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With another warm weekend ahead, search and rescue teams are preparing to respond to several calls for lost or stranded hikers. Yet, we've found new technology that will help hikers stay safe in Utah mountains if they just use it.
With the great outdoors on our doorstep, many Utahns head for the mountains with little preparation.
"Well, I don't really do much to ensure safety. I just go when I know there will be other people will be around," hiker Rachel Cieslewicz said.
Karl Geis, also a hiker, said, "I've pretty much hiked these trails enough to know where I'm going. But I do carry a cell phone."
Many outdoor enthusiasts know the trails and are only planning on a day hike. But it doesn't take much to turn an outing into an ordeal.
"Percentages are going to catch up with you. Eventually, you'll get in trouble," said Keith Sauter, with Salt Lake County Search and Rescue.
Search and rescue teams get dozens of calls during the summer to find and safely return hikers who never thought they'd need rescuing. To help you stay safe, we looked into new ways technology can prevent problems.
GPS systems are better than ever at helping you find where you are to within meters.
You can also take personal locater beacons. With a push of a button, the beacons allow you to check in and let people know you're OK, or that you need help.
With entry prices at $100, retailers don't think cost is the main barrier to people buying them. "I think the biggest reason people aren't going to this technology is people just don't want to take the time. They just want to head out, don't want to take the time to be prepared," said Patrick Killorian, with REI.
Safety basics still go hand-in-hand with high-tech: Stay on the trails, learn to read a map and compass, and always give someone your itinerary.
"That's probably one of the most critical things to do, is to make sure someone knows where you're going, your route, what time you're leaving and what time you're expected back," Sauter said.
For people who don't have a spouse, family or a network to whom they can report an itinerary, there's now a company that will provide the service.
SafeCheckIn.com has set up a Web site that takes all your information, and if you don't report in at the given time, they'll start calling contacts. If needed, they will send search and rescue teams to find you.
For a link to the Web site, click the related link to the right of the story.
Here are some additional Web sites with more tips on staying safe outdoors:
American Red Cross web site
Utah Department of Health Web site
Hit the Trail Web site
Tread Lightly Web site
Kaboose Web site
REI Web site
