Just back from the Patagonian Icecap. Highly successful trip in part thanks to the Sat Comms provided by the Yellowbrick Tracker. We got up to date weather reports twice daily which helped in decision making.
Conclusion
We love it! A great addition to our mountaineering team. We made the correct decisions based on the information we received from the unit. Solid build, tough, functional and the Iridium satellite network ensures global coverage. Great battery life, affordable pricing and easy operation. In the tough environment of the mountains we can’t really ask for too much more, can we?
I know you have built up years of mountain experience and will have developed your own knack of interpreting the weather signals. Did you ever find yourself in conflict with the weather forecast being posted to you or were there times when your instinct suggested something different? How far do you trust the Met forecasts in an area where localised changes happen so quickly?
Incidentally, I've just read Graham Ratcliffe's new book "A Day to Die For:1996 Everest's Worst Disaster" which raises fascinating questions about accessing and interpreting weather forecasts in the greater ranges.
I ask all of this because I can recall not quite believing the needle on my compass on a short trip to the Carneddau, North Wales. I had just returned from several weeks of successful travelling and trekking in NZ and thought I should be able to intuitively know my direction on familiar ground. Of course, the compass turned out to be right and when I dropped down out of the mist I saw that I was in completely the wrong valley!
I guess there is a bit of built in experience or sixth sense to these things. Many times the forecasts turned out to be wrong, although I have to say that the Sierra Nevada ones currently are quite accurate.
I normally trust my compass, unless in the Isle of Skye (where it can be wildly out!). GPS units are a back up for me, but in reality having carried them for 20 years I have only ever used them on...............
Ben Adler plateau, Scotland
Ben Macdui, Scotland
Patagonian Icecap
The Sierra Nevada is relatively easy to negotiate if you have done your homework first re map and escape routes etc. Most lines south lead to safety.
The Yellowbrick is a good bit of safety kit to carry around as you can always summon assistance.