Yes, but even if they did not know how to use a cell phone, a number of the newer cell phones have GPS tracking capability (popular with parents with teen age children). It might have made a difference, but hard to say.
WARNING & DISCLAIMER:
SELECT AND USE OUTDOORS AND SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND TECHNIQUES AT YOUR OWN RISK. Information posted
on this forum is not reviewed for accuracy and may not be reliable, use at your own risk. Please
review the full WARNING & DISCLAIMER about information on this
site.