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#201909 - 10/11/18 02:45 PM Re: Intrusive Technology? [Re: Bill Kennedy]
JustWalking Offline
member

Registered: 01/12/16
Posts: 293
Loc: PNW
I am, perhaps, a bit different than most on here when it comes to reasons for backpacking. I don't backpack for the wilderness experience per se, I backpack to share time with friends while expending energy, generally in a place I haven't been before. I enjoy being in the mountains, camping next to some alpine lake, seeing various wildlife, etc., but that's simply a benefit to spending time with friends while expending energy in the woods. I've done some nice bike tours around the world (just a friend or two, no group trips/organized trips), all on roads through towns and such, and enjoyed them just as much as backpacking for the same reasons.

When backpacking, I take an inReach because my brother likes to 'follow along' when I'm on a trip, and we usually send a text or two at night. I take my phone as a conduit to the inReach and as my GPS. I take a camera so I can share the gorgeous sights (and sometimes wonderful sounds) with friends and family when I return.

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#201914 - 10/11/18 03:37 PM Re: Intrusive Technology? [Re: JustWalking]
wandering_daisy Offline
member

Registered: 01/11/06
Posts: 2865
Loc: California
Different trips have different purposes. Any technology I take has to mesh with the goal of that particular trip, and certainly not distract me from my purpose. If sharing the experience is really a goal, then sharing-enhancing technology is good.

But I think we all know that there is a fine line between using our technology to enhance vs. getting caught up to the point where we are missing the experience.

Fishing is quite addictive for me and can take over, so I sometimes do not take fishing gear so I can focus on other things, like photography. Sometimes a watch stresses me out; other times NOT having a watch stresses me! Sometimes I do not take a camera, because it too can get addictive. I will admit, that spending a day just looking at a lake is not something I can do given my personality. I personally choose NOT to use a GPS because I REALLY like to navigate from maps alone and find my own route. My husband is one of those who simply has zero aptitude for maps, so the GPS actually ALLOWS him to get into and enjoy the wilderness. For me a GPS takes away one aspect of backpacking that I really enjoy.

I think we can all agree that if OUR technology spills over into someone else's wilderness experience (like loud music on the trail or a tent lit-up like Las Vegas at night), then it IS intrusive. Add to that our technology that detrimentally impacts wildlife. And yes, I see the irony- I kill and eat fish!

Lucky are those who think they can remember their experiences as they age, or think that much later in life they will actually be able to do the same trip. I have watched my family members age into their 90's, and pictures are very useful in prompting memories.

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