it's my contention that hiking with another person may or may not have a slight advantage over hiking solo.

i will assume that the solo hiker carries the necessary tools to stay out overnight.

IMHO - Most do not.

i will assume that the solo hiker leaves with another person or two the who, what, where, and when of the day's planned hike.

IMHO - Most do not.

i will assume the solo hiker travels and does not deviate from the planned hike.

IMHO - Most do not have a plan, share the plan or follow a plan.

as mentioned in another post, many misadventures carry immediate consequences - falls, drownings, extreme medical events (heart attacks, etc), animal encounters. not much can be done by another person or plb about those.

IMHO - I hunt alone. If badly injured but alive, the PLB is my only link.

i'm thinking - perhaps incorrectly - if you are missed after not checking in, help should find you w/i 24 - 48 hrs. and that if none of the major events have occurred you will be rescued. cold, maybe. uncomfortable, maybe. hungry, maybe. but not dead.

IMHO - In the back-country of Idaho, you will only be rescued within 24-48 hours IF your EXACT LOCATION is known. Very few searches are started within the first day.