New Zealand Incident

Just ran across this: www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/hiker-describes-harrowing-30-day-ordeal/ar-BBw5g5m

Couple hiking a multi day trip- bad weather - he slips and dies - she finds hiking hut and stays for a month until relatives back home realize she hasn't been heard from - search finds her.

Same old lesson - Let someone reliable know your itinerary - maybe carry a PLB

That's a tough situation. Sounds like there was no helping the hiker who slipped and fell, sounds like he was DRT. But one answer to most all of these lost/stranded/injured in a remote area stories is a beacon such as a PLB rescue beacon, a Spot (messenger-one way) or inReach (communicator-two way).

There are differences between the three systems (primarily they run on different satellites) and the best system is situationally dependent. I wasn't particularly interested in communicating with family/friends while at work so I went with a real PLB for the reliability of a SAR subsystem that dovetailed straight into the network -- no 3rd party involved. For many though, the messengers and communicators may have benefit and as long as they actually cover your geographic area (there are holes in the Spot system's coverage), go for it. My situation could change though and if so I may get one of the other systems, probably an inReach Explorer. In any case, I'll keep the PLB for the reliability of eliminating the middleman in an actual SAR event.

...of course a PLB assumes that you have it and NOT your missing partner...

Of course, if a person going solo and carrying a PLB slips and falls and is DRT, the PLB is of no use......

If my missing partner has a PLB on him/her, great, that means we have two PLB's.

I read that today. Very sad. And while I don't want to sound disrespectful- especially given than one of them died- I always shake my head when "experienced hikers" are so foolish as to not take the most meager precautions like telling someone where you are and when you're expecting to be back. I mean c'mon! That's basic common sense. Even if not for yourself at least make recovery easier for SAR, and give your family some closure if you don't care about your own life!

yes and I'd add; tell 2 responsible people and include a line " when to call the sheriff and go looking for me date."