“The farther one gets into the wilderness, the greater is the attraction of its lonely freedom.”
Footbridge on trek from Sigchos to Chugchilan - Ecuador
There is a presence of mine that is thrust upon us whenever we are exploring the wilderness alone. As children many of us experienced a fear of the dark, a heightened sense of worry that filled the mind when our bedroom lights were shut off at night. That very instinct is the same one that kept our ancestors safe and fed for all the generations that preceded us. It’s as if humans are programmed with a six sense of survival, a sense that heightens our perception of the world around us. It’s probable that that skill was obtained out of a healthy fear of the unknown but I would venture to guess that it has also been honed by generations of hunters learning how to spot, stalk and pattern wild game.
Yampa River - Colorado
Whether it be lacing up your hiking boots, making camp coffee, or reading your book around the fire after a hard day's work, there is an awareness and connectivity that permeates your experience. It’s not something you choose to turn on or off but rather a constant humming in the background triggered by circumstance.
Even the quietest noises and tiniest movements are perceived at a heightened frequency. I believe we are programmed with a primal understanding that these external stimuli could mean life or death, of course the modern day version of these triggers is rarely if ever that dramatic.
There is an education required in gaining the skill of finding animals in nature but I think each one of us possesses this six sense of survival.
For our ancestors this “sense” manifested in life often if not multiple times daily. To some this ability may seem unnecessary, to others scary and intriguing. What I find most fascinating is how quickly we can reconnect with our own ability to survive.
We live in an era where one can wake up on a memory foam mattress and on that same day fall asleep 10+ miles from civilization. An experience I don't think we're fully programmed to handle however it is at our fingertips if we so choose.
Banos - Ecuador
Having once lived in the most popular city in the world I know there are humans who questioned why anyone would do this. Having done it myself I question anyone who wouldn’t. Our modern-day comforts have also become our modern-day impediments, the things that bring joy such as cell phones and fancy cars also induce anxiety. How will we ever achieve what others are already so successful at?
When you take the time to stoke the primal flame, something inside of you recognizes that this is what you are built for.
Living in an era where we can both enjoy modernity and still experience our primitive roots is one of our most fortunate unrealised gifts. Today one can purchase all the items necessary to stay warm, dry, fed, and in touch with loved ones while exploring the wilderness that was so brilliantly preserved for that exact reason.
With that notion we should all take a moment to thank those who made that wise decision so many years ago and thank those who continue to preserve it in our modern era.
To Teddy Roosevelt, the National Forest Service, the National Parks Service, our state parks departments and our local fish and game agencies I bow down to you.
Laguna de Quilotoa - Ecuador
Read more about the Great American Outdoors Act Here