Missing hunters in Colorado

[mtnbound]

Don't you have to actually activate one of those? To clarify, the nature of my question is, 1) I know virtually nothing about these devices, and 2) if someone just disappeared, what device would make it easiest to track them? And always-on kind of thing, something that automatically pings every few minutes, etc.

Garmin, with its mapshare link, allows anyone with that link to see your last position. If your InReach is set to default, it automatically sends your location every 10 minutes. Anyone with that mapshare link can also ping your location to get a current location.

 

[mtnbound]

Don't you have to actually activate one of those? To clarify, the nature of my question is, 1) I know virtually nothing about these devices, and 2) if someone just disappeared, what device would make it easiest to track them? And always-on kind of thing, something that automatically pings every few minutes, etc.

Yes, you have to push the SOS button, which is the issue with any unit that requires a physical response from its owner. What if you are unconscious? For a phone-based satellite system that requires you to move to get a signal, what if you can't move to get a satellite lock? That's why I prefer an InReach and its mapshare feature.

 

[Taudisio]

I haven’t been in that country, but some of those contour lines look pretty close together. Hope they come out alright and they are just munching on backstraps.

 

[7mm-08]

I carry a few of these whistles, pack and bino harness. They are so cheap they are essentially free and weigh nothing. Good to hand out liberally to partners. Can be heard for a mile or so.

View attachment 936979

I carry a few of these whistles, pack and bino harness. They are so cheap they are essentially free and weigh nothing. Good to hand out liberally to partners. Can be heard for a mile or so.

View attachment 936979

Could you provide additional information on these? Manufacturer, model, vender would be appreciated.

 

[TexasCub]

Keep in mind that any satellite messenger has a much weaker signal than a PLB 1.7W vs 5w. If you’re in the canopy it makes a huge difference especially if you’re injured. PLB uses Govt satellites with a way more powerful signal as opposed to the iridium/Globalstar satellites used by the messengers, once again less chance of no reception. The messengers are great if you want to text while out of a data area, share maps with I don’t know who because if I’m lost or hurt I’d rather have the rescuers know my exact location vs my wife or buddy 1600 miles away trying to convey that, if you want the most reliable I need help now tool it’s a PLB, and a good one can be had for about $400 and up.

 

[180ls1]

Could you provide additional information on these? Manufacturer, model, vender would be appreciated.

I forget and don't feel like digging through my purchase history as I got a huge pack and its been years.

I think its identical to these. I'd give them a toot to make sure they work before you pack them. It's honestly wild how far they do on a quiet cool AM.

Amazon.com : Dimeho 120 PCS Emergency Whistles Aluminum Survival Whistle with Keychain Defense Alarm Loud Sound Sturdy Light for Outdoor Camping Hiking Hunting Boating Fishing Sports : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Dimeho 120 PCS Emergency Whistles Aluminum Survival Whistle with Keychain Defense Alarm Loud Sound Sturdy Light for Outdoor Camping Hiking Hunting Boating Fishing Sports : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

 

[BBob]

Those little towns along the CO/NM border and some of the people there are sketchy.

That’s for sure.

 

[RockAndSage]

Yes, you have to push the SOS button, which is the issue with any unit that requires a physical response from its owner. What if you are unconscious? For a phone-based satellite system that requires you to move to get a signal, what if you can't move to get a satellite lock? That's why I prefer an InReach and its mapshare feature.

Great info in all of your responses - thank you.

 

[TreeDux]

There’s plenty of reasons to believe something bad has happened but I will continue to hope for a happy ending to this story.

 

[longrangelead]

Hope they find these gentlemen safe and soon.

Aside from a satellite type messaging system, a Recco reflector is simple insurance if local teams are equipped with their detection system(s).

How are they purchased?

RECCO site takes you to Amazon and RECCO search comes up with reflective tape?

Are there retail points like REI?

 

[M44]

Watch... Missing 411 The Hunters.
Some is bs, but all of it isn't.

 

[BTLowry]

Hope they are found safe

Saw some speculation that they may have walked back up to vehicle and interrupted thieves pilfering vehicle and that would go along with the comment about the area having sketchy residents
That was just a theory, not supported by any evidence that I know of

 

[Jbehredt]

Lightning struck tree the wife and I came across last week. Long shot but would explain several puzzling factors.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Don't you have to actually activate one of those? To clarify, the nature of my question is, 1) I know virtually nothing about these devices, and 2) if someone just disappeared, what device would make it easiest to track them? And always-on kind of thing, something that automatically pings every few minutes, etc.

Yes, you do manually activate it. A PLB (personal locator beacon) is basically a mini EPIRB (emergency position indicating radio beacon) with a much smaller battery. Some EPIRBs can be mounted on boats to be deployed upon the pressure of water separating it from its mount. Both EPIRBs and PLBs, once activated, do emit a signal until the battery dies. PLBs typically 24 hours, EPIRBs for 48. Both come with batteries that last 5-10 years.

Here is a PLB to give you an idea of size:

 

[Pacific_Fork]

How are they purchased?

RECCO site takes you to Amazon and RECCO search comes up with reflective tape?

Are there retail points like REI?

My Forloh jacket came with a Recco in the hood. I don’t understand how they work but apparently they do lol

 

[cuerro viejo]

Don't you have to actually activate one of those? To clarify, the nature of my question is, 1) I know virtually nothing about these devices, and 2) if someone just disappeared, what device would make it easiest to track them? And always-on kind of thing, something that automatically pings every few minutes, etc.

I accidentally popped hot the old delorme Inreach model. They immediately called my wife and notified her and gathered info. I grew up in the basin I was in and was with a buddy. That info helped them a lot. They watched my movement realtime. They figured it was false alarm because of my pace and fact I was with a buddy, with that said I got back to the truck and discovered the flashing red Inreach 5 min before they sent in SAR. They had already had extraction route, quicker cut through on private mapped etc. they had watched me for 2 hours

Long story short, get an Inreach, mini or messenger. Cheap peace of mind, you can set it up to ping location @ multi time intervals. I’ve stuck my in my truck sunroof before at a hotel, incase my truck got stolen.

Needless to say I have a new messager in my bino harness at all times

 

[kpk]

Lightning was definitely a thought I had too. Had to ride out a storm in northern CO at similar elevation as these guys were at. It went from a bluebird sunny day to super sketchy faster than I could get to cover.

 

[North of 60]

One of the scarier times for me for me in any outdoors situation was right above treeline up above Creede on the Colorado Trail when a lightning/hail storm caught us trying to get over a pass and find trees to camp in on the other side...That was a terrifying 30-45 min.

I can see how lightning may be a plausible reason for an unfortunate outcome if that ends up being the case. God bless them and their loved ones.

 

[ReddingArcher]

Almost a full week now? Hopefully everything turns out well. It doesn't sound too promising unfortunately.

 

[Nickofthewoods]

Hope they are found safe

Saw some speculation that they may have walked back up to vehicle and interrupted thieves pilfering vehicle and that would go along with the comment about the area having sketchy residents
That was just a theory, not supported by any evidence that I know of

The last time I was in that area was summer of 2023 and the next trailhead 2 miles from where they parked had a sign that said due to recent break-ins do not leave valuables in vehicles. That's not necessarily unusual at parking areas near large cities but I remember being surprised it was there. The area does directly border Rio Arriba county which NM just declared a State of Emergency for due to elevated levels of crime.