Lessons from the Wild #9

Leave-no-trace camping is an increasingly popular, and necessary, approach to travel in wilderness areas. As the term suggests, the goal is for the camper to have as little impact as possible on the location they are visiting. One of its mottos is "Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints."

The principles of "Leave No Trace" were developed in response to concerns that the increasing number of human visitors to previously uninhabited (or lightly inhabited) wilderness areas would destroy the very characteristics that make them attractive, and irreparably harm native species. While each individual visitor might have an insignificant impact, the cumulative effect of thousands, and even millions of visitors to a site over the years would be profound. Rather than removing humanity altogether from these environments, leave-no-trace camping seeks to minimize the changes we make just by visiting. It's also a courtesy to the people who'll be visiting the same place the next day, or the next year, giving them a chance to experience the area the same way you did.  

Here's a great list of 29 Leave No Trace principles to keep in mind.  

Because I do so much backcountry camping, and like to go cross-country (where there are no established trails) the approach is almost the opposite. Rather than trying to concentrate your impact (such as on a single trail) the idea is to disperse it as much as possible. Try to avoid following trails others have left, because that tends to make them larger and more damaging. Several people walking single-file etches your shared trail more deeply, but each member of your party can instead tread more lightly on their own path. Walk on the most durable ground you can: rock instead of dirt, dead grasses instead of live plants, dry soil instead of muddy. 

Once you start practicing Leave No Trace, you'll wonder why it took you so long to get the hang of it.  Wilderness is a rare and precious thing, and it's up to us to be its stewards.  Unfortunately, many people are still clueless about these principles.  So why not help out and take it a step further?

Negative Trace is about actually removing trash or undoing damage that others have caused. It can be as easy as bending over and picking up a stray trail bar wrapper. Some people also refer to this ethic as "Erase The Trace".  Those of us that get so much enjoyment from spending time in nature should take time to give back. Land managers are often short on trail maintainers and wilderness rangers, so why not help maintain your favorite areas? A little preventative maintenance can make a big difference.

Lessons from the Wild #8

By now, you've probably gained a sense of the importance Nature has in my life.  As it should.  In all of ours.  We were born from nature, and we rely on it for the very essence of life.  Every time I have the privilege to be immersed in it, I never fail to gain some new insight.

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."  - Albert Einstein

My most recent immersion was a 9-day section of the High Sierra Route - a much more adventurous alternative to the popular John Muir Trail across the Eastern Sierras of California.  My aim was to do something more challenging... to get off the beaten path... challenge myself.  And I did.  I traveled almost exclusively cross-country - without a trail - crossing six 12,000' passes, and summiting two 14,000' peaks.  There were many lessons I learned along the way, but chief among them was the importance of finding your own path.   

Humans seek. It's what we do. We seek enlightenment, self-improvement, physical perfection, a shorter commute...  Nature is such a strong force in the world that no matter where we live or what our lifestyle, there is always a bit of the natural world creeping in. Even the concrete jungles of major cities are still home to a number of "greenspaces" where the inspiration of nature can be felt. 

“I see a vision of a great rucksack revolution thousands or even millions of young Americans wandering around with rucksacks, going up to mountains to pray, making children laugh and old men glad, making young girls happy and old girls happier, all of 'em Zen Lunatics who go about writing poems that happen to appear in their heads for no reason and also by being kind and also by strange unexpected acts keep giving visions of eternal freedom to everybody and to all living creatures.”   - Gary Snyder  

If you haven't already realized what life changing effects nature can have, you probably haven't spent much time in natural surroundings.  Or if you have, you haven't really taken the time to gain the awareness of what nature does. Nature is a connection to your soul. It's how you spend time getting to know yourself - your true self.

In modern life, while nature is still present, there is a tangible disconnect for people. This is especially true for those of us who live in suburban, or urban environments. We have pills for every ailment, GPS units to navigate, and we get our "food" from the supermarket.  Our advances in technology and convenience aren't necessarily bad things, but we need to keep things in perspective and not forget about our past. Our connection to nature should always be cherished and remembered.  There are many benefits to "getting back to nature". Research has shown that a connection to nature decreases stress and stimulates healing, and it makes people nicer!

As society continues to become more isolating, a growing number of people are uncertain about what to do with their lives - how to add value to it, provide meaning for it, or to simply find some measure of happiness in it.  Spending time in nature can bring clarity.

“Not all those who wander are lost.”                 - J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring 

Everyone has heard that life is a journey and not a destination. As we journey through life, we can do so with a path in mind. The path doesn't have to be specific at first, or necessarily ever. It could be one we deliberately set, or one with no deliberate intent. A path is as much an expression of our individuality or uniqueness as it is a direction, purpose, or intent.  Finding the right path means getting to know ourselves first. We can have more than one path going at any given time, so long as they aren't in conflict.

"As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives."   - Henry David Thoreau

The key is to become an intuitive navigator.  Be aware.  Look closely and see the signs, as subtle as they may be.  Respect your own individuality.  Not everyone will see things the same, and you may not have chosen the best path, but there are lessons to be learned on the journey all the same. 

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”   - Ernest Hemingway

Lessons from the Wild #7

flex·i·ble (adjective)

1. capable of being bent, usually without breaking; easily bent: a flexible ruler.
2. susceptible of modification or adaptation; adaptable: a flexible schedule.
3. willing or disposed to yield; pliable: a flexible personality.

 

 

Resistance to change is found at the heart of all conflicts, both internal and external.  Yet in nature things seem to evolve without any attachment to what was.  Nature has many lessons to teach us, and one of them is about flexibility in the midst of change.  The basic principle of the universe we live in is evolution – change with growth.  So if change and growth are in harmony with nature, it explains why resistance is painful.  When it come to growth, flexibility is a much better strategy than resistance.

 

"Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it."  - Lao Tzu 

We are often faced with situations where things don’t turn out quite the way we want. The best way to survive these unwanted variations is to be flexible. Adapt to the change. Be creative. A flexible person will be conscious enough to know when they need to be rigid, but a rigid person will probably not be conscious enough to know when they need to be flexible. 

 

Learn to know when a situation requires flexibility. Once again, nature is a great teacher.

 

At work - Be like a hummingbird.  Hummingbirds build nests with specific material to allow them to be both flexible and stable, which allows the nest to expand as the babies grow.  They  also need to be strong enough to weather storms.  Likewise, a leader has to pay attention to building and leading an organization that is flexible enough to “go with the flow” when needed and stable enough to withstand the storms that come their way.

 

At home - Be like a tree.  Trees combines both strength and flexibility.  Because trees bend with the wind, instead of trying to resist it, they can weather a storm without breaking. So too, we don’t need to get bent out of shape about conflict or change. Use the situation as an opportunity to learn, and grow.

 

Remember to be one with the nature of change. Be flexible. Don’t stick to something that doesn’t work.   

 

“Planning is helpful. If you don’t know what you want, you’ll seldom get it. But, no matter how well you plan, you will fare better if you expect the unexpected. The unexpected, by nature, comes unseen, unthought, unenvisioned. All you can do is plan to go unplanned, prepare to be unprepared, make going with the flow part of your agenda, for the most successful among us envision, plan, and prepare, but cast all aside as needed, while those who are unable to go with the flow often suffer, if they survive.”   - David W. Jones, Moses and Mickey Mouse: How to Find Holy Ground in the Magic Kingdom and Other Unusual Places  

Lessons from the Wild #6

pa·tience (noun)

1. the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.
2. an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay: to have patience with a slow learner.
3. quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence: to work with patience.

 

My most recent backpacking trip was in the company of a friend who's fairly new to this type of adventure.  Though it has it's challenges, it's wonderful to turn someone on to the magic of nature.  To witness that "Aha!" moment when they get it.  The friend in question is fairly fit and game for most anything.  Still, our group planned something a bit less challenging, just to be safe.  

The hike in was an easy-moderate 4.6 miles.  From here, we'd camp for two nights and venture out on more strenuous day hikes.  We reached camp in the early afternoon, set up tents, filled our water bottles, and debated where to head for the remainder of the day.  The friend, hearing of our destination, opted to hang out by the lake and read. The rest of us set off to climb the mountain looming over our lake.  At the summit, we relaxed for awhile on top, enjoying the magic hour of light, before returning to camp.  When we arrived, my friend greeted us excitedly, talking about the quiet, the birds, the smells, the light...  she was beaming.  

Later, she confessed that after our group had left, she sat staring at the lake.  Lonely.  Bored.  She sat, and she stared, and she listened - for a very long while.  And then she began to see - the way the light danced and shimmered across the surface of the lake, the way the fish caused ripples on its surface.  And she heard - the song of birds, and the rustle of the wind through the trees.  And she got it.  She went from boredom - from seeing nothing - to the joy of awareness - seeing everything.    

Gaining this awareness takes time.  Time that we don't typically allow ourselves in the mad rush of everyday life.  We live in a world where we can pretty much get anything we want right when we want it.  If we need to talk to someone, we can call, text, or email them and get an instant response.  If we need an answer, we can pull out our iPhone and Google it, and have the answer in minutes. So, when we do have moments where our patience is tested at work or at home, it’s easy to get frustrated.

Impatience will not change anything for the better, it only makes us feel worse. Impatience moves us to rush into the next moment without fully experiencing the present one.  Pay attention when you find yourself blindly rushing forward.  Take a few deep breaths.  Focus.  Wait.  Waiting doesn't mean doing nothing, it means reflecting, relaxing, and seeing what develops.  Cultivate patience and you'll not only reduce stress, but make wiser decisions.    

Learn from the lesson of nature, of which we are all an integral part, and let everything unfold in its own time.

“Adopt the pace of nature:  her secret is patience.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Lessons from the Wild #5

There are many lessons to be learned from the natural world. Take trees, for example. Forests cover almost one third of the land area of our planet. They help protect, sustain and improve supplies of fresh water. They purify the air and convert carbon dioxide, water, minerals and sunlight into nutrients and oxygen. And they support a wide variety of life, including many plants, insects, fungi, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

What life lessons can we learn from trees? 

• Be flexible, so you don't break when a harsh wind blows.
• Cycles are a part of life.
• Leaves, though they can be small, are vital to the life of a tree. So value the little things.
• Even a mighty oak grows from a small acorn. Do not be intimidated by small beginnings.
• Sometimes you have to shed your old bark in order to grow.
• In forests, individual trees support one another. How much support do you share with those around you? Teamwork can accomplish much more than the sum of individual efforts, often making the difference between success and failure. 
• Your success and wisdom of life depends on how extensive your root system is, and how solid your principals are. 
• Avoid people who would like to cut you down.

"Your deepest roots are in nature. No matter who you are, where you live, or what kind of life you lead, you remain irrevocably linked with the rest of creation."  - Charles Cook

Lessons from the Wild #4

Even when we can't get "away" to the wilderness, it's still important to spend time in nature.

Particularly for urbanite's, we need open green spaces to improve our physical and psychological health, strengthen our communities, and make our cities and neighborhoods more attractive places to live and work. Unfortunately, too few Americans are able to enjoy these benefits. 80% of Americans live in metropolitan areas, and many of these areas are severely lacking in park space. Only 30% of Los Angeles residents live within walking distance of a nearby park. Atlanta has no public green space larger than one-third of a square mile. And low-income neighborhoods populated by minorities and recent immigrants are especially short of park space.

Not only are green spaces are an essential component of a healthy community, but they're a great benefit for the whole environment.  They filter pollutants and dust from the air, they provide shade and lower temperatures in urban areas, and they even reduce erosion of soil into our waterways.

Green spaces can come in many forms, and can be started by YOU -

• Plant a tree - It's one of the most simple and effective things you can do to improve your green space.
• Create a Community Green - These are shared open green spaces on the inside of city blocks, created either when residents merge backyard space or reclaim underutilized urban land such as vacant lots and alleyways.  Communities that create backyard commons have increased interaction with neighbors throughout the planning and implementation process, which results in a stronger overall sense of community. 
• Apply to Install a Parklet - These mini sidewalk parks are popping up in many cities.  Parklets are aesthetic enhancements to the streetscape, providing an economical solution to the need for increased public open space.
• Create a Park in Your City - This takes more work, but there are organizations like The Trust for Public Land that provides tools to help.
• Become an Urban Gardener - Besides making your food as "local" as possible, urban gardening provides all the other green space benefits. 

 

Lessons from the Wild #3

This perfectly sums up what I feel after just returning from a week hiking in Yosemite National Park on the John Muir Trail -

"You didn't come into this world. You came out of it, like a wave from the ocean. You are not a stranger here."  - Alan Watts

Only one week, and I feel reborn, refreshed.  And, I feel a deep gratitude for those that fought the good fight, and still are, to protect and preserve our wild spaces.  This last was hit home strongly by a German friend who joined me on this trip.  This is a guy I'd met trekking in Nepal 7 years prior.  He's fortunate to be a tour guide and has spent a lot of time in majestic mountain landscapes all around the world.  After a brief trip here in 2009, he was eager to come back for more, and set his sights on a 4-week hike of the legendary John Muir Trail.  I joined him for the first few days and was inspired at seeing the California Sierras through his eyes.  One observation he made really struck me - that in the Alps, or Himalayas, or in most other mountain ranges, you generally begin in a town or village, hike up a mountain, then descend back to another town.  Not only that, but, particularly in the Alps, on many of the ridges you'll see gondolas, and lights, and roads snaking through all the valleys.  But here, in the California Sierras, you can look as far as the eye can see, and walk for a couple days (or more) in any direction, and still be in wilderness.  WOW!

And it's true.  As we sat in the evenings, watching the light fade from the sky and be replaced by countless stars, I realized that I couldn't even detect a dim glow of some distant town anywhere on the horizon.  Yes, this is rare I thought, and to the great credit of the founder's of our country's national park system.  And countless others who have fought for their continuing preservation, against great odds. David vs. Goliath type battles.

“Something will have gone out of us as a people if we ever let the remaining wilderness be destroyed ... We simply need that wild country available to us, even if we never do more than drive to its edge and look in.”   - Wallace Stegner, The Sound of Mountain Water

There are many organizations doing amazing work to protect and preserve these vitally important places for all to enjoy - wild animals included.  Start by checking these out and consider what you can do to help - sign a petition, donate, volunteer, spread the word.

National Parks Conservation Association
Friends of the Earth
The Wilderness Society
Save Our State Parks
The Sierra Club
The Nature Conservancy 
Campaign for America's Wilderness
California Wilderness Coalition
Earthjustice
Save the Redwoods League

I also highly recommend the Ken Burns documentary - The National Parks: America's Best Idea - that not only tells the amazing story of our parks foundings, but is beautiful nature porn too.  Most importantly, get out into the Wild!

“It had nothing to do with gear or footwear or the backpacking fads or philosophies of any particular era or even with getting from point A to point B. It had to do with how it felt to be in the wild. With what it was like to walk for miles with no reason other than to witness the accumulation of trees and meadows, mountains and deserts, streams and rocks, rivers and grasses, sunrises and sunsets. The experience was powerful and fundamental. It seemed to me that it had always felt like this to be a human in the wild, and as long as the wild existed it would always feel this way.”   - Cheryl Strayed, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail