Cascade Range Cell Phone Coverage Advice?

Any suggestions on cell phone service concerning coverage around trail heads in the North/Central/South Cascades (Verizon, ect). Not expecting good coverage, but are any better then others. Ones to avoid. Value considered. Thanks.<br>

If you want best coverage then go with a service that offers dual-mode (digital and analog). Its usually more expensive, but it will serve you with the best coverage in the mtns.<br><br>You could also consider getting a hand-held 40 channel walkie talkie to give you some sort of chance in areas that have no mobile phone reception. I've purchased a few used ones to take with me on long hikes. They are cheap and the coverage is much more then an FMS radio.

My verizon service (dual mode, as hyak points out), from my experience, seems to out perform the others in the south cascades... either that or folks are tricking me out of cell phone time, telling me theirs doesn't get a signal.

nextel has always had better service then everything else i have tried. they are merging with sprint.

It may be my phone (an old Verizon) but my climbing partners and gf are all on Cingular/ATT and they seem to work better in canyoney places like Icicle Creek, although mine seems to work well on far off peaks with decent but long line of sight, especially if you have to use analog mode. I really think it's my phone though, the thing is a peice. So, to answer your question, my vote would be for Verizon with a newer tri-mode phone that has as big a battery as you can find.

If your wanting to use the phone strictly for emergency use just get any old analog phone that works and take it along. All phones, no matter if you have a contract to use it or not will allow free 911 calls. Even an old Motorola Brick will still work, though that would be a little heavy for packing. An old flip-phone would work good. <br><br>FYI