I think the PLB would do better than a satellite phone.

Aren't Alaska planes required to carry axes? It seems that I read that somewhere.

I like Peter Kummerfeldt's motto, which is something like "prepare to survive - not just to arrive". If you look through his site:

http://www.outdoorsafe.com/index.htm

... you'll see that he tends toward simple small kits that can be carried all the time that focus on surviving a few nights outdoors until help arrives.

Its not all about the gear, its as much about making sure that the help DOES arrive.

Bring the PLB. Let a trusted friend know your travel plan. Set up a communication plan so they know if something went wrong as soon as possible. Have sufficient gear to survive long enough to be rescued. Have gear to make yourself visible - to be rescued.