Circumstances changing perspective

**Gary** · 12-11-2014, 03:29 AM

Okay I am on a night shift and am bored so I am going to bring something up that I have always found interesting. I was backpacking for several days as a teenager with a group of other teenagers and 2 adult guides. A couple of days in we had made a basecamp and set out for a dayhike to a glacial lake. We got there and had an early lunch. The far side of the lake was the base of a mountain and at the end of the lake there as a long slope of snow that some of us were sliding down.
After lunch the guides wanted to hike up the left side of the mountain, along the back ridge and come back the right side to the lake, a hike of several hours, then back to base camp. 4 of us wanted to hang out at the lake so the 2 guides took the rest of the group up the mountain and would return to the lake later (thinking back this seems like a big mistake by the guides to leave some hikers alone but that's another story!) Anyhow, after an hour or so the guy and two girls I was with decided that they wanted to hike up the opposite way and meet up with the group along the ridge. I thought this was a bad idea but I wasn't staying by myslef so I went along. Unfortunately we had to start by going up a steep slope of scree. The other 3 were very slight and I was a bigger kid and I kept slipping down and eventually gave up. I said I would just wait at the lake by myself. This was a beautiful area, the lake was gorgeous and the mountain view stunning. Time seemd to drag when by myself and after a few hours I started thinking they might not make it back. I started looking around for where I could sleep, about wild animals etc. Suddenly this area didn't look so beautiful anymore. It looked dark and intimidating. I had a daypack with me but no survival gear so to speak (wasn't in to the whole survival thing in the mid 80's). They eventually came back after about 5 hours but it was amazing how my perspective of the beauty of the area changed so much as I started to fear I may be alone for longer than I wanted. I had no idea how to get back to basecamp etc.

This happened again once as I was hiking alone and lost the trail. When I doubled back I couldn't pick up the trail at first. I actually stopped and experienced the forest suddenly feeling like it was closing in and the natural beaty of the place draining away. I was much better prepared this time and picked up the trail again after 20 minutes or so. Still it was a weird feeling how something so beautiful one moment when you think you know where you are going can look so different when you thing that you are lost.

Sorry for the long winded post. Just the ramblings of a bored Millwright at work (I guess I could go find something to do but browsing these forums is a little more entertaining!)
Cheers!
Gary

**silverjack100** · 12-11-2014, 04:12 AM

Very interesting to hear your experience in this matter. The closest I ever came to that would be losing the trail when me and a buddy were hiking up to some ice caves. The natural beauty of the area definitely begins to lose priority in your thoughts when you start thinking about other things like getting lost, injuries, etc. It definitely helps to keep positive!

**Rick** · 12-11-2014, 07:36 AM

Our sensory input is so great that we can only process so much data. We only see two things. That which we are looking for and that which presents a danger to us. Our perception changes depending on which of those two things we are viewing. Our body adapts to that perception by releasing the appropriate chemicals. So our perception is a whole body experience. Not surprised that you said the woods seemed to close in on you. Fear is an autonomic response. We have little control over when it engages or what chemicals are released at what quantities. You could just as easily have had that same experience when everyone was in camp if you sensed some type of danger such as the potential for an animal encounter. Your perception about perception is a valid perception.

Good post!

**LowKey** · 12-11-2014, 09:04 PM

I used to get that closing in feeling as a kid if I misjudged dusk and ended up going through one certain field on the way home. Even though the trail was well worn, it always sounded like something was in the tall grass or in the bushes along the stonewall, and the trees always creeked in the wind. Just that one field though. It would raise the hair on the back of your neck.

**hunter63** · 12-11-2014, 10:36 PM

I find that when I'm in the open....I can't wait to get back in the trees.....
But when I'm in the trees....I watch for an open spot.....LOL...

Grass is always greener?.......

**Tokwan** · 12-11-2014, 11:40 PM

It is just your senses that start to develop into concern. Different people have different concerns. Some are ok in small tight spaces and some are okay to be in the dark, not all. You just need to get used to it. I was easily scared when I was a teenager but I overcame that. I go out and just do it..and in the long run, I overcame the uneasy feeling. That is why I solo camp. I was afraid of what is in the water underneath me, and that is why I kayak. Now I am quite comfortable wherever I am...its what we call...getting used to the conditions..or simply..."conditioning"....

**natertot** · 12-12-2014, 04:37 AM

"Conditioning" as you put it maybe part of it. I call it experience. The more you learn and know about something, the more comfortable you are in that situation. You know from experience what to really be scared of and what is not a big deal.

Rick is correct that we have little control over how our bodies induce chemicalbs. It is imperative to be aware of our bodies doing it though. If the situation permits, sit for a few minutes and regain factual thoughts. Many lost people make the situation worse by allowing things induce panic. Fear is good, panic is not.

**Phaedrus** · 12-12-2014, 05:56 AM

The OP makes a good point- beauty is relative. A lake looks serene and tranquil til your boat springs a leak, then it doesn't seem to inviting! Same for the woods.

**hunter63** · 12-12-2014, 01:35 PM

Big water still bothers me...I'm a river guy.....

**LowKey** · 12-12-2014, 11:40 PM

Or a little ice fishing:

**TXyakr** · 12-13-2014, 12:09 AM

Great story Gary. I enjoy hearing people's life experiences like yours.

I was taught that it is best to have a minimum of 3 people on a trip so that if one is injured the second can stay with them while the 3rd goes for help. My wife gets very nervous when I go solo, even with good communications electronics, because they fail more often than humans do in harsh environments.

Edit: When my father was young and inexperienced he and a colleague were on a research trip up a small amazonian river when the canoe got pinned against a log on some rapids and tipped, dumping everything exempt the ammo box with research papers (which actually was tied down). They lost their firearms, machetes, paddles, food, shelter, bedding, extra apparel etc. But did save the canoe. So they broke down sapling trees and poled their way down the river for over 3 days eating only tiny wild bananas. (hands were completely raw from tree poles) Finally they found some miners who gave them some rice and beans to eat, and minimal gear which allowed them make it to civilization. A few decades later when I was born he had learned a lot and passed it on to me.