Too Much Technology on the Trail?

[greenpete]

This topic has probably been raised before on this Forum. Nonetheless, I think it’s good to continue the discussion. People love gadgets, especially men. I’m probably in the minority, but I feel there’s too much gadgetry on the trail these days. Unless one hikes as an athletic pursuit (for a challenge, for fitness, etc.), the whole idea of a mountain hike is about getting out and enjoying nature, and separating oneself from the artificiality and cushy conveniences of urban/suburban society. Isn’t it? If so, why are so many people dragging the digital revolution onto the trail? Don’t devices like handheld computers (iPhones) and various “apps” compromise the back-to-nature experience? Some things are essential, I realize. Manmade tents, sleeping bags, stoves, matches, etc. And cameras and non-computerized phones are convenient. But have we gone too far? Have we “over-safety’ed” and “over-convenienced” ourselves?

Would love to see how many people, if any, agree with me.

[TNhiker]

in just to say----HYOH....

[perdidochas]

This topic has probably been raised before on this Forum. Nonetheless, I think it’s good to continue the discussion. People love gadgets, especially men. I’m probably in the minority, but I feel there’s too much gadgetry on the trail these days. Unless one hikes as an athletic pursuit (for a challenge, for fitness, etc.), the whole idea of a mountain hike is about getting out and enjoying nature, and separating oneself from the artificiality and cushy conveniences of urban/suburban society. Isn’t it? If so, why are so many people dragging the digital revolution onto the trail? Don’t devices like handheld computers (iPhones) and various “apps” compromise the back-to-nature experience? Some things are essential, I realize. Manmade tents, sleeping bags, stoves, matches, etc. And cameras and non-computerized phones are convenient. But have we gone too far? Have we “over-safety’ed” and “over-convenienced” ourselves?

Would love to see how many people, if any, agree with me.

As TNHiker said, HYOH. I don't go anywhere (besides the water) without my iPhone. Doesn't interfere with my communing with nature at all. Cameras and non-computerized phones aren't as convenient or useful as smartphones. If they were, we wouldn't use smartphones.

[greenpete]

As TNHiker said, HYOH. I don't go anywhere (besides the water) without my iPhone. Doesn't interfere with my communing with nature at all. Cameras and non-computerized phones aren't as convenient or useful as smartphones. If they were, we wouldn't use smartphones.

Thanks for responding, but I'm more curious how many people agree with me (see my comment). Also, your use of the word "convenience" leads back to my question "Are we over-conveniencing..."

Also...pardon my ignorance...but I don't know what HYOH means. (I'm a vintage man, and acronyms trouble me.)

[trailmercury]

Thanks for responding, but I'm more curious how many people agree with me (see my comment). Also, your use of the word "convenience" leads back to my question "Are we over-conveniencing..."

Also...pardon my ignorance...but I don't know what HYOH means. (I'm a vintage man, and acronyms trouble me.)

It's not an acronym, it's an initialism (it doesn't make a word)

HIKE YOUR OWN HIKE

As far as technology:
It's a generational thing, you're a Boomer. A millennial doesn't really know any different. Gen X-ers and especially the Oregon Trail generation, had an analog childhood and a digital adulthood. They might be the demographic on the fence in this discussion.

[greenpete]

It's not an acronym, it's an initialism (it doesn't make a word)

HIKE YOUR OWN HIKE

As far as technology:
It's a generational thing, you're a Boomer. A millennial doesn't really know any different. Gen X-ers and especially the Oregon Trail generation, had an analog childhood and a digital adulthood. They might be the demographic on the fence in this discussion.

Hey, thanks for the acronym/initialism heads up! (I'm a writer but never knew that before.)

Right, I'm well-familiar with the HYOH cliché. It's often used as a defensive measure. But I'm not being accusatory. Just trying to get a sort-of head count. I like your demographic idea, though. My son is a millennial, and he scratches his head with me as much as I scratch my head with him.

[TexasBob]

.......As far as technology:
It's a generational thing, you're a Boomer. A millennial doesn't really know any different. Gen X-ers and especially the Oregon Trail generation, had an analog childhood and a digital adulthood. They might be the demographic on the fence in this discussion.

There is your answer. My observation is if you grew up in the smart phone era you may be more likely to see a smart phone as a constant companion - always on and within arm's reach. If you are a geezer like me then you may be more likely to see a smart phone as a convenience that can be turned off and stowed away until needed. Not a value judgement just an observation.

[Tipi Walter]

There is your answer. My observation is if you grew up in the smart phone era you may be more likely to see a smart phone as a constant companion - always on and within arm's reach. If you are a geezer like me then you may be more likely to see a smart phone as a convenience that can be turned off and stowed away until needed. Not a value judgement just an observation.

This might explain why I RARELY see as many backpackers as I used to see in the good old days before smartphone . . . captivation. I bet such phone addictions are keeping a huge group of people out of the woods. Which is both good and bad.

[Tipi Walter]

Thanks for responding, but I'm more curious how many people agree with me (see my comment). Also, your use of the word "convenience" leads back to my question "Are we over-conveniencing..."

Also...pardon my ignorance...but I don't know what HYOH means. (I'm a vintage man, and acronyms trouble me.)

I'm an old timer and still a firm believer in topo maps and paper maps---something you can spread out and ponder and which uses no batteries.

On a trip in January I wrote a long screed on smartphone use in the woods---scroll down to DROOLING ZOMBIES---if you feel up to a Rant.

http://www.trailjournals.com/journal/entry/607170

To me personally---and my opinion only---I think connecting to the Internet while out on a backpacking trip is one of the worst things a bipedal human-wannabe-neanderthal---can do. Can I not take a long break from the computer?????

Then again, I carry a very complex digital camera and a small Sangean radio Oh and my pack uses high falutin' spectra and neato doodads.

Oh and btw---here's my backpacking phone and the only cellphone I need or want---call and text boys---no camera, no Interwad---

Trip 192 (82)-XL.jpg

[Southeast]

I'm an old timer and still a firm believer in topo maps and paper maps---something you can spread out and ponder and which uses no batteries.

On a trip in January I wrote a long screed on smartphone use in the woods---scroll down to DROOLING ZOMBIES---if you feel up to a Rant.

http://www.trailjournals.com/journal/entry/607170

To me personally---and my opinion only---I think connecting to the Internet while out on a backpacking trip is one of the worst things a bipedal human-wannabe-neanderthal---can do. Can I not take a long break from the computer?????

Then again, I carry a very complex digital camera and a small Sangean radio Oh and my pack uses high falutin' spectra and neato doodads.

Oh and btw---here's my backpacking phone and the only cellphone I need or want---call and text boys---no camera, no Interwad---

Trip 192 (82)-XL.jpg

Serious question... why are you on the internet off the trail and how is that different?

[Tipi Walter]

Serious question... why are you on the internet off the trail and how is that different?

I'm on the internet right now because I'm not out on a backpacking trip and because I'm sitting indoors at home. I'm also with my significant others. The whole purpose of a backpacking trip FOR ME is to avoid computer use and the internet and home life and achieve some amount of solitude in communion with nature without conflicting distractions. I view backpacking in what's left of wilderness and the forest as returning to our Neanderthal Roots and our home---you know, where we lived as humans for the last 200,000 years---what's left of pristine Nature.

There's has to be a balance---home life vs outdoor life. Or if you're really lucky---full time outdoor life.

[Feral Bill]

Serious question... why are you on the internet off the trail and how is that different?

Seriously, you can't see the difference? DON'T HYOH, please.

[perdidochas]

Thanks for responding, but I'm more curious how many people agree with me (see my comment). Also, your use of the word "convenience" leads back to my question "Are we over-conveniencing..."

Also...pardon my ignorance...but I don't know what HYOH means. (I'm a vintage man, and acronyms trouble me.)

Local saying, Hike your own hike. It means you can like or dislike something, but frankly, I don't care, as I'm going to do as I like to do.

[Dogwood]

Local saying, Hike your own hike. It means you can like or dislike something, but frankly, I don't care, as I'm going to do as I like to do.

This equals "I'm only responsible to myself."


I'm going to do as I like to do too! Keg party at Perdidocha's living room tonight. We'll all be tenting on your property and taking dirty baths in your swimming pool. Make sure to have your credit card ready to pay for the alcohol and my new DCF shelter. I'll take one of those new BA $1000 Tiger Walls! Order those 20 pizzas ahead of time. 5 veggie specials with roasted eggplant, organic goat Gouda and artichokes. Dont skimp on the artichokes! Pay for extra ya cheapskate. We'll be taking your credit card for that too. And, make sure they're hot when we all arrive and the Heiny kegs and Grey Goose are well chilled.

[perdidochas]

This equals "I'm only responsible to myself."


I'm going to do as I like to do too! Keg party at Perdidocha's living room tonight. We'll all be tenting on your property and taking dirty baths in your swimming pool. Make sure to have your credit card ready to pay for the alcohol and my new DCF shelter. I'll take one of those new BA $1000 Tiger Walls! Order those 20 pizzas ahead of time. 5 veggie specials with roasted eggplant, organic goat Gouda and artichokes. Dont skimp on the artichokes! Pay for extra ya cheapskate. We'll be taking your credit card for that too. And, make sure they're hot when we all arrive and the Heiny kegs and Grey Goose are well chilled.

Love the way you took my simple statement to the absurd level. Just shows you don't really like the idea of people hiking their own hike. If we aren't like you, I guess we are automatically wrong. You are very dogmatic.

[CalebJ]

If you don't want to use it, leave it at home. Otherwise, what other people choose to/not to use is their choice to make.

[greenpete]

If you don't want to use it, leave it at home. Otherwise, what other people choose to/not to use is their choice to make.

Hi CalebJ. I'm not denying it's "their choice to make." Just trying to see how many people agree with me about too much technology.

[cmoulder]

If you don't want to use it, leave it at home. Otherwise, what other people choose to/not to use is their choice to make.

Likewise, I don't give a royal flying purple rat's a$$ if people are glued to their phones or carrying 85lb packs. If they fall off a cliff while taking a selfie, so be it.

[bighammer]

Everyone has a different level of "intimacy" with their phone. I will often forget mine, forget to charge it, forget to un-silence it, etc. I sometimes forget that I can take a photo or look something up; I just see it as a phone. Then there are others that have it out almost all the time. Never enough battery life or data, it's become an umbilical cord to their existence. Those people generally don't bother me except for the occasional inappropriate interruption or distraction. I feel for them that they can't enjoy a moment without their screen as a viewfinder or window into something else. Try to view them with sympathy rather than contempt. (and HYOH)

[Puddlefish]

This is one of those strangely authoritarian topics. Other authoritarians will also agree with you, as they're typing on their PCs/phones to do so, instead of being out in nature chatting with other humans and enjoying nature as they so fondly believe everyone must do, because they know what's best for you.

These devices expand the outdoor experience, they allow people to share their experiences in an efficient way with those who don't have the time or ability to get out on the trail. Right now, I'm typing and interacting with other hikers/want to be hikers as I wait for the temperature to come up a few degrees before I go for my daily hike.

Millions of people share the trail currently. It's not feasible for any of us to carry hatchets and make a fresh bed of fir branches each night as a mattress, it's not feasible for us to fish, and bow hunt our meals. That's the kind of stuff that happens in 1903s adventure fantasy books, and even then they're referring to their previous century.

That kind of wilderness adventure should really be practiced on your own land, and not on public shared land. I personally find drunk/stoned people at campfires to be far more annoying, but that's just me, and I don't propose that people forego that activity just to make me happy.

Edit: Grammar/vocab