Another climber said last night on TV that weight is such a factor that carrying a GPS device with them just isn't an option like it is for say, skiers, as an example.
I also read yesterday on another FR thread about this that Mt Hood isn't that big a deal to climb - the poster said average Joes and grannies just walk right up it - so I'm a little confused about all the drama involved in this.
There are GPS devices that work with satelittes and there are radio devices that transmit and receive 2 to 5 miles.
Some radio devices just give a continous beep and others can be used for two way talking.
Different prices, weights, battery life, etc.
The ones used by backcountry skiiers generally have one frequency for broadcasting the signal. When there is an avalanche event that covers one skiier, then the other skiiers need to switch their radios from transmit to receive to find the first guy.
There have been over 130 deaths on Mt Hood in the last hundred years by contrast Mt Everest has killed about 175 in the same time period. So going be the numbers, Hood isn't a walk in the park.
It all depends on what route you take...they took an advanced route that requires technical climbing skills.
Hood is 11 thousand plus feet. Many bigger mountains are over 14 thousand just in the continental US.
One problem is the winter storms that roll in from the ocean.
Another issue is the route : there are easy and harder ones.
IFAIR, the south/south-eastern side is pretty easy climbing if one traverses the slope. The north and north-western side is serious technical climbing.
What obviously makes Hood a good winter technical climb is that the challenge is very great, but highly accessible, and has a relatively "easy" walk-off exit (enter north-side, exit south-side).
This makes for a very real high-mountain experience which one can accomplish in a long weekend, rather than the weeks involved in a true "back-country" trip, making it a perfect place to practice for larger expeditions, and a mecca for "day-climbers" that want the experience, but can't commit the time and money needed for a big trip.
-Bruce
"Another climber said last night on TV that weight is such a factor
that carrying a GPS device with them just isn't an option like it is
for say, skiers, as an example. "
I can sympathize to a degree; not being weighted down is a nice thing.
At the same time...you'd think in a "gang of three" at least one of
them could stand to haul around an extra 12 ounces.
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