[pct-l] Ubermutts?

[Bob McCallister <bigmac@tbwt.com>]

Tom Sweetnam wrote:
  > Seems to me that somewhere along civilization's path we've lost touch with what
  > the wilderness is all about. 
and:
  > For instance, I rarely get lost.<snip>Sally has guided me on trails many times,
  > Some other big advantages to having a dog along, are that bears and mountain    >lions are far less likely to confront you. I usually stash most of the food in Sally's
   > pack too

   That's true enough. But isn't backpacking largely about self-sufficiency, routefinding, co-existing with wildlife, pulling and literally-carrying your own weight? Nobody doubts the companionship a dog can give, but a dog shouldn't be a backcountry crutch, either.

 >  I'm reminded of the girl who posted a suggestion on Backpacker Magazine's
 > web board that certain sections of national parks should be cleared of ALL
 > animals,

I've got that issue in front of me. The "girl"'s name is Stefan Schreier, from Twisp WA. *I'm* reminded of a guy who posted another dumb-ass "quote" about bear-damage to supposedly show what idiots forest rangers are. 

 > Nietzsche once opined that "all we need to learn about  life, we can learn from our   >dogs". I think he must have been backpacking with his
 > when that particular bit of inspiration struck.

Hey, I'm no expert on Nietzsche the renowned backpacker <LOL>, but I don't think we're supposed to take that remark *literally*. Seems like some people do, though, woof!                        Bob (Big Mac) McCallister

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