Personal Locator Beacons New ‘Hot Topic” in the Outdoor World

Personal Locator Beacons, or PLB’s as they are often referred to in the press, have been the subject of some highly contested debates in the climbing world, but now that debate is expanding.

For those of you not familiar with what a PLB is or does and how it could potentially help you then perhaps you are not alone.  A PLB, as the name suggests, is a small beacon that is carried on you that will transmit a signal to a satelite and then on to the authorities if you would ever happen to get lost in the wilderness, or on a climb..ect.  I even know some parents who would love to have this technology to keep track of their kids..

PLB’s have become the hot topic in the outdoor world, especially after some very high profile search and rescue efforts over the past couple of years.  It all began in December of 2006 with three climbers who became lost on Mt. Hood, then subsequently perished before they were able to be rescued.  The debate heated up across the climbing community. 

People involved in the search efforts argue that the PLB’s will not only save time and money on search and rescue missions–but they may also save more lives in these scenarios.  Oregon recently passed a law requiring PLB’s on all climbers attempting Mt. Hood. Read more