tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post313619107457960589..comments2024-01-29T21:23:15.795-08:00Comments on dirtmonger: State of Wilderness and the Impact of Thru-hikingdirtmongerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12764867892426257306noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-2378332163180750022015-07-09T10:00:44.983-07:002015-07-09T10:00:44.983-07:00I am so glad that there is someone else out there ...I am so glad that there is someone else out there that feels the same way I do about long distance hiking. After my wife and I finished the "Big 3" we started creating long hikes of our own by connecting together wildernesses. Sometimes with great success and sometimes not so successfully but we did it nonetheless and we call it "crapshooting". There are so many avenues of travel and so many vast unexplored terrains it boggles me how year after year so many hikers continue to march their way down the same pathways. These phone apps now are hurting the willingness of hikers to stray from the paths and do alternates and side trips. Grab a map and make your way across it! We need more Hayduke Trails and Vagabond loops etc… I know that there is a certain amount of skill and confidence required to do these things but we live the age of information and we need to translate these crapshoot routes to others. Save the wilderness (and perhaps create more) by using them. I love it! Some folks look down upon those that stray from the "white blazes". We need to encourage this activity. The ATC and PCTA should be mapping blue blazes out and getting people on them. We need more crapshooting. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-91260005709569224242015-05-15T06:14:46.650-07:002015-05-15T06:14:46.650-07:00Thanks for all the comments everybodyThanks for all the comments everybodydirtmongerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12764867892426257306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-18221555585852504342015-04-26T10:29:04.242-07:002015-04-26T10:29:04.242-07:00Your post is wise and sincere. Though we share man...Your post is wise and sincere. Though we share many of the same sentiments, you are so articulate when sharing your thoughts it fascinates me. This post reiterates the reasons why I started hiking and adopted the lightweight philosophy. Thanks for guiding the way!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12833583141408667876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-25073576919115360572015-04-08T01:22:35.993-07:002015-04-08T01:22:35.993-07:00It would be nice to know that certain public lands...It would be nice to know that certain public lands will remain indefinitely Wild. Instead, holding wilderness from resource development will always be a constant battle. Your essay however, doesn't resonate with me. Respecting a trail and fighting to keep wilderness Wild are two very different things. I can appreciate a popular trail because 10 of us can all walk on the same path rather than breaking 9 more to achieve similar views. As you mention, I am just as fascinated knowing I am in a place where those 9 others will never visit! To make my point: just because I have not been there does not make the place any less magical and deserving of my efforts to protect and conserve. I do not mean to sound argumentative but there is an interesting dichotomy in your article. I am probably just as passionate about conservation management as you. Cheers!dmahny88https://www.blogger.com/profile/06203427493776641130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-56201522149632219752015-04-02T14:43:03.335-07:002015-04-02T14:43:03.335-07:00Well-written and thought-provoking. Over in Arizon...Well-written and thought-provoking. Over in Arizona the state legislature is currently passing symbolic legislation demanding that federal lands be turned over to the state in the name of good governance and tidy return-on-investment. In reality one of the biggest threats to our freedom - that word they like to bandy about so casually these days - is the vocal minority who would reduce wild places to an economic, utilitarian calculus based on some phony emotional logic of their subconscious invention. It's very easy for bad actors to take center stage when the audience isn't paying attention, is ignorant of the storyline, or lacks any point of reference. In essence, 90% of so-called governance is the equivalent of a dubious hidden rider included at the 11th hour on page 1230 of a must-pass spending bill. We didn't vote for that, but that's what we got anyway. What do we stand to lose? In the case of man vs wild, that's our job to tally and report far and wide. What else can we do but, first and foremost, attempt to be a voice in defense of the voiceless?blisterfreenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-37653109541451329562015-03-21T12:02:53.067-07:002015-03-21T12:02:53.067-07:00You can always ask for the Department of Defense t...You can always ask for the Department of Defense to loosen up access as well. UXO makes those wilderness areas truly a WILD experience.......ranger1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10386739508291194316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-86721819806313623482015-03-20T12:22:13.221-07:002015-03-20T12:22:13.221-07:00Good discussion right here! I would love to hear m...Good discussion right here! I would love to hear more articles from serious hikers and even the parks dealing with the lack of communication between hiking groups (or classes as you rightly called them). <br /><br />As a 'local hiker' in a the White Mountains of NH I have to say that there is nothing like being given a 'holier-than-thou' attitude by an AT thru hiker on a section of trail you've walked a dozen times :-) Even my two kids pick up on it at times. We have an expression "don't feed the wild beasts, or thru-hikers". <br /><br />Of course, we have met our fair share of wonderful thru-hikers also...I just have seen an increase in the lack of trail etiquette among them as their popularity has increased. <br /><br />Great discussion and food for thought.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-11622431348094527632015-03-20T08:36:11.575-07:002015-03-20T08:36:11.575-07:00Your words hit home. I won't bash one group ov...Your words hit home. I won't bash one group over another as I think every user group has valid reasons and passions for why they are out there. However, I have noticed a trend in the long distance hiking community in which people are simply following the trend of what is popular or 'cool'. This can be an opportunity for stewards of the trail in leading the way in wilderness ethics. The trail angels, the towns, the caches, etc. A trail can still be hiked without those conveniences. We are out there because of the spirit of the wild and not to treat it like a hang-out place like a mall. Thank you for the good words!dirtmongerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12764867892426257306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-71120769366906995712015-03-20T08:32:03.965-07:002015-03-20T08:32:03.965-07:00I agree with you words, Jeff. I know there are oth...I agree with you words, Jeff. I know there are others who love the trail as much as thru-hikers. No denying that. I wrote from a perspective of a thru-hiker because I am a thru-hiker who spends 4-5 months out on trail seeing different lands and different managing domains within those realms. I think day hikers can have a bigger impact because there are more of them. In a perfect world, there should be mass communication between the hiking classes, without any elitism of course, which seems to come out. I think if we all see that 'Wilderness' is what we are all fighting for and our overall common theme then we could come together and set that 'proper example' of which you speak. Thank you for your sentiments.dirtmongerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12764867892426257306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-81692047931446622412015-03-20T08:25:07.281-07:002015-03-20T08:25:07.281-07:00Though I realize I wrote this piece with the vast ...Though I realize I wrote this piece with the vast spaces of the West in mind, I am glad that others across the country are aware of the issue I tried to present. I am also pleased to see wilderness fighters elsewhere. But we need more. The TTS was a blast to do! Thanks for the comments.dirtmongerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12764867892426257306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-60745060613375585692015-03-20T08:22:50.978-07:002015-03-20T08:22:50.978-07:00Industry using up our resources because of our own...Industry using up our resources because of our own lack of neglect in wilderness areas may be a sign of things to come. We are in a different age with a different king of users. Maybe new teaching methods are in order, etc. Thanks for the comments. Let's not lose what we love.dirtmongerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12764867892426257306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-9939267141150531822015-03-20T08:20:43.658-07:002015-03-20T08:20:43.658-07:00Thanks Stephan. Let's hope our paths cross thi...Thanks Stephan. Let's hope our paths cross this summer!dirtmongerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12764867892426257306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-68303219445284231682015-03-20T08:14:36.750-07:002015-03-20T08:14:36.750-07:00I agree with Jeff. My concern when I read some th...I agree with Jeff. My concern when I read some thru hikers accounts of their trips is that it is all about the trail angels, the towns, the people, what about the beauty of what you are hiking through! The lakes, rivers, and mountains etc. that should be why one is out there!Kristinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03781249420866894512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-3290956864699091242015-03-20T07:25:08.956-07:002015-03-20T07:25:08.956-07:00This is an interesting and provocative write up th...This is an interesting and provocative write up that can apply to the Appalachians as well as the Rockies - I often think about how hikers in my home state of Virginia flock to a handful of trails that then suffer from overuse while other trails (sometimes less than a mile away) become overgrown because few people want to hike them. <br />I am not sure, however, why you are limiting your audience to thru-hikers. I believe there are those of us who can love the trails just as much as thru-hikers but have never had a chunk of time to complete such a journey. In fact, I think many day hikers in my area appreciate the public lands more than the A.T. thru-hikers that journey near my house. We can all show the way by giving back and volunteering - setting the proper example so others will follow our lead.Jeff Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06623587270951440914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-41178772260040656812015-03-20T06:58:27.414-07:002015-03-20T06:58:27.414-07:00Thanks Dirtmonger.
As we speak, BLM and FS lands a...Thanks Dirtmonger.<br />As we speak, BLM and FS lands are threatened by growing oil and gas development, OHV, and other development. I hope everyone becomes more active in wilderness protection and preservation of those remaining public lands.<br />SpeedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-23035201976258903002015-03-19T13:27:16.649-07:002015-03-19T13:27:16.649-07:00Nice one, Ryan. A lot of very good ideas and plent...Nice one, Ryan. A lot of very good ideas and plenty for folks to think about. Enjoy your hike!Stephannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-79352743444257287302015-03-18T13:23:17.463-07:002015-03-18T13:23:17.463-07:00Wilderness and the lack of use isn't relegated...Wilderness and the lack of use isn't relegated to the west...it's pretty rampant in the south and southeast. I lived in Florida for 8 years where my husband and I backpacked/hiked/explored on and off trail to remote areas that most people never went. Sure, a lot of it was swamp, but the swamp is friggin' cool. The sad part is that the vast majority of tourists and those who live in Florida never see these ares and have no idea they exist only 30 minutes to an hour away. <br /><br />After our AT thru hike in 2010 we went back to FL and thru-hiked the FT where maybe 10-20 people thru-hike a year---the number is slowly growing. Often we were alone on the trail, save maybe a hunter or fisherman but rarely did we see another hiker unless were in a more popular area like Ocala NF. It's a very, very quiet trail and the Florida Trail Association and its smaller chapter are struggling with funding and maintenance. Areas have been closed and re-routed because bog boards and bridges have become dilapidated and no one can fix them/there's no funding to fix them. <br /><br />Here in Texas there are plenty of wild places in east Texas that don't get visited. Short dayhike length trails that we've been on that if you got past a half a mile in they become overgrown and difficult to follow. We trudge along, but it is evident no one goes out there. Hunters, maybe....maybe. The general public? No way. I'm always lamenting the crappy private to public land ratio here in Texas but then again we have a public that doesn't even use the lands they even have. <br /><br />Thankfully at least it seems that my local 100-mile trail (Lone Star Trail) get some use, but other areas in the state aren't nearly as lucky.<br /><br />I've been trying to read your VL write-up after hearing about it on the Trail Show.<br />Mistihttp://www.oceanicwilderness.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-10469996887349594572015-03-17T03:14:25.472-07:002015-03-17T03:14:25.472-07:00Thanks Bloodbank!Thanks Bloodbank!dirtmongerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12764867892426257306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-46702324052676510382015-03-17T03:14:07.306-07:002015-03-17T03:14:07.306-07:00I agree Swami. Action is key. We can't just sa...I agree Swami. Action is key. We can't just say we are going to do something and not do it. Most importantly, we cannot just sit back and let wilderness dwindle away, especially if our actions are non-existent. Good words, Swami! And thanks!dirtmongerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12764867892426257306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-69203793692540957582015-03-17T03:10:16.225-07:002015-03-17T03:10:16.225-07:00thanks Harriet!thanks Harriet!dirtmongerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12764867892426257306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-39585472915149961062015-03-17T03:09:56.202-07:002015-03-17T03:09:56.202-07:00thanks much Mags!thanks much Mags!dirtmongerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12764867892426257306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-90323063726911639962015-03-16T18:03:13.975-07:002015-03-16T18:03:13.975-07:00Beautifully and eloquently written! I whole heart...Beautifully and eloquently written! I whole heartedly agree with your stance and believe it my/our duty to protect the land. Wonderful worthwhile words! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-63484863985488197162015-03-16T16:45:40.790-07:002015-03-16T16:45:40.790-07:00Well written post, DM. There are an abundance of i...Well written post, DM. There are an abundance of incredible wilderness areas around the world. If you spend enough time exploring these remote corners, you can't help but feel a "duty of care" with Mother Nature. However, as you allude to in your article, the guts of the issue is action. Sentiments must be translated into deeds in order to make a difference for the positive. There are so many ways to give back. Personally speaking, I'll never be able to give as much as I've received from the natural world over the past few decades............but that doesn't mean I won't give it a blood good try!Cam "Swami" Honanhttp://www.thehikinglife.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-7601075750934889432015-03-16T09:28:08.189-07:002015-03-16T09:28:08.189-07:00Excellent and thoughtful essay. Thanks for sharing...Excellent and thoughtful essay. Thanks for sharing.Paul Magshttp://www.pmags.comnoreply@blogger.com