Two-Way Iridium Phones in the Backcountry | Outdoor Gear | Kananaskis Outdoors Forum

Post edited 7:59 pm – June 9, 2010 by Gerard L

Mobile phone coverage in the backcountry is non-existent except at high elevation in parts of the front range and in selected small areas where a mobile phone tower might be available. An example of the latter is the area surrounding Nakiska.  Lack of coverage will not change due to the intrinsic limitations of radio-frequency propagation and the cost of installing and maintaining towers on mountain summits in low density user areas.

The question then arises as to what is available to the day or multi-day hiker who wants the capability of calling for help in case of emergency and/or remain in touch with family.  The use of a basic SPOT one-way transmitter to send an automated emergency message that contains sender location is a reasonable cost, as discussed in another section of this website by Tony Daffern.

Another technology that is more expensive but more flexible is Iridium, a constellation of 66 non-geostationary satellites dedicated to two-way communication (http://www.iridium.com/).  Iridium phones now weigh about 300 g and the battery talk time is around three hours. When turning the unit on, the wait time to lock on a satellite (only one is needed for the unit to function) is typically less than one minute on a summit and up to several minutes in a narrow valley.  Operation is then similar to that of a mobile phone. Voice clarity is excellent.  Personal text messages can also be composed and sent.  Hence communication to an emergency centre is practically immediate.  I have used an Iridium phone for three years and found it great for peace of mind.  I have all Kananaskis and other emergency numbers in my backpack. When I hike alone, I phone my spouse at the mid-point of the hike to let her know where I am.  On multi-day hikes, we also speak once per day to inform each other of events affecting our lives.  The drawback is cost: an Iridium phone unit goes for over $1,500.  A subscription has to be purchased separately.  Several packages are available.  I usually purchase 200 minutes at the time for about $300, to be used over six months.  I buy the services from Canada-based Roadpost (http://www.roadpost.ca).  It is expensive but this is the cost of safety.