[pct-l] Do you really not want to hear?

[Jim Keener]

--- Point North <pointnorther_light at yahoo.com> wrote:

> I agree totally that wearing headphones or noise
> blocking devices on the trail seems ridiculous.  You
> go into nature to block out nature's sounds?  

Greetings:

I have thought about this since the issue came up a
few days ago. And I usually do not want to carry an
iPod when backpacking. I do often carry one on
exercise hikes - in areas I frequently visit and hike
primarily for exercise. I had an iPod in my bounce box
when I hiked in 2004, and carried it in one section.
There were times when the music added to the
experience. Grand music in a grand environment. I'm
thinking about Beethoven's Ninth on the Big Horn
Plateau. But after a while the music seemed
superfluous, and I turned it off - even before the
battery wore down. 

Now when the hike is about movement, music is
marvelous. Terrain dancing. Flatt and Scruggs playing
"Foggy Mountain Breakdown" while I'm going up a
moderate grade helps produce a powerful high, at least
for me. And Enya - a lot of her songs.

So, I guess we are back to HYOH. If there is one
orthodoxy among trail people, it seems to be: "no
orthodoxies." One of my favorite things about Colin
Fletcher's "The Complete Walker" is his admonition
against authorities, remarking that he once came upon
some hikers who were quoting him as an authority. He
had a good laugh about that.

Best,
J J

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