Rod,
I hate cell phones. The only reason I have one is the job.
Do I take it on hikes? Yeah, but that is to keep wifey happy and knowing full well were it will and will not work...this is a domestic tranquility issue.
Axeman,
The Main Mt. Whitney Trail is reclaimed as wilderness in the winter. I've been up to Trail Camp a few times where it has been just me and a few friends. Other times, we've few than a half dozen people. It is a completely different experience in the winter than summer.
