14er Trail with Cell Coverage bottom to top?

[wallywest]

Hi, folks. I know there are some threads about cellular phone coverage out there, but I couldn't find what I was looking for. I was hoping one of you would be able to tell me which 14er trail I would be most likely to find cell coverage from the TH to the summit. Ideally, I am looking for something that is < 2 hour drive from Vail. Any help?

[tmathews]

Princeton's probably a good bet.

[peter303]

Should ALWAYS presume there will be no coverage.
Especially when you need it.

[Greenhouseguy]

I think that I had cell coverage on Mt. Elbert from start to finish.

[SurfNTurf]

I was sending texts up and down Quandary, with AT&T. Yet somehow I have dropped calls in my living room.

[wallywest]

Should ALWAYS presume there will be no coverage.
Especially when you need it.

Agreed 100%. I would never PLAN on having it.

[Theodore]

Elbert has good coverage, I proposed to my now wife on the summit, she was texting and calling everyone under the sun on the way down.

I usually keep my phone off and in a pocket or in a pack, but I did have excellent service in the summit area of Lincoln.

[Derek]

Should ALWAYS presume there will be no coverage.

Yup.

I think that I had cell coverage on Mt. Elbert from start to finish.

Also yup. I even had decent internet on the summit. (Not that its needed...just sayin..) I use ATT.

--Derek

[mrburns]

To the OP, it looks like this is going to be your first attempt at a 14er and I assume you are asking about cell coverage for safety concerns etc. Please, please, please don't become one of the those people who insists on having the "guess where I am" conversation on the summit. I always carry a phone, but as Theo said, it is off and in a pocket or pack. End Rant. :D

[climbing_rob]

Ummmmm...... PERHAPS the OP simply has to climb somewhere that has continuous cell coverage because of professional or other personal reasons? Maybe not safety reasons?????? Simple question, which mountains afford this?

This situation happened to my GF recently; she was on call that day, and had to be reachable, hence HAD to remain in cell range. So we climbed Elbert.

[ocean_roots]

Definatly don't rely on coverage anywhere, and if you HAVE to have coverage that day, maybe a hike with coverage instead of a moutain? I had coverage the whole time on Quandry and before and after tree line on Holy Cross (AT&T). No where else for me...I didn't get any on Elbert, although I am reading a lot of others have.

[kaiman]

I would agree with the other posters that relying on cell phones in the backcountry is not a good idea, however, with that being said there is actually a page on 14ers.com that lists cell coverage on various routes: http://14ers.com/php14ers/cellreportmain.php

Cheers!

kaiman