Hiker rescue near Owl's Head

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I'd be pissed if I died while hiking Owl's Head. I would want a glorious death on a majestic mountaintop. 62 is not that far from 57, my age.

Condolences to his family
 
Sad. But it could of happened anywhere. Better there then while driving in heavy traffic while towing a 5th Wheel. On a side note I wish all these reports had the details. Like how did they contact F&G etc? PLB or someone had to run out to cell or Ranger station. Did he have a condition? Why do I wonder? maybe to much time on my hands. Or would a faster response set off by a PBL saved him.
 
There are some points in the Pemi where reportedly some folks get cell coverage. I don't track it but seem to remember that my friend had cell signal at Diamond Ledge. I seriously doubt that a PLB ping would get S&R in place fast enough to make a difference in a medical emergency but lacking details on this incident its all speculation. There was a recent rescue where F&G reported that they responded with carrying in necessary medical gear to a person in the backcountry but how they knew to do so was not called out. PLB pings do have some inertia in their response, last thing I knew the satellite coverage could introduce up to 3 hours of delay. When a legit signal is received and verified, the contact has to be verified by attempting contact with the emergency contact named in the registration and then handed off to the local contact that coordinates the rescue. The rescue coordinator then has to decide what type of rescue is required as all they have is a ping at a hopefully accurate location if the PLB signal was not impacted by terrain or operator error (RE Kate M's issues). At best S&R will make an initial response on foot with basic first aid skills and gear and then call in more advanced care. This lack of message ability for PLB is frequently given as justification for a Spot type unit which is debate for another day and thread.

I believe F&G does a very detailed post rescue analysis with the participating parties but the general public is not given access to it. Perhaps someone could attempt a FOIA request? In general I believe F&G and other rescue organizations are trying to emphasize that PLBs and Spots do not guarantee instant response in the backcountry, at best they speed things up but a hiker should be equipped and expect that rescue may be many hours, overnight or even a day before help may arrive.
 
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There are some points in the Pemi where reportedly some folks get cell coverage. I don't track it but seem to remember that my friend had cell signal at Diamond Ledge.

This cell coverage map was my ticket to watching the entire 2019 Bruins playoff run in the woods. Depending on carrier and location there is a good chance that they were able to make a call. https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Guides/Coverage
 
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