Canoe adventurists are an independent lot.......I encourage that. I am reminded of an event in a recent book I read where Verlen kruger and his dear friend Jerry set out to canoe the White River in Ontario. The first day they came to a falls.......Verlen hit the portage while Jerry was swept past. He managed to grab onto a limb but the current took his boat. Verlen and Jerrys eyes locked......the implications being realized. Jerry went to retrieve his boat and was never seen again. I pondered that for some time. Was "peer" pressure partly responsible for Jerry's actions? Quite probable. It cost him his life.

There are many here on QJ I admire a great deal. The originator of this thread has achieved a mythic canoe hero status for me. But I have decided that I will choose what is best for myself and I think you should to. There is some notion that being able to have contact with the outside world is somehow impinging on the wilderness experience. Reality, however, has a way of inserting itself on our most deeply held beliefs and I believe this is one such scenario.

If you are with a group I can understand not having any device especially if the group is fairly young and fit. As the party ages I think the risk that someone might need medical attention rises significantly. Just read BWJ where there are numerous such stories. If someone in your party goes down with any number of serious injuries the concept of calling in help instead of attending a funeral becomes very attractive.

On the other hand my idea is you stow the device and basically forget it. If you call mommy every night, yea, that might sort of ruin your time as you get to hear about the bills and how Mary and Bobby are fighting. My biggest problem with the SAT is going to be explaining to my wife I'm not going to be calling her all the time.

But lets move on.........solo is a different animal. I like being in control. Captain of my own ship (lest I get pegged unfairly my philosophy on group trips is "do what you want"). When i went down in WCPP I would not of been in control of my destiny had I not had the SPOT. I would of been at the mercy of others. I would of had to wait on that sandbar for who knows how long and then I would of had to ask passerby's for help. And not only help to get to the EP but also a ride to town. A massive sacrifice for someone to have to do. I might of ruined some one else's trip.  That is unacceptable IMO and thus my desire to remain independent and in control. Anyway.......decide for yourself. I have spent more time in the woods than the average bear and the thought that it would detract from my experience has never crossed my mind.

Long winded I know. I had plenty of time to think as I was biking (I'm going to write a book......."How to become a wimp in 6 months")