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noodle
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Congratulations on the upcoming first solo! Verizon coverage in that area is generally ok, depending on your elevation. You might find that a campsite gets zero bars but if you head uphill that can change. You're making a smart decision in using an InReach just to be sure, though; my phone is with me on trips just for taking photos and reading the occasional ebook.
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WonderMonkey
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I have an InReach and it works very well. I send tracks up so she can see my progress, and then send some of the pre-written texts when I leave camp and arrive at the next one.
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WonderMonkey
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As an aside. Make sure to bring a way to recharge the Garmin. My mini, running only during the day, needs charging every other day. I only use manual waypoints to reduce battery use. Although it takes very little power to charge it. I'm not sure how big the battery is on the regular size one. But I would assume it would need some charge if used consistently."
My regular-sized InReach has a nice-sized battery. I do keep it charged daily as it's a critical piece of my gear, but I feel I could go 4 days if needed.
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Loony_canoe
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The IN-Reach is what allows me to travel solo. Being as old as some dirt, my wife wanted me to have the SOS feature. I assume so my remains could be found easily, for insurance reasons. It has proven to also help in letting her know if my dot on the map is supposed to be moving or is supposed to stay in the same locations for days on end. I tell her when I leave camp, get to camp, and if I staying in camp. Many times she needs to inform me of some issue she has, so I do like the text feature, it does make her feel more connected. To be serious, I also like the ability for her to connect with me if a real emergency or serious issue arises on her end.
I personally do not have much luck with phone service, even with Verizon, it may be Karma, or that I tend to go deep into the wilderness area. So my phone service isn't reliable enough for daily use.
I have also found knowing upcoming weather patterns seems to have become as essential as food. So I spend my pennies on the latest forecast looking for a sunny day to travel.
As an aside. Make sure to bring a way to recharge the Garmin. My mini, running only during the day, needs charging every other day. I only use manual waypoints to reduce battery use. Although it takes very little power to charge it. I'm not sure how big the battery is on the regular size one. But I would assume it would need some charge if used consistently.
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boonie
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I use my InReach mini to send a prewritten "I'm OK" message from camp each day. I also have it set to show my location, but don't track my travel, and for getting a weather forecast every now and then. Configured that way it uses minimal battery power; after 2 weeks+ over half was remaining.
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YetiJedi
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CoachBigD: "I am planning my first solo this year. The plan is the Kawishiwi Triangle Memorial weekend. Not a taxing trip by any stretch and help me work out any kinks. I find the biggest thing for me on trips is being out of communication with my wife. I am renting an InReach with text capabilities to see if that alleviates my anxiousness while I am out in the wilderness. Might not be needed in the Triangle because, if I recall correctly, there is some cell service there.
Very excited. Last year is the first year I had not gone on a trip in over a decade, perhaps two. I am ready to get away."
Planning to do the same route with my 10 and 8-year-old daughters in July. Good to know about verizon coverage. I also have a garmin and the battery lasts well. I also carry a small solar bank and it keeps phone (serves as my camera too) and garmin charged.
The preset messages are nice. I also send a few custom messages each day and that helps with staying in touch with my family. If you can check it out a day or two early it's helpful to tune it to your preferences - presets, upload your route, notes about campsites or fishing spots (which you can do on a paper map as well).
Enjoy the trip!
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santacruz
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Kawish triangle, done it, you'll love it :)
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sns
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If you have Verizon it is likely you'd have cell coverage most (if not all) of the time.
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PineKnot
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boonie: "I use my InReach mini to send a prewritten "I'm OK" message from camp each day. I also have it set to show my location, but don't track my travel, and for getting a weather forecast every now and then. Configured that way it uses minimal battery power; after 2 weeks+ over half was remaining. "
+1. I send presets each evening, and exchange a couple texts with home every 3 or 4 days. Weather updates are very useful. I link inreach with my phone via Earthmate making texting much easier. Never needed to charge the inreach on trips up to 17 nights. Did need to charge my phone once though when I forgot to turn it off one evening. To charge the phone, I use an Anker PowerCore 10000 battery, about the size of a deck of cards.
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straighthairedcurly
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Welcome to the solo world. I just did my first one 2 years ago. I will be on a family "break-in" trip in the Kawishiwi Triangle that same weekend. We are using it to get in shape for more extensive travels throughout the summer (my son is heading to the arctic for the summer).
We'll keep an eye out for you :) This forum is definitely a great place to ask questions as you prep. Sounds like the InReach is great idea for you. I carry a basic SPOT that tracks my movements and I use to send an "OK" message nightly. For me, that is enough. I go deep enough in that finding out about an emergency at home while on a solo would just put me at risk trying to "hurry" out.
Have a great trip!
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CoachBigD
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I am planning my first solo this year. The plan is the Kawishiwi Triangle Memorial weekend. Not a taxing trip by any stretch and help me work out any kinks. I find the biggest thing for me on trips is being out of communication with my wife. I am renting an InReach with text capabilities to see if that alleviates my anxiousness while I am out in the wilderness. Might not be needed in the Triangle because, if I recall correctly, there is some cell service there.
Very excited. Last year is the first year I had not gone on a trip in over a decade, perhaps two. I am ready to get away.
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dschult2
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Love my InReach. All I do is text my wife at the end of the day. "Made it to camp. All good. Love you." Then I get back a "I'm glad. Love you too. Stay safe."
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