I do a lot of solo mountaineering. So I just got a pair of alpine touring skis and went to Mt. Rainier. Was a whiteout, so now I'll need a GPS so I don't walk off a cliff. Ranger scolded me for not having an avalanche beacon. I asked her "how would you know to look for me", she just gave me a blank look. So does anyone know if there's a combination avalanche beacon and PLB? Does a PLB work as an avalanche beacon? Different frequencies I know. The options are, as I see it:

1. Cell phone, downside is there's no reception in the backcountry
2. PLB, think I'll get one of these
3. GPS, guess I'll get one of these finally, are there any combo units with emergency beacons?
4. Avy beacon, will any of the above work instead?
5. Short-wave transciever to call the ranger, downside is I'll need a HAM license.

As far as I can tell I'll need the first 4 of the above gadgets to: keep in contact with family, signal for help, find my way through the storm, and be found under snow. I see where SPOT will be able to relay user-inputted messages soon, but I'll still need a cellphone to order pizza.