Well if I did'nt have this 1998 laptop loaded with windos98 I'd a..... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> probably use spell checker <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
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PEPPER SPRAY AIN'T BRAINS IN A CAN!
Registered: 04/07/04
Posts: 221
Loc: Arkansan displaced in the PNW
Quote:
I sometimes wish I posted more so that people feel that they "know" me through my posts. I think that's pretty cool.
Well Jon, I'm fairly certain that after this thread has long faded, you will be known as the perennial lurker-guy <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
*clears throat* Here Ye! Here Ye! I here by dub thee, Boston Mountain Lurker!
Okay, I lurk in a lot of places. The question is "Why?"
I tend to find these forums in a search for information rather than a search for like-minded individuals. I still see the 'net as informative, not social.
Usually, I'm too late to be the first to make a point or offer constructive input and repetition is just redundant.
My attempts at humor are either too corny or subject to misinterpretation - very dry sense of humor, lack of decent sarcasm smilies. Although, the results sometimes appeal to my instigator side.
Specific to this forum, my experience is 20 - 25 years old, and only recently dusted off. While I can offer newbies the basics, nalgene bottles and packs with "hydration" facilities put me at a disadvantage. You should see my old internal frame pack that unzips like a suitcase to reveal my Coleman 502! Don't know that stove? Search eBay for "vintage camp gear". Much of my knowledge is similarly dated.
In that lengthy gap between youthful adventures and midlife desire to pass it on to my children, my knowlege was influenced by the military style of camping. If you want to learn about stand-to and canvas shelter halfs let me know. In the meantime, I'll come to you for advice on the safest way to carry my extra Coleman fuel so my son can have his hot cocoa and I my coffee in the morning.
My goals are somewhat different than the focus of the site. With a 6 year old in tow (more often in the lead) lightweight/longterm isn't such a concern. I did a 5 miler over two days with a 50lb pack (did you groan?) and was perfectly happy. The highlight was teaching The Boy to read a map and orient it with his compass. You're thinking "Map? Compass? Doesn't he know about GPS?". Admit it.
I subscribe to the idea that you should not say anything if you can't say something [constructive] nice and therefore, here anyway, I tend to lurk. I always thought of it as "ghosting" myself - "lurk" sounds too much like something out of The Ghost and Mr. Chicken!
Does this make me the most verbose poster in a thread that by definition shouldn't even exist? Have I lost my lurker status? Will I suffer the rage of the Banhammer? Should each of these questions be another thread in a different forum?
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I have a map of the world. It's actual size. Last summer, I folded it. - Steven Wright
Call me a Luddite, but I think map-and-compass is still a pretty good skill. After all, batteries can die, units can get dropped and smashed, water may not be kind to them (of course, it's not real kind to maps) - but unless the magnetic field suddenly and dramatically shifts, the compass should keep on working.
Registered: 02/22/06
Posts: 117
Loc: Central Arkansas
Your reasons for lurking are very similar to mine, in particular the part about being too late to offer anything original. Many times, by the time I read a thread, all I can add to the existing responses is a simple "I agree" or "Yup." And I struggle with pulling off online humor as well.
Also, I too am surprised by the response to a thread that, by definition, should have been the shortest in the forum. I'm glad you posted, though. I enjoyed the read.
I'm finding it difficult to post on this thread for exactly the same reason I don't generally post on the other threads. ...My lack of anything truly new or useful to add to the conversation.
Also, by the time I get around to reading and thinking about posting, the thread has usually descended into political or personal attacks. Seems like most threads are good for the first 10 or so replies, then the flame wars begin.
Lastly, I seem to be a "thread killer". There can be a lively debate about some subject and so then I will eagerly reply ...and suddenly you can hear the sound of crickets chirping.
Let's see if that holds true with this thread. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />
I think you'll find that most people here don't rely on a GPS. They may use one, or carry one, but not rely on it. The fact that we're on a forum about backpacking means we're passionate enough about the hobby to educate ourselves, and most educated backpackers are aware of the risks of relying on battery powered technology.
Besides, my GPS is 6 ounces, maps are closer to 1. It's a no-brainer <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Definitely not. I don't own a GPS. As long as I have eyes and a map, I can get pretty much anywhere I want to go. The only reason I could forsee purchasing one would be for my SAR work, and quite frankly, as I'm moving away from ground pounding, the most I'll get from a GPS is coordinates to send my search teams to.
Map, compass, tally step and a fair sense of speed... IMHO, using a GPS without having these skills as a back-up is a really good way to get yourself in the news. Good for you for being "old fashioned!" I think you'll find that most people here agree that map and compass skills are essential, even if they do own a GPS.
MNS
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YMMV. Viewer discretion is advised.
I'm with MNS, I don't own a GPS. I get a USGS map, and maybe a BLM map, depending on where I hike, and just use that with a compass. That is the way I was taught and feel comfortable with. Besides, it adds challenge (not much, but a little) and fulfills me. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
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I've taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money.
Well that's pretty cool. Score one for Old School!
After my most recent trip I'm considering a basic GPS so I can overlay waypoints on maps to improve the accuracy of the displayed trail. My last map was good enough for the trip but my inner engineer was annoyed that there were switchbacks and other trivial features not accurately reflected. I'm also the type who is likely to enjoy geotagging photos for Google Earth, just to annoy my indoorsy-type friends.
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I have a map of the world. It's actual size. Last summer, I folded it. - Steven Wright
For me, playing with an electronic thingie would be more challenging. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />
Seems to me that something like a GPS would tend to make people LESS aware of their surroundings, which goes against my cardinal rule of having situational awareness at all times.
MNS
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YMMV. Viewer discretion is advised.
I'm another non gps owner. I've lived in and hiked,hunted, and fished in the local mountains as well as far away mountains all of my life. I carry a small compass but rarely use it. The mountain men and Native Americans traveled everywhere without even a compass. I have amazed my wife as well as myself by traveling cross country and finding my way out. I think like MNS says, being aware of your surroundings and how far and which way you go is so important and not something to leave to a gadget. Not condeming anyone for having or using one, just haven't seen the need. Maybe when I get alittle older and lose all my short term memory <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.
b) to give non-lurkers a reason to exist. We lurkers seem to constitute the larger body at present in these forums, therefore utilizing the non-lurkers posts moreso than there own kind.
To reconfigure an earlier post to better suit my view of lurking... "I lurk, therefore you are."
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