Wyoming B.S. Thread

Ahh, looks like they changed the plans. Not surprising, I guess. Apparently, I'm grandfathered in to the "Safety" plan from when I signed up:



As for sending messages - if it has GPS lock when you submit the message, it generally sends within seconds (like SMS). The problem is that it uses a GPS radio that takes forever to connect. Here's way more info than you ever wanted to know on the different networks, if you're curious. I think yours is better than mine, but still not great.

Battery life tradeoffs, ehh?

But yeah, now that Starlink exists, the other networks are going to have to resolve their historically shitty connectivity because they are the only game in town.

 

Starlink is its own sat protocol, not nearly as robust (but certainly good coverage though) as the type the garmin and satphones use. It's not fair to compare a proprietary protocol to one that's designed for massive intercompatibility and stability like the older sat protocols. Sure they take time but they're insanely reliable for what they do.

 

Plus there are more constelation systems being deployed. I lost track of how many now, at least 4 others though. Some are more for EU and such but ole Bezos is trying to get in on it too with their system.

However, can't beat the portability of those devices you guys have haha even the mini starlink is till pretty big.

 

I've had an inreach mini for years. I just bluetooth to my phone to type out a message. It's been useful for coordinating a camp meetup when there's no service, otherwise no one cares where I am.

Apart from that, I carry it on all my backcountry hiking, fishing, biking, skiing etc. adventures should something go wrong.


I noticed when I hiked the 14er Blanca this summer (best technical 4wd road in the state btw ), how nearly every hiker had one. Sure as shit as we were airing up a S&R heli was flying into the landing pad at the base of the mountain. Someone broke their leg up there and used their Garmin SOS.

 

Sure. And I wouldn't say its unrealiable. Certainly not here. I game on mine almost every day. In the last 12 months its become very reliable and latency has improved a shit load. It'll only get better too. Even when it drops out its like maybe for 10 seconds.

But yeah sure, either way, my point is even old school sat links are "slow" like they don't take minutes to sends data packets around. It's gotta be something else at play not the sat connection itself.

 

yeah the portability is awesome. I don't think you can beat it. And assuming you don't find yourself in a situation where you can't use it or loose it. Very good insurance. I had a spot at one point. NO idea what happened to it.

Do tell more about this trail...and peak for that matter.

 

I wouldn't say it's unreliable either, it just isn't 1980s GPS-SAT reliable haha. Also it's got a crazy person at the helm, which when you're concerned with your life could be a bit disconcerting. Crazy person does something stupid and interrupts my COD game, eh okay... crazy person does something stupid and cuts off my life support... bit more worrisome.

 

Look up Blanca peak/Lake Como road. Makes Holy cross look easy. I say 35s and F&R locked necessary. Crawlbox super helpful too. Big Dan is the only one out of you guys with a truck that will make it.

Was fun camping up there and bagging 2 out 3 14ers. Need to go back and get the 3rd, which is much more technical.

 

Looks fun, trecherous if wet though.

 

It will be interesting to see how the tmobile/starlink network goes. Could make the garmin almost obsolete.

 

Sounds like a good one to add to the tour for Frankensteins return! Plus doing a couple of 14ers would be cool.

Totally. Plus isn't apple offering satellite connection via their phone too?

 

But does your starlink fit in your pocket?

You aren't wrong, I guess I'm ok not living in an instant world 100% of the time.

 

Different plan for sure. Mines a bit more expensive. It's why I want to explore the full scope of its capabilities so I feel like I'm getting SOME value out of it beyond paying $15/MO to have an SOS available.

 

The first time I did it was after a huge thunderstorm. It was fine. Hope you're not scared of exposure though.

Get going!

 

That road is no joke. I've done the Crestones traverse but have only camped at the bottom of the como road. From what I understand it just gets worse, and worse, and worse, until you get up top and it's absolutely gorgeous. The little bear-blanca traverse looks incredible and exposed.

I figured I would join the thread and chime in since I'm likely moving to Wyoming this year.

 

It is gorgeous up there. Amazing place to camp for the night. Lots of people up there for the 14ers though, so you won't be alone.

I did Blanca and Ellingwood. The LB-Blanca traverse is above my pay grade, but I would like to do Little Bear as an out and back.

Crestone traverse looks pretty incredible as well.

 

nice where abouts?

If the road is so tough how are they so many people? or they just packing in?

 

99.99% of people are hiking the road to access the 14ers.

 

I always forget ellingwood exists, and I wish Lindsey didnt have land ownership concerns. If you haven’t done kit carson and challenger point that is also a really excellent day.

I highly recommend the crestone traverse. That was one of my favorite days in the mountains. Definitely some exposure but the rock in the most exposed section is amazing. Massive conglomerate holds everywhere you look. Easy climbing.

Laramie!

Seems like just about everyone hikes in. It has been biked but I think that is the worst idea because then you are just pushing it the whole way.

 

Makes sense.

Laradise. Cool. For school?