I have found a workamping job for the summer at Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern CA.  I will be at a remote campground in the NE part of the park.  I have made a list of questions to ask the Administrator, including the internet and cell phone service.  I will be using an aircard so I'm thinking if I have one then I'll have the other.  There is a ranger station next to the campground so it seems like there would be good communications available.

What is the experience of you folks with your cell phones in national parks and especially in wilderness areas?  If anyone has been to Lassen, I would especially be interested to hear from you.  Thanks.

gypsy

SOmetimes you have service and sometimes you do not. You will increase your odds ALOT if you have an external antenna and amplifier. I don't know about that particular park, though.

Gypsy, according to the link below there is no cell phone, internet or TV service in the park. http://eduscapes.com/mm/trips/lassen/lassen.htm

Sandra, thanks for the link.  I read it differently, though:

"we had full-hookups (no cell phone or TV because of the trees), a luxury not available in the national park."

 

I take this to mean that the full hookups are the luxury as the park has water only for campers (but includes sewer for the cg hosts).  I'm still hoping I can get connected there, but if I can't I will deal with it.

gypsy

I've been doing a lot of checking and find that I probably won't have cell phone or internet service at the campground, although I may be able to pick it up in certain areas of the park.  My question is about keeping up my blog:  I haven't figured out a way to write a blog entry in MS Word or other word processer and upload it to Blogger.  Can someone enlighten me as I'm sure it can be done.  I'd really like to keep up with journaling my experiences this summer and I would be motivated to write a daily entry if I knew I could post from time to time.  Thanks.  And of course if anyone knows of a way to boost up my internet connection short of spending thousands of dollars on satellite, just shout, please.

gypsy

Gypsy, I use Windows Live Writer to write my blog when I don't have internet service and then you can save it and upload it when you get to an internet area.  Here is the link to download the program:  http://www.windowslive.com/Desktop/writer   Hope this will help you. It also makes it a lot easier to load photos onto your blog. If you have questions, just private message me or catch me on chat and I will give you my email address.  Netters