This story reminds me of the signs all around Joshua Tree. They say in big bold white letters “PEOPLE DIE HERE BRING MORE WATER” or something to that effect. I understand why the messaging was so aggressive… on a hot, beautiful day, and if you’ve never been to a place like that before, things can go south quick.
This is true Ale. I remember once camping in Joshua tree, and the wind was so strong at night it blew our tent away. We can hardly see anything few feet away! And I saw one girl who’s apparently biking across the country. She didn’t bring a tent. And she brought ONE banana with her.
My mother is German, so I spend a lot of time there.
I live in Colorado at 7,200 feet.
The contrast between nature in Germany (with tremendous shelter options) and nature in rural Colorado is amazing.
Europeans just aren't trained to be self sufficient in weather/climate adversity. Help is rarely far away.
Here, when I go for a hike, I have to prepare for unexpected weather and the (small) possibility of being out in it a lot longer than expected. (Extra water, rain gear, a space blanket, fire starter, and most importantly, a skill set.)
The key is that everything has been walked before son every path is signposted.
And you are never far from help - either houses or other walkers.
A crowded, domesticated land. And regulated.
My mother has visited my land in Colorado. She commented that I would have to be rich to afford those views in Germany. And that I would never get permits for my improvements (road bulldozed in, well, generator and fuel tank, shooting range).
Yes I remember hiking in Europe and noticing that everyone just brought a walking stick and nothing else. No water even. No backpacks. No snack bar. Just themselves and their dogs. Are you in northern Colorado? Views of the Rockies?
Just north and west of Colorado Springs (near the Air Force Academy).
On the eastern slope of the Rockies. To my west, the Rockies rise up. To the east, the Great Plains run to Chicago.
At 7,200 feet. Rockies go up to 14,000 feet. Chicago is at 600 feet.
High desert - water is always a consideration.
My land with water is worth $50K/acre. Without water rights, hundreds per acre.
A three day hiking trip requires planning - either you hike to a water source or you carry your water (6 quarts/day equals 36 pounds before food and gear).
Everybody knows about the skiing and the beauty of the mountains.
And hordes of tourists come to visit - all year around.
But even with a population of 6MM, I can get away for three days and not see anybody at all during that time.
Lots of empty spaces that are rarely visited.
A reminder that when people talk about the world being overcrowded, there are still vast swaths of land relatively untouched.
While people (including me) complain about the huge tracts of land owned by the government, it is that federal ownership that maintains pristine wilderness areas.
My heart goes out to the poor child…
This story reminds me of the signs all around Joshua Tree. They say in big bold white letters “PEOPLE DIE HERE BRING MORE WATER” or something to that effect. I understand why the messaging was so aggressive… on a hot, beautiful day, and if you’ve never been to a place like that before, things can go south quick.
This is true Ale. I remember once camping in Joshua tree, and the wind was so strong at night it blew our tent away. We can hardly see anything few feet away! And I saw one girl who’s apparently biking across the country. She didn’t bring a tent. And she brought ONE banana with her.
My mother is German, so I spend a lot of time there.
I live in Colorado at 7,200 feet.
The contrast between nature in Germany (with tremendous shelter options) and nature in rural Colorado is amazing.
Europeans just aren't trained to be self sufficient in weather/climate adversity. Help is rarely far away.
Here, when I go for a hike, I have to prepare for unexpected weather and the (small) possibility of being out in it a lot longer than expected. (Extra water, rain gear, a space blanket, fire starter, and most importantly, a skill set.)
I understand and feel for that family.
Hi Steve- Yes it is true that the landscape can be so different in different places. What’s it typically like in Germany?
Forested, damp, open meadows, farmland.
The key is that everything has been walked before son every path is signposted.
And you are never far from help - either houses or other walkers.
A crowded, domesticated land. And regulated.
My mother has visited my land in Colorado. She commented that I would have to be rich to afford those views in Germany. And that I would never get permits for my improvements (road bulldozed in, well, generator and fuel tank, shooting range).
Yes I remember hiking in Europe and noticing that everyone just brought a walking stick and nothing else. No water even. No backpacks. No snack bar. Just themselves and their dogs. Are you in northern Colorado? Views of the Rockies?
Just north and west of Colorado Springs (near the Air Force Academy).
On the eastern slope of the Rockies. To my west, the Rockies rise up. To the east, the Great Plains run to Chicago.
At 7,200 feet. Rockies go up to 14,000 feet. Chicago is at 600 feet.
High desert - water is always a consideration.
My land with water is worth $50K/acre. Without water rights, hundreds per acre.
A three day hiking trip requires planning - either you hike to a water source or you carry your water (6 quarts/day equals 36 pounds before food and gear).
I’m considering writing a post about the Rockies. What is one aspect of the range that might be interesting, that few people know of, Steve?
Everybody knows about the skiing and the beauty of the mountains.
And hordes of tourists come to visit - all year around.
But even with a population of 6MM, I can get away for three days and not see anybody at all during that time.
Lots of empty spaces that are rarely visited.
A reminder that when people talk about the world being overcrowded, there are still vast swaths of land relatively untouched.
While people (including me) complain about the huge tracts of land owned by the government, it is that federal ownership that maintains pristine wilderness areas.