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Solitude in Nature
Going to High Country for strength and renewal has a long historyPage 1 - Lone backpacker has a responsibility to be carefulPage 2 - Retreating to Wilderness has a long History |
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Looking back at the events of this last year, it is pretty easy to say that the backpacking alone to the mountains and witnessing those majestic wilderness days and nights is right there at the top for me. |
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I felt stronger and more self sufficient after all of it - by carrying all that I needed on my back, and having the strength to deal with the possiblity of a nightime Grizzly visitor. Morning is always great, but you don't quite understand the gloriousness of dawn until after a night alone in Grizzly territory. The way I see it the Western nature of individualism is what backpacking alone is all about. Yet going up to the mountains for strength and renewal has a history that goes back further than the history of the West. I remember a story from the New Testament of a trip to an exceedingly high mountain where angels appeared, and of another of withdrawing into the wilderness to pray. (Matt.4[8],Luke.5[16]) I am not truly alone up there though, since I take my two dogs with me, border collies who have gone wilderness backpacking with me since they were puppies. The definition of kindred spirits is us three up there, spending days exploring, then wandering back into camp in the evenings dog-tired and after a good dinner sleeping with a sound and satisified peace beneath the Whitebark Pines. One usually comes back from the wilderness with a greater passion for their normal life, and with an increased affection for the people in it. When I get back I can't wait for Saturday Night at the local Country Dancehall, where I will twostep with and twirl as many sweet and smiling pretty ladies as I can in one evening. Happiness like that is only known after having one's heart recharged by the beauty and solitude of High Country. Previous Page --> Lone backpacker has a responsiblility to be careful |
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| Page 1 - Lone backpacker has a responsibility to be careful
Page 2 - Retreating to Wilderness has a long History |
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