Nice to see so many thoughtful comments and ideas. I liked TacoLand's point that energy may be better used in education rather than other things. There is no stopping the Interwebz and information will make it's way to many places, including Instagram and AllTrails, etc. I certainly agree that the concern with that is the lack of preparedness from some hikers that may head out into the backcountry and find themselves in danger or dead. That's were having to put a little more effort than just open an App and follow the blue triangle over the red line in the map feels better. GPS used to be non-existent for the masses, then became more and more accessible and now there is an entire generation of people that does not know the world without it. In that regard education is really the only way.,, and hope for the best.

I was worried that people would feel that if you do a route that someone else has done before, that some hard feelings may crop. However, it is clear that is not the case. Which is great!
I do appreciate having that reaffirmed.

(2022-01-25, 10:40 AM)Algol Wrote: I certainly agree that the concern with that is the lack of preparedness from some hikers that may head out into the backcountry and find themselves in danger or dead.

Yes, there’s a whole generation that also flaunts danger for likes. It appears that their mindset is as if they can set out in shorts, a tank top and flip flops in August on a day long hike into remote sections as long as their apparel has an REI tag and that they water bottle is a Yeti. Get in trouble? Just hit the reset button.

Like most, I dislike disclaimers, but I felt compelled to include them when I had my website.

I just read a description by a group of strong hikers on a good long trip just outside Tucson where they encountered one of these lost and panicked app hikers. I sounds like the poor guy was terrified that he was going to die in the wild and it took a bunch to calm him down. The group that "rescued" him got him back on the trail and shortly thereafter the first of three SAR parties came upon the scene so they left him with them. The lost hiker had managed to call for help, apparently several times, the the trailhead is right at the edge of the city. All this occurred in a rugged place but where there is a trail, if you know how to see one when the vegetation has taken over after a big monsoon this year in the area.

I've now "rescued" multiple people in the Death Valley backcountry and each group was led by someone far older than me. As fun as it is to punchdown on the youngest generation, shit happens.

(2022-01-25, 10:09 PM)TacoLand Wrote: I've now "rescued" multiple people in the Death Valley backcountry 

No obligation of course out of respect for your personal use of time but if you can I'd appreciate a "rescue" story or two. So far I've not had to employ my vintage Boy Scout skills on any lost souls in DEVA.

First one was a rolled vehicle with driver and two small children. Second one was a hiker with a broken leg that had been without supplies for a few days. Neither was a pleasant experience. Both were 20+ years my elder and familiar with the area / outdoors.

I've also unintentionally taken multiple people beyond their comfort level in Death Valley while hiking & off-roading, and broke my leg that one time ...

All of these events happened without the involvement of the internet, no "Likes" were issued, nor was I wearing anything with an REI tag. We wear Patagonia in this family, dammit.

Appreciate the Patagonia comment, Taco

(2022-01-26, 11:25 AM)TacoLand Wrote: All of these events happened without the involvement of the internet, no "Likes" were issued, nor was I wearing anything with an REI tag. We wear Patagonia in this family, dammit.

(2022-01-26, 06:35 PM)MojaveGeek Wrote: Appreciate the Patagonia comment, Taco

Arc'teryx or death

(2022-01-26, 09:15 PM)netllama Wrote: Arc'teryx or death

I'm so out of it with high tech gear that I had to google Arc'teryx before smiling at netllama's comment. Here a link just in case I'm not the only clueless forum member. 
https://arcteryx.com/