The forum

[mountain mama]

I have only been here a very short time (less than a month), but I have already learned so much...more than I imagined I would. I appreciate the input and knowledge shared of those who have BTDT. One thing I have noticed though is that many of those who have actual RL experience in the wilderness are no longer on the forum, mostly due to boredom, from what I can gather. These people are the nuts & bolts (not just nuts) of the forum. People like HopeAK can come in here and share an understanding that can't be gained from just hitting the trail with a backpack a few times a year. How can we, as members, entice some of these individuals to come back and divulge their secrets of the wilderness with us occassionally and still keep their interest sparked?

[mountain mama]

For the record, I would like to state that my inspirations for this topic are mitch.chesney and wildwoman, who don't seem to be here anymore, but have contributed invaluable information to the forum.

[crashdive123]

Just my .02 on the topic. Sometimes folks take a break for a while. In the case of Wild Woman and others that are living off grid in remote locations - they are not on as often as we would sometimes like because they are out doing the things that will keep them safe. Some other folks sometimes get in a spat and get their feelings hurt and go away for a period, or permanently. Others still do not like the direction, albeit often temporary that the forum takes from time to time as it grows and evolves. Life sometimes dictates what direction we head off, and sadly sometimes that direction does not involve computer time with the folks here.

[Sourdough]

How can we, as members, entice some of these individuals to come back and divulge their secrets of the wilderness with us occassionally and still keep their interest sparked?

If they are killed, they can't come back. If you kill their spirit, if you kill their song, they will just go away. They don't get paid, they give freely, sharing their love of the wilderness. However some like Sarge in his thread "The River" is a clear spirit killer, a clear song killer.

As a teacher you would understand the difference between a teacher who is teaching out of a book, or out of Google, about "The Lewis & Clark Expedition" and how that would be threatened if someone from the actual expedition showed up.

It is sad that these forums are the domain of the book learned, and Google learned, who spend so little time with, "Boots in the Field".

I made it clear when I came to the forum, that where as I am 60'something and have no children to pass information forward, and I have had the Gift of living and working in Alaskan wilderness for 40 years, I felt it some responsibility to pass on some lessons learned.

However after threads like "The River" I realize that some seek to discredit and choose to call other members "Hornblower's".

It is just easier to shoulder my pack, and go hiking in the lovely, tranquil wilderness. The forum was never my environment, it was never even a workable teaching medium. I am sad that it did not work. Very sad.

[dolfan87]

If they are killed, they can't come back. If you kill their spirit, if you kill there song, they will just go away. They don't get paid, they give freely, sharing their love of the wilderness. However some like Sarge in his thread "The River" is a clear spirit killer, a clear song killer.

As a teacher you would understand the difference between a teacher who is teaching out of a book, or out of Google, about "The Lewis & Clark Expedition" and how that would be threatened if someone from the actual expedition showed up.

It is sad that these forums are the domain of the book learned, and Google learned, who spend so little time with, "Boots in the Field".

I made it clear when I came to the forum, that where as I am 60'something and have no children to pass information forward, and I have had the Gift of living and working in Alaskan wilderness for 40 years, I felt it some responsibility to pass on some lessons learned.

However after threads like "The River" I realize that some seek to discredit and choose to call other members "Hornblower's".

It is just easier to shoulder my pack, and go hiking in the lovely, tranquil wilderness. The forum was never my environment, it was never even a workable teaching medium. I am sad that it did not work. Very sad.

Hopeak- You can count me as one guy who values you very much on these forums. I always read your threads, and even though I am in a very different environment (southwest desert) the mental process of being out in the wilderness is still the same.

I have a desire to go to Alaska. Not sure when that will happen for me as I am broke, and have two little kids...but when I do make it up there, it would be an honor to meet you. Maybe you could teach this kid a thing or two.

[Sarge47]

Another reason is that some people are "over-sensitive" to another member's method of expressing themselves in their posts, or read things into it that are not there. These folks are oft-times very experienced in the outdoors, but thin-skinned when in a social environment. They are very much at home in the woods, but won't be seen, usually, at very many social functions. The book & film: "Alone in the Wilderness" about Dick P. shows the "Rugged individualistic" mentality.

[mountain mama]

Hopeak, I can't imagine this forum without you. While I do get my "boots in the field" at every opportunity I have, I also gain information from those such as yourself that have vast more knowledge than I do and I depend on that information to take into the field. Because my own father is in Texas and I am here in Idaho, and he doesn't do internet, I am left with this forum as my only resource for knowledge I won't be able to gain elsewhere and try out in the field. PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME TO MY OWN DEVICES! *begging* If I were anywhere near Alaska, I would be seeking you out in person, but again, here I am stuck.

[mountain mama]

I like gryffynklm's signature, "A wise man profits from the wisdom of others."

[Sourdough]

Another reason is that some people are "over-sensitive" to another member's method of expressing themselves in their posts, or read things into it that are not there. These folks are oft-times very experienced in the outdoors, but thin-skinned when in a social environment. They are very much at home in the woods, but won't be seen, usually, at very many social functions. The book & film: "Alone in the Wilderness" about Dick P. shows the "Rugged individualistic" mentality.

Well said, very well said.

[Sourdough]

"Another reason is that some people are "over-sensitive" to another member's method of expressing themselves in their posts, or read things into it that are not there."
Sarge


I will make this my signature !!!!
lol

Remy quoting Sarge in his signature, "Priceless"

[mountain mama]

lol you two (remy & hopeak) are a hoot and a holler! I think I'll add ya to my "River" lol

[Pal334]

Well, Hopeak, I have found your posts, very informative, and even humorous. And on several occassions when I was not careful, I learned "stuff".

Sarge may have hit it right about sensitivity. I have been in NJ (a land of such sensitivity " )for almost 30 years, military,LEO and now corporate security, dealing with people all that time. So my "skin" is a bit thick and occassionally offend without intent.

[Ken]

[oneraindog]

The forum was never my environment, it was never even a workable teaching medium. I am sad that it did not work. Very sad.

is that to say THIS forum hasnt worked??
dont say that. i just got it here, it cant be on the way downhill! besides just in the couple weeks ive been here ive already learned a lot thus proving the viability of this as teaching tool.

[Sourdough]

is that to say THIS forum hasnt worked??
dont say that. i just got it here, it cant be on the way downhill! besides just in the couple weeks ive been here ive already learned a lot thus proving the viability of this as teaching tool.

The Forum is a great "Learning" Tool, you will learn. There is massive skills and knowledge to learn here.

[crashdive123]

Forums are a funny thing. This was the first one I participated in, and quite honestly was a bit skeptical at first. In the time I have spent here I have encountered many individuals of character and many characters. One of the things that I found while looking at other forums (some, not all, and yes they do exist) there were always comments from members stating how much they enjoyed the forum. They, just like the members whom are active here, enjoy their participation and that of others. I have run across comments that reference this forum. Some comments were favorable, others not so much. Where a negative comment was found I looked for the same screen name and avatar here (I guess folks use the same persona in a variety of places). What I usually found was that they usually asked a question or made a statement and apparently didn't like the responsed they got. I suppose it is no different than everyday life. We can challenge ourselves to learn (sometimes teach) or we can surround ourselves with folks that agree with us, will not broaden our horizons, or give realistic feedback. I sure like it here and appreciate all that contribute to this forum.

[Rick]

I don't know how I missed this post but.....It's spring time...nearly summer. People are out doing what we've talked about most of the winter.

Come, go, stay, leave. Does it really matter? Is anyone indispensable? While I value many on here and would not like to see any of them leave, it happens. Friends come into our lives and friends leave. Teachers, students, acquaintances, tutors, all come and go. Value them while we have them and welcome the new ones as they join.

And for the record, knowledge is knowledge no matter where it comes from. Getting information from google is no more certain than someone saying they live year 'round on Hudson Bay and trap beaver with their teeth. Maybe they do, maybe they don't. Reading it in a book doesn't make it any less real, either.

[wareagle69]

For the record, I would like to state that my inspirations for this topic are mitch.chesney and wildwoman, who don't seem to be here anymore, but have contributed invaluable information to the forum.

last i talked with wild woman she was visiting family in germany, i'm sure allot of work awaits her when she gets home, i will talk to her soon, see if i can find out where she stands here and that folks are asking about her, i'm sure she will appreciate the thoughts

[mountain mama]

i sent her an email. not sure if she got it or not.

[Pict]

I think back to when I was a kid and trying to learn as much as I could, there were no forums like this one and I didn't have any adults that took me under their wing to teach me about the bush. Learning came with suffering and a lot of time wasted.

This forum is a great place to tell what you know and learn what you don't. The internet is a strange place though. I've been on several forums where people routinely trash just about everybody and say things that would get you slapped to the ground in real life. This place seems to be relatively free from that kind of behavior.

I don't argue with people in real life, life's too short. I don't argue with people in the bush either. Out there if someone knows what they are doing it quickly becomes apparent and you find yourself either teaching or learning. I really enjoy the cross-pollination that happens in places like this. Mac