Solo backpacking as epistemic suicide

But did you have fun?

Or did you forget your novel, and only bring a thesaurus?

Dave,

Normally I truly enjoy your trip reports and stories. I also enjoy hiking solo, which I do most of the time. Now I am truly confused. Do I need a need a new camera, or listen to Death and the Maiden?

;-)

Thanks David. Interesting thoughts and nice photography. Gives the sense you are in a good place, getting after "it". Traction towards whatever that is for you.

Shouldn't this be in Chaff?

Cheers

Screw the philosophizing–beautiful pics. I too love solo hiking in the winter–except when post-holing. My family gave me a PLB last year, and while it won't save me if I slip over a cliff capped by slippery moss, if its a mere ankle break, it might help. I've worked so hard to get in shape to get up the mountains that I actually don't want to die out there, as that would end my adventures and the possibility of maybe heading back to Alaska.

A few years I resolved, as an experiment, to not bring reading material on backpacking trips for the whole year. Now I never do, and am better able to just sit and appreciate as a result. And it's lighter.

Good article and photos. Pushing boundaries and facing death. No fu**in' around. First Kierkegaard, now Derrida. Never heard of either of these cats but trying to follow up and at least grasp their key points. I've probably spent too much time with Terance McKenna and Timothy Leary, or current philosophers such as Neil Kramer who incorporate the psychedelic experience into their philosophy. Lot to be said for facing the possibility of death as a learning experience. I'll take solo backpacking over warfare or cage fighting.

Many, many years ago I brought reading material and it never was utilized, so I lightened my pack of it forever.

david, clearly there's a unique depth to your experiences that ultimately reflects an uncanny kinship with the natural world. reading material in hand, or not, the photos serene, your observations profound, i found the thread entirely inspiring and enlightening. WORD.