At least f***ing cell phones are banned in Baxter St. Park. How in the hell did thousands upon thousands of AT hikers manage 10 years ago? 20, 30 40, 50 years ago. They sure were taking their lives in their hands. I guess they were the real adventurers. Today’s hikers are scared.
Lone Wolf
Are you suggesting that we shouldnt continue to grow and advance for the sake of convenience or safety?
Yes!!! We should not continue to grow for the sake of convenience. The remote control sure is convenient and we have only grown in our bellys because of it. Car keys that open the trunk of a million $ Lincoln Navigator sure are convenient but where have we “grown” because of it. Believe me I haven’t missed the point you are trying to make, but in my opinion some of these conveniences are just what I’m hikeing the trail trying to avoid.
I agree with most in this discussion: If a phone gives you a sense of security (and I do believe it is a false one) fine. But if I see it, and you are not having a heart attack, I will take it from you and break it.8)
nopart
Maybe you are trying to escape the electronic world, good then do so. Others may be trying to escape your over-zealous judgement. I don’t see the big deal if someone wants to talk on the phone even in earshot of other hikers. Is it really different than just talking to another person? I personally wouldn’t take one, but who am I to say what others do as long as it doesn’t harm the environment. And cell towers aren’t for hikers. I loathe any cell phones but i don’t want to be accessable. Others need to be and that is alright. And a woman fearing rape should not be belittled, it is a concern that should be taken seriously. If someone was attacked I bet they wish they had a phone to get assistance. Lighten and don’t judge what other people do for god sakes. I do own a digital watch and I like it. Come to think about it my headlamp comes in handy too. If you want to go hiking with a torch and loin cloth, go ahead. You won’t see me telling you that you’re wrong in what you do. HYOH
Peace Thom
Walkie Talkie
[quote]
How in the hell did thousands upon thousands of AT hikers manage 10 years ago? 20, 30 40, 50 years ago. [/quote]
First of all, there are far many times greater hikers, especially thru-hikers on the AT now then there were 10,20,30 years ago. If you read the stats, the number of thru-hikers were much fewer back then. Also sad to say, the number of high profile crimes on the AT has occured mostly in the last 10 years. Again, it’s a personal choice and as long as they don’t talk right in front of me on their phone, I don’t really care. People can also make points that radios shouldn’t be allowed on the trail. Then you even argue that tents impact the environment and shouldn’t be allowed. The question I wonder is how they did thru-hikes 30 years ago (I know they were rare back then) without all the gear we have today. There was no such thing as ultra-light gear and such. Thru-hiking the AT is an incredible feat but I really respect those who did it 30 years ago where stores, shelters, low-weight gear and such were much less common.
schikerbiker
I don’t own a cell phone and get along well with out one. I am also annoyed by hikers who whip them out at shelter’s and call home. Use it in town to call but keep it in your pack for emergencies if you so wish. The response time for a resuce will vary on the trail from hours to a day or more if they have to hike into you. Your better off learning basic wilderness skills than depending on you cell phone which may fail when you need it.
One incident where a cell phone was used to aid an injured hiker in the smokies while I was hiking in 2001. They called the Rangers but I went back with another thru-hiker and helped stablized the man who had over extended himself. The Rangers didn’t reach him until the middle of the night which was easter morning. If the section hiker hadn’t over extended himself the rangers would have been at home with their families for easter. I found being a wilderness first responder more useful than a cell phone.
The point is use common sense and educate yourself about wilderness travel.
By the way how much does a cell phone weigh and how often will it need recharging?
Darth Pacman
Alright, I have been reasonable till now, I will be on at springer on the 27th and 28th. Nopart if you would like I will be more than happy to borrow somebodies phone so you can try and take it from me. I don’t own one, but for you I’ll find one. Many times in my life I or sombody around me has been threatened, I’m not the one who fell down! I’m a very reasonable person, I don’t push my ways on other people, and I’m respectful of thier fellings. I find it interesting that you would make a threat like that and nopart doesn’t even have a journal. Have you ever even been on a hike? Threats have no place here or on the trail!
If your not going to post your real trail name, you should keep your opinion to yourself.
Wolf, this is not directed at you, only those that want to take thier shots while remaining a ghost.
BearKat
I’ve had a cell phone for 2 years that I mainly use when I’m out of town, and yes I’ll be taking it for the first month or so until my service plan runs out. Whether I’ll feel comfortable using it or not I don’t know…I think it’s ridiculous to get so defensive about people bringing cell phones on the trail. Now I don’t want to spend a whole lot (if any) of my time out there on the phone and I certainly don’t want to spend a lot of time hearing others yakking away for the sake of yakking, but it’s really none of my business what anyone does out there, and vice versa. There’s something to be said for not always having a way to call home and being somewhat isolated, but to each their own. As long as you’re exercising some respect and courtesy for everyone else’s experience, nobody needs to be judging anything anyone else does with their hike, period.
Sarah
Tawneysue…If taking a cell phone with you on your hike makes you feel better… take it. As I’m sure you’re learning the AT is not exempt from having to deal with macho blowhards who are to afraid to even post their real name or email address. One thing you will find on the trail is there is a real sense of family among hikers. If you ever feel threatened by another hiker or anyone else, there will plenty of us around to assist you. So don’t let these kinds of jerks intimidate you. The good thing is blowhards like nopart quickly drop off the trail.
Moose
Yes, if taking a cell makes a female feel better, by all means take it (males get testosterone shots). Just one more minor point. When you do a long hike, sometimes, for the first time in your life, you are unchained from a giant multiton machine, called a car. When you feel that weight lifted from your shoulders you feel a massive sense of freedom. Your world view goes from global, to just as far as you can walk in a day. The final end to your slavery to machines comes when you smash your cell and escape.
Blue Jay
what about all the technical advances of your gear; you going to try and escape those too? it’s a personal decision, but should be limited to emergency contacts (medical conditions. I agree that we should not just be chatting within earshot of others on the trail. Can you hear me now? goood!
RxR
Some years ago a kid thru hiked who had that brittle bone problem. He had a satelite laptop modem thingy I think. He broke his ankles on a regular basis and used it once in NH to get help. Anyone remember him? Hmm, surfing in the shelter…and the wife can watch her soaps!, DVDs!
Bushwhack
Wasn’t Wingfoot a guy who did the trail back in the 50’s who refused to talk to anyone who did not exactly agree with him? Talk about ancient history.
Blue Jay
Alright, I admit, somebody bailed me out with a cell when we got the %$!( and could barely walk on the Pinhoti.
But so what? I’d rather %$! in my pants than see more of those bird-and-tree-massacring towers put up.
There are increasing instances of massive bird-flock killings during foggy conditions when flocks are attracted to the towers with lights. They become disoriented and fly into each other, the tower, and the ground. In some instances, over 30,000 (!) birds have been murdered on a single evening (NPR radio, Forest Service Study, 2003).
Forget the trail. If you pay for one, now you know what you’re supporting. But go ahead and rationalize… try and convince yourself and others that cells phones are good. Sure, a handful of human lives have been saved. If all you care about is human life, then perhaps you should stay in a town where it’s “safe”. That way you won’t get upset when I rip it from your hand and stuff it in your nalgene.
But I will still %*$! you. :cheers
THA WOOKIE
Just out of curiosity, what do you people that are so against cells think of someone having one that only pulls it out and uses when in towns?? I dont see the problem here?? If not on the trail and only in towns (where you see cells anyway) then what is the big deal? If you have problems with that then you are just out to ruin someones hike. Yes, I would be upset if someone passed me on the trail talking on the phone, but really, how many people out there use the phone ON the trail? I dont agree with that, but even then…is it really worth raising your blood pressure…causing confrontation…and making a jackass out of yourself? Remember about that word respect people.
Tanner B
Lone Wolf…I am not talking the cell phone thing for the reason in carrying a gun. I just dont see what is wrong in having a phone if the only place that it gets pulled out and turned on is in a Town where the townspeople are already talking on their’s anyway. What is the difference between a hiker using a phone in a town and a non-hiker? Tell me, does this really offend you this bad that someone might have a phone in there bag? As long as you dont see it or hear it when in the backcountry, what is the problem???
Tanner B
Dont think you should have a gun (not that you are serious about having one…just being a smartass u-r), but as long as it stays in your bag, and I dont see or hear it, well, then why should I care?
Tanner B
I’m dead serious, I do carry. But joking about flaunting it. If I bare it I will use it unlike the the teasing chicks who bare all on “hike naked day” They get pissed when you ogle them. As far as cell phones, I don’t care. I don’t have one. Or Leki poles, or a water filter, or Gore-tex, or Wingy’s book, or a 2000 mile patch, or a pack under 35lbs., or anything titanium, etc., etc. 8)
Lone Wolf