Any hiking group is only as strong as its weakest member. It is never a good idea to split up, unless each of the split-off groups are led by a strong leader with a good, well understood plan that is understood by all concerned. Stay together if at all possible, so that if the weaker members have problems the stronger ones can help them.
Never, never leave weaker hikers on their own! This often leads to SAR call-outs and sometimes tragedy.
Comms in the mountains are difficult. Don't count on "walky-talkys" to work well in our mountains. The Delorme devices work well, but are expensive and not always reliable. Even local SAR teams often have radio communication problems, and they have the best equipment.
