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A pause to remember what it's all about

HikingMano

HikingMano

Joined
Sep 2, 2008
Messages
7,702
You know, I get caught up in the knives, gear, and acquiring W&SS skills, like many others here. I thought it'd be nice to have a thread that reminds us what it's all about, why we're all here talking with each other, and what we all have in common (because we know how many debates we have on knives and batonning and gear selection and what not;)). We're here because we love the outside.

So, post a picture of one of your favorite wild spots and a little blurb if you wish, AND tell us when you'll next visit it.



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Ka'ena point, O'ahu, Hawai'i (looking toward west side of O'ahu from point tip)

It's really not that far from civilization, but at the tip of the point, you feel like the only human on the planet. Ka'ena means "the heat," and it is well earned on a hot summer day when the sun beats down on you. In old Hawaiian lore, Ka'ena point was the place from which souls of the deceased would jump into the afterlife; the point is entirely ethereal at sunset and one can easily imagine souls entering the water to join the setting sun. If you ever hike to the point, bring lots of water :thumbup:.

I should be back to visit this winter, when the waves will be monstrous :).


I hope this isn't too off topic....
 
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Great thread!


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Wishon Reservoir, 6,600 feet.

When my dad first started coming here as a kid, he and my grandparents were the only ones there. It's not like that anymore, and sometimes it can be hard to get a camping spot on holiday weekends. But, I still get chills when I get about an hour away. The cool air, the fresh smell of pine trees, the dark shadows of the thick forest, it never gets old. The giant granite boulders, the trout, it just takes me to another place every time I visit. No matter what is going on in my life, when I'm here nothing else matters.

We're planning to be there next Thursday night for labor day weekend! I can't wait.
 
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Here's a couple that I already had on imageshack. I'll post more from my other computer tomorrow.

Barnes Meadow Res. CO, for some good ol' ice fishing. One of many of my favorite places to go in CO.
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:thumbup:
 
I seem to get really burned out real fast- By this I mean on the drive or the first half hour of the hike I'm so overcome by what I'm about to do and the scenery that when I actually get in the rough of it I'm too emotionally dry to really enjoy the best of it. I guess I'm sort of a virgin to elevation change, and I'm trying to make up for lost time really really fast. In the last 3 months I've been to 6 states I've never been to before-New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho and Oregon, and I've worn out socks in all of them.
this is Hell's Canyon. The bouys suck, but what can ya do. I'll be back next spring to kick off rafting season.
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Sheep Lake-elevation, 9000 feet. It is one of the handful of pure high mountain lakes in the Seven Devils, surrounded on all sides by sheer thousand foot walls. It's like its own little world/ecosystem, ospreys and goats are the only things that can come in and out. I've never felt so alone, or at peace, in my entire life. I worked extremely hard to get to that spot, up one rock face and down the other, on a very sketchy trail, but the trout you can probably catch by hand and are just massive. The sky is so clear at night, as there is no light pollution whatsoever. Pictures could never do justice to some places. I'll try to get back before winter hits.
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Great stuff guys, I especially like the thoughts/descriptions/stories/reminiscences that accompany the pics. Odaon, when are you heading back to Barnes Meadow?

Keep em comin! I hope this thread grows well :) I think the "when will you be back" bit is crucial. It gives us a little reminder to look forward, no matter what else is goin on :thumbup:.
 
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Mist Trail/Nevada Falls, Yosemite. Since I started getting into all this knife and outdoor stuff, I haven't had a real chance to get out enjoy myself in the real outdoors. I went on a Sunday and even though it was crowded, I felt like I was alone in the whole place, I feel like a whole new person haven experience the beautiful place. I miss it so much I will likely return this monday thru wednesday alone. :D
 
It can be any stretch of trail anywhere - if this little guy is on my back I feel like life can't get any better.

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Crystal Lake in Hillsville, PA. A 20 minute drive to my morning getaway on my days off of work. This shot was taken from favorite fishing spot.

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myright said:
It can be any stretch of trail anywhere - if this little guy is on my back I feel like life can't get any better.

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Click to expand...

I know the feeling, but I have to add to that mine can be riding in front of me like this too.

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Since having him, my whole out look on what everything is about has changed. I've learned what everyone means when they say "you'll know when you have one of your own" The fact that I will someday be teaching him this stuff has really driven me to hone my old skills and learn new ones in the past year and a half.

David

By The Way: This picture is after a ride to celebrate him turning 6 months old. That ride was 4 hours later that month he went on a 6 hour ride. I'm still amazed that he will ride that long without getting fussy.
 
One of my favourite hiking areas are the Norwegian mountains. This year I've been hiking and camping there. It is a beautiful and very quiet area. My own country, the Netherlands, is very crowded, about 16 million people living in a very small area. I don't know when I will go back, there are more nice mountain areas in Europe, but the Norwegian mountains are my favourite and the Pyrenees are currently number two.

Here two pictures. The first one is made on Jotunheimen, the second one on the Hardangervidda.

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From the Continental Divide up in the Wind River Range, elevation about 12,500 feet, looking at Grasshopper Glacier. Probably won't ever get back to this spot, it was pretty dangerous and difficult to get here for my tastes. Who knows, maybe I'll get there again someday, though.
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Here's one I'll be going back to for sure. Maybe next year, depending on the route I plan. The Titcomb basin in the Wind Rivers. Truly an amazing spot.
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And here's a pretty good view from the farm at home.
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I'd like to think its the landscapes, but it really isn't for me. Sure, I get swayed by pretty surroundings and they provide a compass to fix my bearing. But in the end it is the time spent out there. A chance to get away from the pressures of my regular life. When I'm in the bush, I get the chance to really become introspective. I get a chance to think personal thoughts and when I'm with buddies I get to share a unique introspective group think.

As much as it is about looking at gorgeous water falls, mountainsides and trees, it is also about staring into the fire at night, listening to the hoot of owls and contemplating those very basic questions of the soul.

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p.s. whenever I think back and contemplate about what it's all about, at least in my mind's eye, I'm always young :D
 
West Tensleep Lake, elevation 9000ft in the Bighorn Mtns. Hopefully I'll be up there in a couple of weeks...

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This shot came from the Tunxis Trail here in CT.
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Sunrise over a NC beach. Nature is everywhere, even in tourist traps.
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I get out just to be out. Kinda like what KGD said; being out, alone or with friends, gives me the chance to totally forget that there is a single other human in the world, and get a little primal. I like to sit and breath the woodsy smells and just let my mind wander.

I think I'll try to get out for an overnighter this coming week.
 
Im a river rat. Live just a mile from the mississippi. I will be spending part of the weekend there.

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rksoon said:
You know, I get caught up in the knives, gear, and acquiring W&SS skills, like many others here. I thought it'd be nice to have a thread that reminds us what it's all about, why we're all here talking with each other, and what we all have in common (because we know how many debates we have on knives and batonning and gear selection and what not;)). We're here because we love the outside.

So, post a picture of one of your favorite wild spots and a little blurb if you wish, AND tell us when you'll next visit it.



IMG_1043.jpg

Ka'ena point, O'ahu, Hawai'i (looking toward west side of O'ahu from point tip)

It's really not that far from civilization, but at the tip of the point, you feel like the only human on the planet. Ka'ena means "the heat," and it is well earned on a hot summer day when the sun beats down on you. In old Hawaiian lore, Ka'ena point was the place from which souls of the deceased would jump into the afterlife; the point is entirely ethereal at sunset and one can easily imagine souls entering the water to join the setting sun. If you ever hike to the point, bring lots of water :thumbup:.

I should be back to visit this winter, when the waves will be monstrous :).


I hope this isn't too off topic....
Click to expand...

Nice pic, brings back memories. Thanks. Spent 2 years at Camp Smith and in the Marines. 1970 what a beautiful place. It was the free love era and people liked to party.
 
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