[at-l] Sense of Wilderness and Town Stops

[spiriteagle99@hotmail.com (Jim and/or Ginny Owen)]

Sly wrote:
>My feelings are you carry what you want.  If it makes your trip more
>enjoyable, so be it.

Sly -
LOL!!!!  - you just opened up the box, my friend.  For some people the cell 
phone makes their hike more enjoyable - for some it's the radio, for some 
it's a computer.  And for some of us, it's none of the above.

I started a flame war on this list 6 years ago by arguing Weary and RnR's 
points.  In fact, I'm listening to RnR parrot much of what I said then.  And 
that was before cell phones were common.  Unfortunately, that particular 
battle is entirely lost.  It was lost when HiTech took his computer on the 
Trail in 96, it was lost when someone discovered the joys of ordering pizza 
and having it delivered to the 501 shelter, it was lost when PDAs  and cell 
phones became common and roaming charges became "reasonable", it was lost 
when the Iridium system went operational.

It's no longer a question of "How do we keep these things off the Trail or 
out of the backcountry?".  The question now is - "How can we educate those 
who bring them to use them in a way that minimizes the impact on others?"  
The secondary question is "How can *I* achieve the degree of *wildness* that 
*I* seek in a world that's been invaded by these devices?" And the answer to 
that second question is specifically the message of HYOH for those who 
understand it.  The answer isn't in the physical world, but in your own mind 
- even on the PCT and the CDT, Rick. Seems to me I learned that from a 
Buddhist, Shane - back when I was one.  But I suspect I never really got 
over that, did I?

We didn't carry a cell phone on the CDT (it wouldn't work there anyway), we 
didn't carry a GPS - and we've never carried either radios or a computer.  
We haven't died yet.  And, for myself, if I do die out there - it's where 
I'd want it to happen anyway, so what's to complain about?

Oh, yeah - for Weary - Shane's right - if you want "real" wilderness, the 
maps are also an intrusion. The Indians didn't use maps - nor did the 
mountain men. The production of maps is the first stage of civilization.  
Most people don't seem to realize that.  But  unmapped "wilderness" is hard 
to find today, isn't it?

The end of one of those flame wars way back when was when someone asked if 
the ultimate "wilderness" experience wouldn't be to go out with "nothing" - 
no pack, sleeping bag, stove, boots, etc.  And my answer was YES.  Remember 
that, Daniel?  Well - the chorus of denials to the contrary, it's still 
true.

However, RnR's contention that the written intention of the Trail's creators 
was that the AT be a place where technology should be excluded is pure 
bullhockey.  That's RnR's belief (or rather what he'd like to believe) - but 
there's no basis in fact for it. If you'd like to come up with specific 
references for that, I'll be happy to read them, RnR - otherwise your'e 
blowin' smoke again.

Walk softly,
Jim

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