Re: Backpackers Etiquette.........
Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 7:04 am
Well, not to get all zen and everything, but disappointment comes from (unfounded) expectations.
With regard to the Sierra, one of the biggest misconceptions - which leads to unrealistic expectations - is that it represents some kind of remote, pristine wilderness. Not even close; unlike the Himalayas or Andes, the Sierra are a highly developed, easily accessed range that is available to millions of people.
Consider Dusy basin for example. I would posit that even the worst, out-of-shape hikers fresh from their local REI could make it up & over Bishop pass to that lake within 2 days. In this context, it's not really any different than Yosemite valley, with the exception that trails do eliminate the morbidly obese in their electro-carts.
So the general solution is to move on to more remote, x-c lakes & basins in an attempt to ensure more solitude. But there's a big however - and that's that this 'solution' ignores the growth in thru-hiking (which is destined to only accelerate with the movie version of Wild coming out), and the development of uber-hikers who are so strong that they can whip off 25-30 mile (trail) days without a sweat.
And what do a lot of these PCTers remark upon after their hike is completed? You guessed, how beautiful the Sierra were, with many agreeing it was the highlight of their trip. So guess where they want to go again to explore in further detail?
I approach the Sierra like I approach a good surf day in SoCal - expect a crowd, and be pleasantly surprised if you catch a window of (relative) solitude.
Consider how long the Sierra have been occupied/developed: the Tioga road was purchased by Mather on behalf of the park from a defunct mining operation near Saddlebag (Bennetville). Muir himself thought he was achieving solitude, only to find shepherds had already claimed every good alpine meadow, which their flocks were busily destroying, and this was 150 years ago.
With regard to the Sierra, one of the biggest misconceptions - which leads to unrealistic expectations - is that it represents some kind of remote, pristine wilderness. Not even close; unlike the Himalayas or Andes, the Sierra are a highly developed, easily accessed range that is available to millions of people.
Consider Dusy basin for example. I would posit that even the worst, out-of-shape hikers fresh from their local REI could make it up & over Bishop pass to that lake within 2 days. In this context, it's not really any different than Yosemite valley, with the exception that trails do eliminate the morbidly obese in their electro-carts.
So the general solution is to move on to more remote, x-c lakes & basins in an attempt to ensure more solitude. But there's a big however - and that's that this 'solution' ignores the growth in thru-hiking (which is destined to only accelerate with the movie version of Wild coming out), and the development of uber-hikers who are so strong that they can whip off 25-30 mile (trail) days without a sweat.
And what do a lot of these PCTers remark upon after their hike is completed? You guessed, how beautiful the Sierra were, with many agreeing it was the highlight of their trip. So guess where they want to go again to explore in further detail?
I approach the Sierra like I approach a good surf day in SoCal - expect a crowd, and be pleasantly surprised if you catch a window of (relative) solitude.
Consider how long the Sierra have been occupied/developed: the Tioga road was purchased by Mather on behalf of the park from a defunct mining operation near Saddlebag (Bennetville). Muir himself thought he was achieving solitude, only to find shepherds had already claimed every good alpine meadow, which their flocks were busily destroying, and this was 150 years ago.