I do a fair amount of hiking in the mountains around here and always take 3 HT's with me, primary, backup and spare. That way I have one to hand off to someone if needed, and one that's in a waterproof bag if the first two get ruined or lost. I also carry an FRS HT as that's what most other campers/hikers use. But after all that, the idea I can get on the radio out in the boonies and call for help is wishful thinking. Ham radio is better than nothing to be sure, but not by a lot. It's a tool in the tool box but compared to something like an inReach an HT is about on par with a signal mirror. I find the radio useful for other things (talking back to the XYL in the camper, other hams, WX radio, ISS/satellite, etc) and if it gets me out of a bind then check the box, but it's not really a solution for anything serious. That being said, there is a linked repeater system here in NM that covers a lot of the hinterland very well. Years ago a buddy of mine was on an extended hike in the back country and came upon a group on horseback with an injured rider. I heard my buddy call on the system, and got in touch with the sherriff up there who met them with EMS. A long shot on many levels but it worked out for that horseback rider that day.
Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM