Grant Rawlinson may have come up with an original use for GPS tracking devices. Earlier this month, the thirty-seven-year-old resident of India started out on two-month expedition on Mt. Everest. What did he bring along? Besides the regular food, clothing, and survival gear, Rawlinson will be carrying a mobile phone outfitted with a personal tracking system.

Rawlinson is carrying the device to provide peace of mind for his friends and family, particularly his mother. Recently, Rawlinson was delayed on an expedition for two days, sending his mother into a panic. She called the police.

Now, he hopes the GPS personal tracking device in his phone will keep similar events from happening. the phone will allow his wife to locate him via satellite on a map as well as communicate with him through email. In addition, Rawlinson can use the GPS outfitted phone to update his blog throughout the expedition.

While most of us aren’t planning on climbing Mt. Everest any time soon, we probably can think of our own, unique potential uses of GPS Trackers. Most of us regularly engage in some sort of dangerous activity or have family or friends who do.

Old-timer Mt. Everest climbers used to rely on improvised methods involving snow and sleeping bags to create signals to send base camp. Rawlinson’s family is happy he doesn’t have to use these same devices.

Article Written by Katharin Stephens