People giving up the outdoors

“Not sure what I think about this. On one hand, it's more for me and less people to contend with on the trail. On the other hand, I want everyone to appreciate the outdoors because that means more open space and environmental protections.

What say you?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080205/ap_on_sc/communing_without_nature;_ylt=AiFn4tgOrSePKiBNyLuBPdus0NUE”

“No more for me. Last time I went out every picture I took had a Ron Paul signs being held out from behind every tree.

Atleast it wasn't Katie Couriks legs.
last edited: 2/06/08 10:19:26 AM”

“Everyone appreciates the outdoors as long as they can drive thier car within 100 yards of what they want to see. Look at Old Faithful hell there is a small town built up around something you should have to walk several days to reach.”

“I agree with you minish.

My dad and I were in Yosemite a few years ago and I think we were both shocked at the amount of people there. I was dissapointed because my view was constantly blocked by a passing car. Its still beautiful there but it could do without all the people”

“It's a toughie - it's a pain when you can barely move for people in the more popular parks - but the fact that they are used secures their future.

I went up to Acadia at the weekend and it was mostly empty, but it's fairly easy to see how crazy that place will become in the summer and in leaf season.”

“fatness in America is a phase

Things will return to "normal".”

“Remove the roads and a large amount of people will not be there. Alot of people who visit the national parks never leave the roads. It's really sad because roads lead right up to some of the best places on earth. It's because of this you get people who don't give a damn about our parks tossing soda cans into geothermal attractions.”

“If you want to restrict all things natural to those willing and able to hump a pack for several days/miles you might as well close all the parks and sell them off right now. The fact is the public sure as hell isn't going to stand for being the sugar daddy for a few hard core outdoorsy people. And make no mistake, we are just a few. Be glad all those people are there as they are paying to keep the rest of the spaces they can't reach open to us.”

“Not with 'TT' buttons to push.”

“fatness in America is a phase

Things will return to "normal".”
Sarge
11:10:09 AM
2/06/08

Hey Sarge fatness is only a symptom of the problem. It's the love of life that's missing for alot of people. Find God find yourself the rest of the problems will fix themselves.”

““If you want to restrict all things natural to those willing and able to hump a pack for several days/miles you might as well close all the parks and sell them off right now. The fact is the public sure as hell isn't going to stand for being the sugar daddy for a few hard core outdoorsy people. And make no mistake, we are just a few. Be glad all those people are there as they are paying to keep the rest of the spaces they can't reach open to us.”
humanpackmule
11:15:23 AM
2/06/08

Hell I know your right just give me a second to dream !!!!”

“I agree Minish - fatness is the symptom - and eventually it will come full circle to some extent.

When the collective society realizes what it's missing, their behaviors will change as a result.”

“I really think a lot of people are afraid. What with terror on your back porch and the libbies creeping in your garage , I don't blame people for locking themselves in the refrigerator. Doesn't the TV get cold in the frige?”

“ It's because of this you get people who don't give a damn about our parks tossing soda cans into geothermal attractions. - minish

More elitism - getting to be a pattern lately.”

“If you want to restrict all things natural to those willing and able to hump a pack for several days/miles you might as well close all the parks and sell them off right now. The fact is the public sure as hell isn't going to stand for being the sugar daddy for a few hard core outdoorsy people. And make no mistake, we are just a few. Be glad all those people are there as they are paying to keep the rest of the spaces they can't reach open to us.”
humanpackmule
1:15:23 PM
2/06/08

Silly people don't want to believe this, so they won't.”

“I don't like crowds either but the fact is we have to give up some to get some. If we have to give up Old Faithful to the crowds to get the rest of the Yellowstone backcountry, I'll take it.”

““I don't like crowds either but the fact is we have to give up some to get some. If we have to give up Old Faithful to the crowds to get the rest of the Yellowstone backcountry, I'll take it.”
humanpackmule
11:25:51 AM
2/06/08

As long as we stop giving up. I do understand what your saying it's all about give and take.”

“More elitism - getting to be a pattern lately.”
Mutt
11:25:08 AM
2/06/08

How is having a desire not to see soda cans floating in our geothermal attractions elitism ?”

““I agree Minish - fatness is the symptom - and eventually it will come full circle to some extent.

When the collective society realizes what it's missing, their behaviors will change as a result.”
Sarge
11:21:30 AM
2/06/08

Faith !!!! I like that.”

“You're missing the point.”

“No, it's for the liposuction hoses in the new biodiesel cars and with enough cookies and freinds you can have perpetual motion.Beep beep”

“What's the point Mutt?”

“HPM nailed it. I don't mind crowds in the parking lot and for the first mile or so of trail - after that it gets pretty quiet.”

“Roughly 10 million people a year come to the Smokies...about a million of those never even make it to the park...of that bunch, 95% never make it more than 100 feet from the road...of that limited pool, less than half make it more than a mile from the road.

People talk about how crowded GSMNP is. I haven't had any problems with crowds in the back country. But, given the statistics, the few roads in the park are bumper to bumper most of the year.”

“A couple years ago I took the kids to graveyard fields. The parking lot on the Blue Ridge Parkway is usually jammed full with cars also on the shoulder of the road. Most people don't go further than the paved trail that leads a few 100 yards down to the river/falls. Then they stretch up and down the creek. 1/4 mile further on in the slim trees we made camp and never once saw anyone in that area.”

“What's the point Mutt?

That people seem to want to limit access to the few right "kind" of people.”

“I am in favor of everbody having a nice time outdoors, when ever they can. Freedom of choice, is what is needed.
last edited: 2/06/08 12:07:20 PM”

“Re fat keeping people from the outdoors or in their cars:

I am cool with this. A study just came out that said, contrary to popular belief, financially, fat people are better. They tend to kick off earlier due to health problems. The REAL healthcare costs come trying to keep people alive when they are old.

Re drive up attractions:

I am in agreement with HPM. These people need to recoginize the worth that their taxes are going towards. Give them an opportunity to enjoy it, not to mention those disabled folks who can't necessarily walk into the woods.

It's the idea that TV is replacing outdoor experiences that frightens me.
last edited: 2/06/08 12:06:35 PM”

“That people seem to want to limit access to the few right "kind" of people.”
Mutt
11:58:46 AM
2/06/08

A warm welcome to all just bring your walking shoes.”

“A warm welcome to all just bring your walking shoes. - Minish

Like I said...”

“Mutt just how far are you willing to go with our wilderness lands. Let's say four wheel drive mud bogging maybe?”

“why shouldn't their be paths for 4 wheel drive exploration? There are paths for backpackers, horses, snow mobiles, and lord knows what else. They are all taxpayers”

“WILDERNESS!!!!! It needs to stay that way.”

“A warm welcome to all just bring your walking shoes. - Minish


Yea! Those damn disabled people need to stay at home. / sarc”

“How many places are left where it's just you and the woods. Let's keep what we have.”

““A warm welcome to all just bring your walking shoes. - Minish


Yea! Those damn disabled people need to stay at home. / sarc”
StoveStomper
12:20:41 PM
2/06/08

Sorry for your problems. You have Six Flags and Disney.”

“It's the idea that TV is replacing outdoor experiences that frightens me.

I don't know that is true. What was reported in the article didn't show me that the report proved that. All I saw were two different trends that may or may not be related. Got a link to the full report? (If it was there I missed it)

I work in tech and fool around with games quite a bit. My backpacking has also taken a big dive in the last two years but it has nothing to do with TV and gaming and everything to do with a big changes in my life; Career move, physical move, child starting school ect.

The cost of gas has shot up in the last two years too but I don't see that listed as a cause but I would find fuel costs a more likely reason than World of Warcraft and America Idol (idle).

Dunno, want more data.”

“Sorry for your problems. You have Six Flags and Disney.”
minish223
2:22:21 PM
2/06/08


Mutt, you think he'll ever get it?”

“Sorry for your problems. You have Six Flags and Disney.”
minish223
2:22:21 PM
2/06/08


Mutt, you think he'll ever get it?”
StoveStomper
12:24:03 PM
2/06/08

NO !!! I with you guys on most stuff. I just love my wild lands. I would just like to keep what few places we have.”

“I think he's probably too "silly". ;-)”

“We had areas in the Ozarks that were open to ATV and 4WD use. That was not good enough. SOME of the operators cut every corner, crossed every berm, cut doughnuts in feed plots, knocked over trees, and just generally tore the hell out of the forest. These people have ruined that aspect of the forest use for all. I do think that there needs to be limits and restraints.”

“there should be limits, but they should also have their section of America to play in. Not every acre of America should be 4 wheel accessable, but some should”

“Interesting position for someone whose idea of 'backpacking' is shown by your pictures.

I call TROLL.

http://www.thebackpacker.com/pictures/pic/qyq6rhxgpzxs.php
http://www.thebackpacker.com/pictures/pic/eqiiw9ns7ixf4.php
http://www.thebackpacker.com/pictures/pic/h4njrn7we101s0.php
http://www.thebackpacker.com/pictures/pic/zlap08p0.php
http://www.thebackpacker.com/pictures/pic/ljzx1d9yh6f.php
http://www.thebackpacker.com/pictures/pic/fdu3zxzg2n3a.php”

“l
o
o
o
o
ooooow

blow

LOL”

“Inquiring minds want to know.
Did the rooms at the old faithful snow inn have coffeemakers?”

“snowmobiles?!?!? lol”

“Don't most national forests have a decent amount of places for ATVs and such?”

“Weren't you whining about cyclists getting in your way the other day muttley, now someone objects to tourons and they are elitist.”

“Lots of places in the US are open to 4wd peeps - like, UTAH. Most of that state is 4wd friendly. Pretty big chunk of CO is 4wd friendly as well - HUGE tracts of land - most of it bordering Designated Wilderness. We have a real good balance it seems to me.”

“Y2, that was a matter of public safety.”