I’ve got better things to do than worry about if someone is using a smart phone on the trail.
I’ve got better things to do than worry about if someone is using a smart phone on the trail.
That's pretty outrageous. There should be a law enforcement solution to such rudeness. it's too bad that on land that was privately gifted some donors didn't write into the conditions that there be no distracting electronic devices used on the land they gave. They could have new rules or have devices to white out reception like a lot of schools do with interference devices. Overuse and addiction to devices is a major mental health issue.
Other peoples tech doesn't bother me on the trail. What bothers me is when some jackwagon has his BT speaker blasting for the whole world to hear is hippity hop music. I don't wanna hear it and neither does anyone else. Get ear buds.
Trail Miles: 4,980.5
AT Map 1: Complete 2013-2021
Sheltowee Trace: Complete 2020-2023
Pinhoti Trail: Complete 2023-2024
Foothills Trail: 47.9
AT Map 2: 279.4
BMT: 52.7
CDT: 85.4
Come on, Dogwood - do you really think he meant 'anything one wants' as opposed to things that have no real bearing on others?
In the age of connectivity many — including me — often fail to live up to the HYOH standard.
Rather, we HOEH (hike our employer’s hikes).
This sucks, of course.
Sucks even more for some of our hiking partners who may not notice it when we pull out our phones to check email or Tesla stock when walking behind them (I know I am not the only one to do this) but who are no less impacted for not being with our true “outdoor selves” during such special times together.
There is another way — impossible to cure others, hard enough to cure oneself.
Is there a 12 step program?
Two yrs ago on a PCT LASH 3 out of every 10 PCT thru hikers while on trail were walking while their faces were buried in Fartphones. Began asking what they were engaged. When I could get an answer, 70% of the time it was digital social media, a lot taking selfies, ...not navigation, checking weather reports, trail logistics, getting ride to resupply, or sending that all important eMail to family about their location, they weren't eaten by a bear or bitten by a snake, abducted, or what was in their GORP or MH dinner they were having tonight. They were not working from trail.
At Crater Lake NP 22 PCT thrus were doing their resupply with all but 3 on their FartPhones. Some were bumping rudely into each other including other CL NP visitors. Some had badly cut knees and leg road rashes. I asked, "what happened?" Half the time it was because they fell while walking on their FartPhones. Two young vacuous 20 yrs old female thrus with knee abrasions laughed recounting how they had bumped into each both taking spills while walking with faces planted in their phones. One had gashed her elbow too and damaged her ZP pack and was awaiting replacement parts to be mailed. A mid 20 something yr old had facial abrasions including a nasty gash on the tip of his nose. He too had fallen while walking while on his Fart Phone.
Now all three states the PCT visits have legalized. Two yrs ago, before Cali legalized, 6-7 out of every 10 PCT thrus were carrying and imbibing regularly. Where might this be leading? Texting while intoxicated while backpacking?
I'm a numbers and sociology guy. I like to note trends.
Does fart ph use truly have no bearing on others? Did you read what others and myself experienced on Mt Marcy? Read about what was witnessed at Crater Lake NP among PCT thrus and other CL NP visitors. Usage can clearly negatively impact others.
HYOH is often used in defense of narcissistic personal behavior/self entitlement and excessive self love - narcissism - even if it negatively impacts others. If it makes you happy, and only you happy, do it. We certainly can have personal happiness while also being conscientious of other's happiness? We do NOT live and backpack as islands!
Hmm, yeah, not paying attention to the activity at hand can lead to injury. Even without partaking of head wax or being impaired by any electronic device, the worst falls I've ever had skiing were at the bottom of the hill while distracted by the scenery. Spandex can be dangerous too.
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.
The Five Basic Principles of Going Lighter ~ Cam "Swami" Honan of OZ
Unless I've missed something, nobody -in this thread- is defending the behavior that you describe. When you're making choices that actively interfere with others it becomes a completely different conversation. My point regarding HYOH is simply to not let others individual elections (using a phone as a camera/navigational resource, etc) affect your enjoyment when they're not actively jarring your experience. Being rude, listening to music aloud, etc are things that could, of course, actively effect you and I wouldn't tolerate them well either.