h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

A mobile phone.
Much of what is consaidered wilderness has some mobile cover so if you get stuck you can call the emergency services.

That's true, Duncan. Some guidelines on 'How to survive a plane crash' name five things to take care for: water, shelter, medical care, food, communication.

If you can call out for help some way or another (by radio, mobile phone, smoke signals, strobe lights, ...) that will probably solve your problem. The art is to survive *until* you can call for help.

Useful hint, nevertheless.

Jeremy

My problem is that there's no hope of mobile phone cover where I hike...

A few years ago you could buy wonderful satellite phones which while a little bulky could reach the phone network from literally anywhere in the world, as long as you are outdoors. Unfortunately not enough people bought the things and the company has gone bust. Very annoying as it was a superb idea.

I sometimes use a two-way radio, which has a short-wave setting... very useful but only if somebody knows the frequency you're using.