Originally Posted by green granite
Presumably an ELT would have a very short range in that sort of terrain, especially if deep down in a narrow valley.
I know that terrain pretty well, and it's pretty open. You are right that if the ELT can't be picked up, that indicates either that it is/was defective, or that the craft is sitting in some ravine somewhere. It surprises me greatly that he hasn't been found yet, given (as 411A says) the dedication and expertise of the California CAP (who I presume would be called for such a search).
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