To Discover is to be Naive

Ultra light backpacking is like any trip into nature, it is meant for discovery. Not just some cheesy discovery of the soul type thing but seeing and experiencing different views, temperatures, situations and yes discovery of your own limits. To discover is to be naïve. By this I mean that there are things you must know, things you need to know before venturing into nature with minimal supplies. But there is only so much one can know without first experiencing it for yourself. This is the naivety of discovery.

The internet and television ruin discovery. On the internet one can read hundreds of different gear lists from hundreds of different ultra light backpackers. One can read thousands of articles pertaining to camping and survival. The time you can spend reading and discovering what is the “right” gear to take might mean you don’t even venture out into nature and live the backpacking experience. You can read reviews of tents and clothing without testing for yourself what works. This is over-analyzing your trip. Should you read a few articles to get an idea of what you need and perhaps what worked for others? Definitely. But the truth is, you will never know what makes you comfortable or keeps you warm better than living it.

Television too ruins discovery by showcasing shows and stars who put themselves in survival situations, mostly so you can live vicariously through them. Unless of course one watches them to learn, but even then, the lessons are repetitive and really only truly knowable until you have lived in that moment. Bear Grylls television show imparts some knowledge but much of it is purely for show, however enjoyable, it has little merit to the lone traveler in relation to survival. While backpacking is not meant for survival, it surely has the potential. The only show I know that is truly a teaching tool is Survivorman. Les Stroud is all alone, with help days away. His use of primitive techniques and minimal gear is of much use to backpackers of all kinds.

While internet and television (and magazines) can be useful, they can also be harmful to the discovery so many of us want on the trail. The need for the mind to think and rationalize in a situation where we may be in danger is essential to human thinking. It is the most basic, primitive knowledge one can posses. In that time, I would hope those that have seen or read useful tidbits would use them, but also that they would think and act in a manner that is primitive and yet mindful. Some knowledge can be taught but much of it is useless practiced. You can watch Bear Grylls or Les Stroud light fires all day long but until you go out there and make your own bow and hand drill, you cannot know what it means to attempt it.

Discovery should be naïve. It should be new and unexpected. It should make one desire to live and experience something else new and wonderful. Do not let yourself fall prey to the multitude of products on the market. You will surely drown in them. Buy what you need and go on. Learn from your mistakes and live the discovery. There may be discomfort but it is nothing you cannot handle (with some exceptions, but I’m talking moderate weather situations, maybe a thunderstorm or two). Imagine our ancestors who forged paths using much more primitive (and heavy) gear than we use today. Many survived where society was three to fours days out of reach. Today, there are not many places you can go where you are that far from civilization. Take caution, yes, but remember to leave discovery to yourself and not reserved only for television or the internet. Be naïve.