In the backcountry help is farther away than it is in the city. That applies no matter how you call for help. I've got an inReach but I would expect it to be

In the backcountry help is farther away than it is in the city. That applies no matter how you call for help. I've got an inReach but I would expect it to be hours from pushing the button to help showing up unless it was something very urgent and there happened to be a chopper around that could reach where I was. On top of the highest peak in the area I wouldn't be surprised at help taking 8 hours to arrive. As for whether it's worth it--it depends on what you're doing. As a backcountry hiker that often goes solo I consider it essential insurance. If something happens that's likely the only way I would get help rather than ending up like the guy on our local mountains that disappeared a couple of weeks ago--certainly dead by now (there's no water to be had) but his body hasn't been found.