Recommendations for Garmin inReach® Mini: Innovative satellite communication devices that everyone entering the mountain should know about

What is Inreach?

In 2018, Garmin released inReach Explorer®+ (hereinafter referred to as Explorer+) and inReach® Mini (hereinafter referred to as Mini) Both are two-way mail systems with location information that utilize an iridium satellite network, and can also be sent via SOS. Explorer + can be used as an independent GPS because it can be displayed on the main unit. The Mini is an ultra-lightweight satellite communication device. You can easily create emails by connecting both to your smartphone via Bluetooth. The Earthmate app can also be used as an independent GPS app.

Garmin currently sells inReach, but inReach is originally a product of a company called DeLorme. This is the result of Garmin's acquisition of Delore in 2016. Delore was established in 1976, and sold American topographic maps, with a market share of over 40%. In 2011, the company launched a two-way communication device using an iridium satellite network. The reason why the design of the inReach website and Garmin website is different is that they are originally different.

In early 2012, inReach became a hot topic among American hikers. Discussed on the PCT* mailing list. It seemed like an ideal device for the safety of hikers. So I bought the first generation of inReach in 2012 and used it until 2016. I later switched to Derore's Explorer and am still using it today. This time, I was able to borrow a Mini (Photo 1) from the Outdoor Gearzine, so I would like to compare it with the old model and check its performance.

*PCT: Abbreviation for the Pacific Crest Trail, a long trail that spans 1,600km in length on the West Coast of the United States.

table of contents

• What can you do
• What to do first
• Basic usage
• Differences between inReach Mini and Explorer (old model)
• American hikers
• Examples of use in Okutama
• Feelings of use of inReach Mini
• When did it help?
• To sum up

What can you do

• The Iridium satellite network covers the entire world. This allows two-way email to be used around the world and SOS can be sent. Due to political circumstances, the company excludes Cuba, Iran, South Korea, Sudan, Syria, Crimea, and others.
• If you can see the sky above, you can exchange emails with friends from anywhere, even if your mobile phone doesn't work. Friends can see the sender's location on a map and send emails.
• Three preset messages can be created and sent to multiple locations at the same time. This message is free no matter how many times you send it.
• You can connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth and create messages freely in a familiar way. However, Japanese cannot be displayed on an inReach device. It is safer to write messages in Roman letters or English.
• You can connect it to a Garmin smartwatch and exchange GPX files etc. In this case, you will need to use a site called Garmin Connect.
• The Earthmate app can also be used independently as a GPS app. The advantage is that it downloads a wide range of topographic maps during initial setup.
• MapShare allows you to share your location and messages with friends with maps. You can also post on Facebook and Twitter.
• Press the SOS button and an emergency signal will be sent to an organization called GEOS with location information, and a global rescue operation will begin. However, this is a last resort.
• Account holders can take up to $100,000 rescue insurance for $18 a year.

Since August 2018, messages have not been able to be posted to Facebook timeline due to security reasons. However, you can clear this issue by pasting a MapShare link on your blog or Facebook page.

What to do first

Satellite Communications Contract

After purchasing the inReach Mini, you will need to sign an Iridium satellite communications contract. There are individual plans and professional plans. There are four types of personal plans: Safety, Recreation, Expedition, and Extreme. Here we will explain the Safety plan for individuals.

The prices for the Safety plan are in the vertical row at the far left of Photo 2. Up to 10 text messages are included in the fee, and if you exceed that, you will be charged $0.5 per message. Getting the weather forecast counts as one message. Tracking is $0.1 per track. If this is a yearly contract, it would be $12 a month, and if it is a free contract, it would be $15 a month. Freedom agreements can be signed on a monthly basis when necessary, but when you change your contract, you may be charged a $25 fee, so think carefully. Preset messages are free, so if you use them well, you can use them surprisingly cheaply.

Create your own account on the ExploreGarmin.com page (Photo 3) and make the specified selection, and a satellite communications contract will be concluded. This page also allows you to set up your own inReach environment, so be careful. A computer is required for maintenance of this page, etc. You cannot upgrade the firmware using just a smartphone.

Once you have completed your contract online, you need to activate your device. This is easy, just go to a place where the sky is visible, turn on the Mini and wait a while (Photo 4).

Bluetooth pairing

Install an app called Earthmate on your smartphone. When you start it, a map will appear, but the three vertical dots in the top right are the menu. Click here to see the following menus: Sync, Pair, Settings, and Help. Choose this pair. On the other hand, in inReach, turn on Bluetooth and select Pairing mode. After a while, you will see an inReach device that can be paired with your smartphone. Click this to complete the pairing. Photo 5 is on the way.

When paired, the menu contents in the top right will change (Photo 6). Select Download and download the map. The basic map is OpenStreetMap, and topographic maps of Japan are downloaded all at once. If you're interested, you can download other maps as well.

The other menu is the three lines in the word Map in the top left. Click here to see the basic menu (Photo 7). Log on: Map, Message, Tracking, Way-points, Routes, Compass, History, My inReach, Weather, SOS. I often use Maps and Messages.

firmware

Connect your computer to inReach using a USB cable and upgrade the firmware using a software called inReachSync. At this time, the account will also be synchronized, so preset texts, contacts, etc. will also be transferred to inReach. Photo 8 shows an image when this software is running.

Firmware upgrades occur once every few months and are essential for stable operation, so check it out from time to time to keep your inReach Mini up to date.

Next page: Go to basic usage

Basic usage

[Addendum from the editorial department] In addition to the basic usage explained here, I have written a new article about more practical usage. If you are interested, please also refer to the following article.

Practical use of Garmin inReach, a accessible satellite communication device, when hiking - two-way messaging, how to link with Facebook, etc.

Read more

Creating an email

Preset Messages

Preset messages became free about two years ago. You can send as many times as you like. So it's best to make the most of this. Since you select a message using the key, it takes time to complete the order of messages 1, 2, and 3. Therefore, it is best to use the content that is frequently used in Message 1, and the content that is often used in Message 2 and 3. Normally, three types of preset messages would be enough.

In my case,

• Rest stop. I will go further. --Break, plans to go further
• Lunch time. I rest at least for half an hour. --Lunch time is over 30 minutes.
• Tent here. A good place to spend a night.- A tent here, a good place to spend the night.

That was. In short, it's just a break, lunch and a tent. You will take a break every 1-2 hours, so at that time you will be able to send your current location via inReach Mini. Even if you are lost and unable to send an SOS, the search area is narrow, so it will be quick to discover. An example setting is shown in Photo 9.

Preset messages are delivered simultaneously to Mapshare and multiple e-mail addresses. There is also a Facebook option on the English version of the web page, but it appears that the Japanese version has been removed to avoid any problems.

Quick Text Message

Quick text messages are useful if you want to receive emails and respond quickly. Select OK, Reply, and Pick Quick Text for the messages received. After selecting a quick text message, add it with Write Message and reply with Send. Photo 9 is the default sample. You can customize this to your own.

Here is an example of a quick text message.

• I'm checking in, everything is okay. --I checked in. Everything is OK
• I'm starting from here. --I'm starting here
• I'm going to be late.

Some hotels are out of range from mobile phones and have to reply via inReach Mini. That's probably the case in the first sentence. The second and third are intended for use on hiking. Reply is a paid message, so if you have a smartphone, it's best to stay calm and write your message in Earthmate. Actually, I have created many messages, but I have never used it. After setting up a tent and finishing the meal, I decided to write one paid message.

Creating messages using your smartphone

Japanese characters are available, but they are not displayed in inReach and become indecipherable. So I write my message in English. Roman alphabets are very difficult to read, so I prefer simple English. There is a strict character limit of 160 characters, so you just need to understand. I write after dinner, so even English is about the place name and time.

Photo 10 shows a sample sent by the author from the United States. It means "Dinner at Muir Pass, starting at 6:40, Laconte 9:00, Big Petty Meadow 9:40, Thunder and Lightning, Muir Pass 17:10, Tent 17:30," which is not enough to be called English. This message will reach Japan within minutes.

Using Japanese

Japanese cannot be displayed on Explorer + or Mini itself. Earthmate also did not support Japanese. Therefore, I have used it in simple English. However, before I knew it, accounts on Earthmate and Garmin websites became available in Japanese. Japanese is also available, except that it is not displayed on Garmin devices.

Photo 11 shows the result of creating a Japanese message using Earthmate on your smartphone and sending it via inReach Mini. Earthmate displays Japanese, but not in the inReach Mini.

Mapshare

Mapshare is software that displays your messages, longitude and latitude location information, etc. on a map, and was handed over from Delore. You can set the period and password to display it from the social tab of your account, and take some security measures.

However, it is unclear whether it is because I use an English site or if it is a bug in the web page, but even if I filter the display period, if I share the URL of Mapshare, the filter will be turned off. So I've changed the name of this URL. This will not display the current position before that.

To allow people who view the map to reply, check the options, as shown in Photo 12. Depending on your contract, receiving emails costs $0.5, so be aware of that.

Set Mapshare as a replyable option and share it with a friend and you'll be able to share an image like Photo 14-a. Click on the details of your current location in the center to attach information such as latitude, longitude, altitude, movement speed, and more.

Clicking on the speech bubble will display a message creation window, where your friend can write a message here and send it (Photo 14-b). This reply can be received even in mountains where mobile radio waves are not connected, and can be read on inReach Mini or on a paired smartphone.

Use on Facebook

To publish Mapshare to only specific friends, just copy the Map-share URL to your Facebook timeline and set the privacy of the post. Another option is to create a private page that shows your location information so that only members can view it. Photo 15 is a sample of the author. In this case, Mapshare can be set to public.

Next page: Go to inReach Mini menu

inReach Mini Menu

Photo 16-a is the default screen that appears immediately after turning on the power. The menu when you operate the up/down scroll keys on the left side of the unit will appear in the following order.

• Messages: Check the received messages and create new messages.
• Mail Check: This is when you intentionally check email. Normally, emails are received automatically and a sound is generated.
• Tracking: Select to start tracking.
• Location: Check the latitude and longitude of your current location.
• Displays movement speed and direction.
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth menu.
• Weather: Get the weather forecast for your current location.

This shows the menu that appears when you press the OK button on the right of the unit after turning on the power. Send Preset appears first (Photo 16-b).

• Send Preset: Choose from three preset messages. This preset message is usually enough.
• Start Tracking: Start tracking. The Stop Tracking menu appears
• New Message: Write a new message. First, select the destination of the message in Select Contacts. There are also Facebook and Twitter here. However, I am currently unable to post on my Facebook timeline. Next, there is a menu for Write Message and Pick Quick Text.
• Mark Waypoint: Mark a waypoint
• Navigate: Start navigation
• Utilities: Test, Contacts, Data Use
• Setup: Dispaly, Tracking, Bluetooth, etc.

You can start either way, but if you want to use a lot of preset messages, you can use the menu by pressing the power on and OK buttons.

weather forecast

Inreach has started a weather forecasting service. The forecast displays visual icons, temperature and precipitation probability. It is convenient for outdoor activities. However, the results are only displayed on the device and are not transferred to the smartphone. The results of the inquiry are shown in Photo 17. The response time was very fast, and received approximately one minute later.

The basic weather forecast for inReach Mini displayed two-day weather, temperature and precipitation probability. At this time, the temperature remained in Fahrenheit because no initial settings were made. The premium version displays weather, temperature and precipitation probability every few hours for seven days. Then you will automatically be charged one dollar.

SOS Send

The SOS button appears when you open the cover at the bottom right of the unit. American hikers accidentally pressed the SOS button many times, and each time a helicopter was dispatched. That makes it impossible to press easily.

To perform an SOS transmission, press and hold this button and the inReach Mini will emit an emergency signal. The item is received by an international rescue organization called GEOS, and a confirmation email is sent from it. At that time, he replies that it is a truly emergency.

The inReach Mini continues to send GPS information until rescue operations take place. The unit cannot be turned off when in SOS mode. If you no longer need to send SOS, press and hold the button to cancel SOS and select Yes. This will output a cancellation message and inReach Mini will return to normal mode.

SOS is the last resort

The SOS button is a last resort, so you should not press it except in cases of a desperate situation. Rescue by helicopter is costly. In the United States, there was a case where the SOS button was pressed in a simple accident, and at that time there was a lot of criticism. Here is an example that I remember.

• This year, this incident occurred near Mount Whitney in the United States. I lost sight of the trail and ended up at night, but I had day equipment and didn't have any food. I was at a loss and sent the SOS. However, as dawn had passed, I was able to calm down and investigate the surroundings and return to the original trail. He was injured in his knee, but he was not particularly serious so he refused to take the item by helicopter. He was thrilled by other American hikers who learned of this. Even if you lose sight of the trail, you won't be able to die in just one day. It's not too late to send an SOS after a day. Helicopter dispatch is dangerous and costly.
• This is another example of a mountain accident in Japan that was featured in mountain magazines this year. She slid down into the valley, injured her leg and couldn't walk. It was impossible to climb the cliff and return to the original trail, while trying to descend along the river was a waterfall and I couldn't move. In this example, we didn't have an SOS transmitter such as inReach, so it took about a week to rescue. In such cases, SOS transmission should be performed using inReach. If you have inReach, it'll only take a day to rescue.

GPS may not work in narrow valleys. This will take some time to rescue the SOS because there is no location information even if you send it. As mentioned in the example of use, you should send your current location every time you take a break. This will significantly reduce the search range, and the chances of being rescued will increase even if GPS information cannot be sent.

Differences between inReach Mini and Explorer (old model)

Here we will explain the major differences between inReach Mini and the Explorer (old model) owned by the author. I don't know about the current Explorer + (maps can be displayed on the main unit), but I think the operability is similar to the old Explorer.

• The Mini weighs 100g, and the old Explorer weighs 190g. The Mini weighs about half the weight and has little effect on its performance.
• The Mini's GPS position accuracy and location speed are comparable to that of the old Explorer. Both were very accurate when the power was turned on and the message was sent and confirmed. However, under adverse conditions such as thick clouds and forests, the positional calculation of the Mini GPS converges poorly.
• The Mini menu is simplified, so you may be confused at first, but quickly get used to it. In particular, it's good that the preset message menu appears immediately. On the other hand, in the old Explorer, you can scroll sideways and select the screen, making it easy to understand.
• Mini does not change the screen immediately when you send a message. Returning to the top menu, an arrow appears while sending, but this is difficult to understand. The old Explorer is easy to understand as the symbols currently being sent appear immediately after sending.
• The Mini starts when you turn on the power. It's simple and good, but I don't remember operating it, but the power was turned on three times. Even if you press the ON switch, if you do not move the cursor and select the power ON, the old Explorer will automatically turn off. Although it is inconvenient, the old Explorer is safe in terms of battery drainage.

The Mini is super compact, but generally has good operability. The performance is roughly the same as the old Explorer. The display screen is small so it takes a little time to get used to it. On the other hand, the old Explorer has a flat menu that is easy to understand. It is also a cautious design, asking for confirmation after turning on the power.

American hikers

Even when observing American hikers, half of them wear some sort of satellite communication device (Photo 19). Mobile phones don't work in the mountains. There are few hikers too. If you are unable to move, such as by breaking your legs, you will have no life if you cannot send SOS with location information.

On the John Muir Trail in the summer of 2018, a massive wildfire in Yosemite area forced Yosemite National Park to be temporarily closed. I was a North facing JMT, stayed at Vermilion Valley Village, where I was able to use WiFi in a special way, so I got news about the fire situation, including Facebook.

However, other American hikers couldn't use phones or WiFi, making them unable to grasp the situation at all. So I told other Americans about the fire situation, but the leader of one group had inReach so they had the information. Yosemite continued to close. This group, including the author, did not aim for Yosemite, and after going through Duck Lake, they escaped to the Mammoth.

In this way, we want to consider inReach Mini and Explorer+ as a two-way mail system, not an SOS transmitter. You can send and receive emails no matter how deep your mobile phone is, so it can be used to collect information, etc. And if you gather information properly, you can end up avoiding emergencies such as accidents. With that in mind, I think the Safety plan ($12/month, yearly contract) is way too cheap.

Next page: To use cases in Okutama

Examples of use in Okutama

Let me show you an example how I use it on the Okutama route (counterclockwise). The tracing function is paid, but preset messages are free no matter how many times you send them, so sometimes you walk while sending your current location. Normally, it would be about three nights and four days, but I walked for four nights with a rest.

As explained earlier, my preset message is

• Rest stop. I will go further. --Break, plans to go further
• Lunch time. I rest at least for half an hour. --Lunch time is over 30 minutes.
• Tent here. A good place to spend a night.- A tent here, a good place to spend the night.

It is. This is simplified as L (lunch), R (rest), and T (tent), and fill in the paid message on the map in Photo 20 as $.

first day

The preset messages for inReach Mini are L, R, R, and T from Hatonosu Station. After lunch, I received a Have a Good Trip! from a friend. He didn't reply. This is because it costs $0.5. When you receive the product, you will receive a loud warning sound, so you can immediately check the contents on the inReach Mini itself.

We secured 8 liters of water at the water point on Mt. Kawamoshi and set up a tent on the nearby ridge, but it got dark. There were quite a lot of clouds and the weather was bad. After the meal, I tried to send a message to close the day, but my GPS didn't converge and I gave up. It must be because the clouds were thick.

Day 2

The weather had improved in the morning, so I sent a paid message to feel at ease. The content is

Clear sky, slept for a long time, steak of the last night was delicious. I will start in 30 minutes .

It was.

The following preset messages are R, R, R, L, R, R, T. We took a photo of Mt. Fuji at the peak of Mt. Kawamoshi, lunch at Sobakuriyama, repaired a water source with a full water (repairing the off-pipe, fixing the pipe with rocks, stacking the water bucket horizontally, etc.), and arrived at Toritani Hutya at 16:40. It was unmanned so I stayed overnight. The final paid message is

Now, Toritani hut.no one here, started 7:30, Odori-daira 9:00, Mt.Sobatsubu, lunch, 11:00, Ippaimizu 13:30, here 16:40
Now, Toritani hut, there's no one, 7:30 Start, Odori-daira 9:00, Lunch at Soba Ruruyama 11:00, a drink of water 13:30, here 16:40

It was.

Toritani Hut is located on a steep slope and the sky is not very open. It took about 5 minutes for preset messages, and over 10 minutes to send paid messages. I got the impression that Mini's GPS was weak against bad conditions. The old model Explorer takes a little time, but it takes less than 10 minutes.

Day 3

The weather and health are getting better, so I'm walking smoothly. The preset messages were R, R, R, L, R, R, T. Lunch was near Imonoki Dokke, and I remember all the ups and downs of Nagasawa Shiryo and passed through without any difficulty. We arrived at Mt. Kumotori Campsite at 14:30. The weather was downhill, and I was able to use my smartphone in the bright lights, but I was out of range in the evening. The message after dinner is

Now Mt.Kumotori campsite : started 7:00, Mt.Nagasawa10:15, lunch 12:10, Mt.Imonoki-dokke 13:00, here 14:30

It was. It was also a hassle to send this message. When clouds arise, GPS position calculation seems to be delayed.

Day 4

The weather was cloudy, windy and cold. The preset messages were R, R, and T. The summit of Mt. Kumotori was out of range, and Mt. Fuji was only visible, making my motivation less powerful, and from Mt. Nanatsuishi, Takamaruyama passed through the makita road. We set up a tent at the Takanosuyama campsite around noon. The final paid message is

Mt. Takanosu campsite: started 7:30, Mt. Kumotori, slight view of Fuji, Alternative trail of Mt. Nanatsuishiyama, here 11:50
Now, Takanosuyama Campsite starts at 7:30, only a few Mt. Fuji is visible, Mt. Nanatsuishi is a makita road, here 11:50.

I couldn't think of the English word for "mocking" so I decided to use another path, but since it's not very well-structured, it doesn't seem that bad. I secured 8 liters of water, took a nap and spent the tent until after dinner. According to the radio, it rains at night. There was no one in the shelter, so I put away the tent and moved in.

Day 5

On the final day, we took a picture of Mt. Fuji at Mt. Takanosu, and then we just went down the road. The preset messages were R, R, R, L, R. There was no need for paid messages, but the weather was on the rise. So I waited an hour at Mt. Takanosu and took a photo of Mt. Fuji. Because you should not be worried about it,

Waiting for a clear view of Mt.Fuji. cloudy, rained at night
, waiting until Mt.Fuji looked beautiful, it rained last night

I sent it. After finishing the stone ridge, we had lunch and from here we were within the distance of our smartphone. Send R near Okutama Town. We made it possible to confirm that we arrived safely.

Feelings of use of inReach Mini

The inReach Mini is a small 100g case packed with iridium satellite communication devices and GPS devices. The screen is small and the display is simplified. The GPS performance is not that high.

If you use the old model of Explorer, the message "3D" will appear when the GPS position calculation is complete. If you know the iridium satellite and are in communication, two-way ⇅ will be displayed. So, you can understand that communication will end after a short wait.

However, in inReach Mini, you cannot tell whether GPS position calculation has finished unless you switch to the Location screen in the menu. Also, unless you return to the top screen, you won't know if you've grasped the Iridium satellite. This is Photo 23. It's still inconvenient.

GPS devices grasp three or more GPS satellites, use the slight time difference in radio waves from them to calculate their current position, and use the provisional position to calculate their own calculations repeatedly to reduce errors. Considering that the current position has converged when this error is within the acceptable range.

The Mini built-in GPS works quickly in sunny weather. The position error is very accurate at about 1 meter. However, the speed of position calculations is significantly reduced when cloudy or in forests. The GPS unit may not be very sensitive. Anyway, I will not try to finish the position calculation until an accurate position is calculated.

In fact, I always carry a standalone GPS called the Map64s. This GPS is extremely excellent, and calculates the current position in 10-20 seconds after power is turned on and displays the map. They successfully calculate the location in the forest, on trains and buses. Garmin's independent GPS is a strategy where even if there is an error of around 100 to 200 meters, it displays the current position for now, then corrects the error in 1 to 2 minutes, and suppresses the error to about 1 meter. It's a bit rough, but practical.

InReach Mini and the old Explorer do not consider the position calculation to be completed until the exact location is determined using GPS. I feel the difference between strategy, or calculation philosophy. It seems they don't like sending inaccurate location information. DeLore was absorbed by Garmin about two years ago, but I got the impression that DeLore still exists independently within Garmin.

Explorer + can display maps, but it is assumed that it is far from the Garmin Map64s based on GPS performance and location calculation algorithms. Standalone GPS such as the Map 64s also has the advantage that you can download free topographic maps from around the world from GPSFileDepot (https://www.gpslepot.com/). For the time being, it would be more advantageous to use both standalone GPS and inReach Mini.

When GPS does not converge

What should I do when the GPS location calculation doesn't converge and I can't send an email? Since Mini is mostly aware of the iridium satellite, it is best to ignore the GPS and send an email. In other words, if you can't send an email no matter how long it takes, leave your smartphone as is.

1. Turn off the inReach Mini and then turn it on.
2. If you are sending a message, the Wait for GPS and Send Anyway selection menu appears.
3. Select Send Anyway.

If necessary, make this choice to resolve the problem. If the message is being sent, resetting your smartphone will not cause the message to be lost. In my experience, I think that turning on inReach before creating a message on a smartphone increases the chances of successful transmission.

When did it help?

Let me explain some of the experiences that I have had incredibly useful.

The water filter is broken

In August 2012, while walking south from Yosemite on the John Muir Trail, the water filter pump broke after passing Muir Pass. The water in America is not clean, and I want to drink fresh water, which was very troublesome. Fortunately, I was with the Japanese hiker for a while, so I borrowed a water purifier for the day. I was planning to meet my wife at the bishop and meet up. So we sent in to secure a water purifier through inReach.

The Bishop has a large mountaineering equipment store, but there is no guarantee that it will always be in stock. I had a water filter secured by the time I arrived. This was the first generation inReach. At this time, I ignored my location information and sent it, so I apparently was in Africa.

The camera is broken

I retired in July 2015, so I stayed in Pinedale for two months and hiked Winds. When I went on my second hike, the autofocus on my SLR didn't work. Manual focus was possible, but it was inconvenient. So I sent an email to my Japanese wife on inReach asking me to send an alternative camera. When I returned to the hotel after my second hike, another SLR was waiting for me.

After the first hike, I happened to have successfully hitchhiked and got in the car. However, it was on the rough road at Winds's number one, and my body was jumping up and down in the car. At this time, the autofocus part of the lens broke, and the camera itself was on the verge of collapse, and after a while it stopped working. However, thanks to the alternative models, we were able to take many spectacular views of Winds. This is also thanks to the first generation of inReach. It is common for American regional cities to have no camera shops.

Muscle rupture

In August 2017, I was walking northward along the John Muir Trail. It was a record-breaking snowy year, and I avoided going to the cross country and did quite a bit of cross country. Perhaps that's why the muscles in my legs were tired. As soon as I jumped over the stream and landed on the rock on the other side of the bank, I felt a great deal of pain in my left foot. I later learned that it was a torn calf muscle.

It was still south of Mother Pass, and it was two nights and three days away from Bishop. So I met my wife and planned to walk the loop trail, which includes the Muir Pass. It was a very difficult task, but taking painkillers made me feel painless and I was able to walk. I was contacted inReach and was late due to a leg injury. In the end, my wife extended my stay at the motel for about three days. I couldn't get much strength in my legs on the climb, so I arrived at the Bishop a day late.

I had internal bleeding in my leg, so I gave up on the loop trail and went on a two-night, three-day round trip hike to Bishop Pass. My legs recovered in about a week and walked to Yosemite. The device used at this time was the inReach Explorer, and I'm still using it today.

I didn't press the SOS button. A muscle rupture is because only a few muscles are broken and you can walk by taking painkillers. If it's an Achilles tendon, SOS will be inevitable.

To sum up

GPS of inReach Mini has the drawback that GPS converges slowly under adverse conditions. However, if the weather is good, the location information is accurate. If the GPS does not converge, two-way communication using iridium satellites is possible anywhere. The cost of the equipment is around 40,000 yen, and if operated on a one-year contract it costs $12 a month. It weighs 100 grams. To be honest, there's no reason not to use it.

Do not press the SOS button on the inReach Mini unless you are in a desperate situation. If you're in a difficult situation, you can simply send an email to an acquaintance and try to overcome the situation, even without using the SOS button. Currently, there are very few Japanese users of inReach, so I have disclosed my experience and how to use it.

It is not uncommon in mountains in Japan that it is missing and it takes a week or two to search. If the search takes a long time, it won't help anyone who will save them. However, this kind of thing can be prevented by installing inReach Mini. I hope that tragic disasters will disappear in Japan.

In addition, I borrowed inReach Mini from Outdoor Gearzine and got the opportunity to write a review. I would like to state that I am simply an old user of inReach and have no interest in Garmin.

[Addendum from the editorial department] As mentioned earlier, in addition to the basic usage explained here, I have written a new article about more practical usage. If you are interested, please also refer to the following article:

Practical use of Garmin inReach, a accessible satellite communication device, when hiking - two-way messaging, how to link with Facebook, etc.

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Murakami Nobuhiro

Born in 1950. Currently, he is a professor emeritus at Toyama University. His specialty is educational psychology and educational measurement. His outdoor-related works include "The Complete Collection of Outdoors" (Sanichi Shobo), "Outdoor Tools: The World of Backpacking" (Shunjusha), and "Hiking Handbook" (Shinyosha). In terms of psychology, there are also some such topics: "Psychological Tests Was a Lie" (Nikkei BP), "What Can Psychology Understand?" and "Intellects to Be Defeated" (Chikuma Shobo). His recent works include "American Hiking Encyclopedia" (Ai Publishing), which compiles the know-how of the author who has been hiking numerous American long trails every year, including the Glacier, the John Muir Trail, and Winds.