what the "fairly easy" process is that solves this issue?

     

    2 - The people you're really want to talk to (law enforcement and rangers) won't tell you what frequency they use for their communication. What's the solution for that? On Mt Rainier, a number of recues were initiated by guide services with radios, but they're on the horn with the rangers and know the frequencies. Any advice on how to know what channel to use?

     

    3 - If you can solve 1 and 2 above, what are the best units to consider? One can spend $50 on a radio or $250. I couldn't tell from product descriptions much difference in technical performance of these. PErhaps you can enlighten me.

     

    Feel free to pm if you don't want to post #2 here. Thanks.

    Rad

  7. For those of you who haven't seen it, you might enjoy the article we put together on the role of signaling devices in mountain rescues: Climber 9-1-1 in the NWMJ

     

     

    But I'm posting because I have been asked to do another piece focused on devices and I want to solicit your input.

    Are there any useful devices we missed?

    Any errors you found that need correction?

    Comments from your experiences?

    Any comments on cell phone texting vs calling in the mtns - I hear there may be times when texts will go through when calls won't. True?

    Other comments?

    Thanks,

    Rad

     

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