I guess we all have stories where a decision is made whether we consider ourselves in danger or not. Here is my story:

Like many of you, I have a SPOT and purchased it for those times I solo hike. I have been backpacking since 1965 (44 years).

The story below is about a situation that I had a couple years ago and never considered using the 911 button... it's a little long.

It was September of 2007 and I had planned a second year of cross country hiking (the previous year I broke off from the JMT at the Center Basin Junction and headed up and over Junction, Shepherd, Rockwell Pass to Wallace lake exiting Trail Crest).

I had planned to do the same trip with a couple different variations.

The first day was brutal; I was struggling to get over Keasrage Pass. My energy level was non-existent, my breathing was labored. I'd take a few steps and stop to breathe; take a few steps and again stop. Just before the pass, a friend that was day hiking with me took my pack and I finally made it to Keasarge Pass, more tired than I ever have been; but I made it (I might add that the pass year saw a broken bone in my foot that caused me to stop running for 7 months. I knew that I was out of shape and it showed. That was the reason, right?).

I wasn't terribly worried about my performance on the first day since I have labored in previous years, but rebounded the second day and all was good.

I reached Kearsarge Lake and made camp and went for a long swim. Usually the swim invigorates me and sets me on the road to feeling good. This time was different. I couldn't quite put a reason on it, but I was really weak and tired. Okay, maybe I need a little more acclimation.

The second day took me down toward Bullfrog and down toward Vidette Meadows. It was downhill but that didn't seem to matter. At Vidette, I sat down next to the bear box that I normally stop at. I was exhausted. I tried to eat my way into feeling better since again, I had no energy. Finally, I decided to set up my tent and crash for a while hoping that something would kick in and I'd be on my marry way. Three hours later I decided that sitting, doing nothing wasn't going to get me to my next destination, Center Basin Junction.
I packed up the tent and started up the canyon toward Forester Pass and the Center Basin cutoff.
It wasn't long before I hit the wall; no energy, no stamina, breathing was labored... I'd take 10 steps and stop for several minutes. I repeated this scenario until I reached my destination.
I set up camp and started to question going on. I meet some really nice hikers and decided to take the next day off and see if I could revitalize myself. I laid around camp eating as much as I could and trying to figure out what was going on. I also decided to change course and head over Forester Pass. I figured that I would be on the main trail if something happened.

The nice hikers, 6 of them, were producer types. One, a Mark Krenzien (google him) gave me the keys to his Mercedes SUV since they felt I should hike out. I ended up hiking with them the next day, but at treeline, I called it a day and made the decision to hike out. I ended up hiking out the same way I came in.

Well, it took me three days to make it out, but I never considered hitting the 911 button. I never felt that I was in seriousness enough situation or danger to use my SPOT. I actually felt comfortable the whole time (maybe a little peeved at my abilities on the hike).

Part of the reason that I feel so comfortable is that I have made so many trips over the years, I know where everything is (but that maybe somewhat foolish..... a false sense?)

Well, that's my story.

paul