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[at-l] The Webhiker

WARNING           WARNING          WARNING           WARNING
IF YOU ARE OFFENDED BY THE USE OF THE TWO C'S ON THE TRAIL
STOP HERE.
There is a hiker (Mathew B. Olsen)hiking with a Cell phone and Computer this
year.
Using digital cameras and wireless communications links Mathew plans to
provide a pictorial and narrative journal of the trip. People all over the
world will be able to follow his trip in real time on the Internet at. 
http://www.webhiker.com.
 <A HREF="http://www.webhiker.com/">Web Hiker - AT98</A>
______________________________________________________________
PRESS RELEASE

Fifty years ago in 1948 Earl Shaffer completed the first thru-hike 
(end-to-end) of the 2,000 mile Appalachian Trail (AT). A few months 
before the start of this event Bell Labs announced the development of 
the first solid state transistor, the scientific achievement that has 
made the telecommunications and computer revolution possible. On or 
about March 16, 1998 Mathew B. Olsen, a senior honor student at the 
University of North Carolina (UNCC) and a native of Harvard, 
Massachusetts, will embark upon a journey to evaluate the impact of 
these two events on each other 50 years later. As a part of his honor’s 
thesis Mr. Olsen is evaluating the feasibility of using mobile computing 
technology to perform job functions or operate a business from isolated 
areas for long periods of time. In addition, he will be evaluating the 
impact the use of this technology will have on the experience of 
thru-hiking the AT. An MIS major in the Belk School of Business at UNCC 
Mathew Olsen is also an ardent hiker and has been hiking the White 
Mountains since the age of five. By the age of twelve he became a member 
of the Four Thousand Footer Club by hiking the 49 mountains in New 
Hampshire whose peaks reach over 4,000 feet high. In preparation for the 
trip Mr. Olsen has been developing his web site while evaluating what 
combination of available hardware and software would provide the best 
configuration of equipment to test on the trip. Using digital cameras 
and wireless communications links Mathew plans to provide a pictorial 
and narrative journal of the trip. People all over the world will be 
able to follow his trip in real time on the Internet at 
http://www.webhiker.com.

On the fiftieth anniversary of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail the 
relationship between the Trail and the outside world may be facing 
radical changes. Conceived in 1921 as a respite from the increasingly 
urbanized and technologically frenetic world of the twentieth century 
the Trail is enjoyed by millions of people each year. Yet the trail has 
never really been isolated from that world. Increasing numbers of day 
and weekend hikers are using the trail and bringing technology with 
them. Some of the technology has enhanced the experience on the trail 
while some has had questionable impact on the experience. Hikers have 
benefited from improved lightweight materials and designs in backpacks, 
tents, sleeping bags, clothing and freeze dried food. Lightweight 
efficient cooking and lighting systems have reduced the burden on the 
ecosystem by eliminating the need for wood as a fuel. Light weight 
cameras have brought the experience of hikers to a broad range of 
people. Yet, some technology has the potential to be harmful to the AT 
experience. Snow mobiles, transistor radios and tape players come to the 
mind of anyone who has hiked the Trail.

Where does mobile computing fit in this relationship? In general, it can 
be said that any technological change which enhances the experiences of 
hikers or increases the number of people who have access to that 
experience without infringing on other AT users can be considered 
beneficial. A blaring boom box is undesirable under any circumstances, 
while a properly used cellular phone can enhance the safety of all 
participants. There are many web sites devoted to the AT and a number of 
hikers describe their experiences and display their pictures. Like many 
things, the case for mobile computing rests in its use.

There are a number of areas in which mobile computing can enhance the AT 
experience. Digital camera technology, desktop publishing software, hand 
held computers, and digital wireless communications will allow people to 
follow hikers in real time from their urban environments. While millions 
of people use the AT as weekend hikers only a few hundred have the 
inclination and time to thru-hike the AT. Mobile computing may make it 
possible for many people who have the desire but not the six months of 
free time to experience longer hikes and even thru-hike the AT by 
allowing them to stay in contact with their responsibilities over the 
internet.

What of possible harmful effects of mobile computing on the AT 
experience? Mobile computing will only be a problem if it is used 
improperly. Like the maintenance of the Trail and trail courtesy, this 
issue can only be resolved through cooperative effort. If used 
appropriately, mobile computing will fit into the environment as just 
another tool to enhance the AT experience. It is hoped that this project 
will add to the understanding of how the proper use of mobile computing 
can benefit all who use the AT.
 

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