Bedrock & Paradox

I dream of a hard and brutal mysticism in which the naked self merges with a non-human world and yet somehow survives still intact, individual, separate. Paradox and bedrock.

No fucking spot

I mean, now Grizz himself has one, what is the world coming to?

I am not getting one. I’m expecting my mom to call this afternoon, in fact, and bug me about it. The only reason she hasn’t done so, and I haven’t had Grizz’s (and everyone else’s) exact conversation, is that she’s a bit behind the curve on technology. (Up until a few years ago she didn’t even have a computer in her office, and did all her billing by hand.)

It’s the old saw; if I’m going out into the woods by myself, I want the onus of death firmly on my shoulders. Cell phone’s makes me lazy, I found that out last year at the KTR. They can be damn handy, but overall I want the burden of decision making.

Then again, some of those things could be said of the GPS; and though mine is more of a data-gathering device, it’s been very handy at times this year.

Lets take the Prescott-Grand Canyon tour as an example, listing electronics carried:

-LED h-bar light
-headlamp
-watch
-GPS
-cell phone (turned off except when I checked in Saturday night, yeah, I know..)
-camera
-iPod

That’s quite enough, I think. Then again, it’s all a matter of degrees, anyway.

And finally, some inspiration. M has work to do.

DaveC

14 responses to “No fucking spot”

  1. Ed Avatar
    Ed

    iPod?Ed

    Reply
  2. Dave Avatar
    Dave

    Oh shit, that too.Damnit.

    Reply
  3. Grizzly Adam Avatar
    Grizzly Adam

    I have mixed feelings about having one. There are a lot of ways that using one could cause MORE panic on the home front. For example, if I am sending regular OK messages, and then suddenly they stop coming, whoever is receiving the messages is going to think the worst. Ground rules before you set out, on how the device will be used have to be establishedI think the use for them is manifold though. I read about the three hikers pulled off Rainier this week, one of which died. A SPOT may have saved his life. But then, so might have some better luck.It is probably only a matter of time before someone who has a SPOT, hits 911 and still dies. His family is going to sue SPOT because they were too slow to get their relative out of a bad situation. Because, after all, nobody these days wants to be responsible for their own actions. Yet another reason I think the self-supported race style is so important.The next step in the technology is to create a small device that allows 2-way text messaging via satellite. So instead of a generic, pre-programmed OK, Help or 911 message, you can send situation specific texts–and get ones in return. From anywhere in the world.Does that cross the line? Probably. But when it saves a (my?) life, well that line gets pretty blurry, pretty quickly.The key is too plan as if you will not have any “Oh $h!t” button, and then act accordingly out in the wild.And thus endeth the longest comment ever.

    Reply
  4. Meredith Avatar
    Meredith

    I would like to state for the record that I neither requested, nor expected (nor answered) the Saturday night check in…that appears to me, as you using the phone for a little emotional crutch…just saying.

    Reply
  5. Dave Avatar
    Dave

    M, I was definitly guilty of that. No shame here.Grizz, the legal point is a good one. Let’s hope it does not come to pass.

    Reply
  6. Meredith Avatar
    Meredith

    Point being – your having a cell phone on that trip was no different than most people having a Spot – you knew you got cell phone coverage over most of that area, so the whole time you were on that trip, you knew you were easily rescued… which, I would think, takes away that whole Potential-of-Death issue.p.s. I’m not sure your mother reads your blog regularly.

    Reply
  7. Velociraptor Avatar
    Velociraptor

    Dave See says he’ll never get on either…My significant other got me one. I have to say though, I have come to think of it as pretty cool. She does just a little less worrying, which is goooood. Sort’a like its her snookie, you know a “security blanket”. PS: I would love to ride with you this year Dave-Dave T.

    Reply
  8. Enel Avatar
    Enel

    Even my old dad has one. He likes to travel and just pushes the OK button to email all the kids his current location (surprising sometimes.)

    Reply
  9. Enel Avatar
    Enel

    PS:I think he mainly got it so he doesn’t pull a Fossett flying around the west.

    Reply
  10. Enel Avatar
    Enel

    Loved the times article. I can very much relate.Kids (and adults) are picky because they aren’t starving IMO.

    Reply
  11. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    Ditch the celly. Bring the SPOT. Set ground rules. Problem solved.-C “from Banff!”

    Reply
  12. Dave Avatar
    Dave

    Plesko! Go RIIIIIDEE!!!

    Reply
  13. Geoff Avatar
    Geoff

    i had the same feelings about the SPOT. my mother of course had no idea i felt this way and she bought me one for my birthday and now I started using it because I felt like I owed it to my mom for buying it (even though I had to pay $100 to activate it). like other gadgets, now that i’m accustomed to it it just seems normal, but really it’s kind of lame. you’re not in missoula on recon. now are you? i’ll be passing through missoula sometime tomorrow. call me if you are 907 209 4008.

    Reply
  14. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    Bah, I can’t ride much, taper and all. Either way I already rode and ate and sat in the hot springs. other than obsess about the snow on the passes, what else can I do but bother you? :)

    Reply

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