Tramper rescued at 1700m after finding a pocket of cellphone coverage to call for help

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/1265627...o-call-for-help

CARRY an effing PLB or SEND!

Wow! A PLB would have been simpler.

Had to look up what tramper meant in New Zealand.
Hiker.

Ill equipped day hiker when there is snow and ice on the ground.

Ren nailed it. Better to be equipped for conditions and be self sufficient than to rely on any outside assistance, even a PLB.

Adequate equipment would probably cost less, and be more versatile, than a PLB, although knowledge and some skill is require

Phew! Many layers here. Advocating a PLB or other device is good; but as a last line of defence, not a first. The first line of defense is not needing rescue. Not always possible; unexpected events happen; but mostly possible.

Day hikers get suckered in very easily (me too). If it's an even mildly remote area, be prepared to spend the night outside. Doubly so if you are operating solo. The mountains are tougher than you are; there is no dishonour in turning back. Young solo hikers that learn a cautious approach tend to become old solo hikers.

Regarding cell phones: a single pocket of VOX usually means passing through many pockets of SMS (text) connectivity. This can be used to advantage, but make sure you include the current time/date with your texts; they may be substantially delayed between the time you send vs. the time the system receives and relays them. Still, the responsible person who has your "flight plan" will know what to do. You did file a "flight plan" with someone before you left, right?

Yeah, obviously just going out better prepared is the obvious first step. I was watching a video on YT on a channel related to disappearances of hikers & campers (not one of the sensationalized shows like 411); they were discussing a young guy with almost no hiking experience that tried to do a 16 mile mountain loop in late October(!). Been missing for four years now. He left no itinerary, wasn't dressed for cold weather and didn't take much for supplies.

Could you possibly name that channel?

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=disappearances+of+hikers+%26+campers

Whatever channel is likely listed in this search on youtube. Maybe channels 1) Missing persons mysteries or 2) Heavy casefiles

It's "Bryan's Mysteries & Adventures on Trail". Not a slick or glitzy channel, just one young guy that seems to do it as a hobby.

Another similar case.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/hiker-...ital/ar-AAP3awL

Relying on phone & reception but spent 4 nights out in the wild, after he allegedly told people he was taking the Canyon Overlook Trail, that's just around a mile long.