Please excuse the ravings of an old fella, but the Half Dome discussion has prompted me to wonder how much protection (against our own stupidity) do we actually need or want in the mountains? Do we need big daddy in DC to protect us from all harm during out wilderness outings? Please discuss; go on a rant!
Some examples: the HD cables, cables on the Whitney trail, tons of trail signs at nearly every junction, pine trees defaced by forest identification ("I" for Inyo, "T" for Toiyabe, etc.) markers hacked into the bark (in case we can't see the trail in front of us), duck markers all over the place (which one is correct???).
The original route on the Matterhorn (the one in Switzerland, not the Disneyland version), the Hornli Route, has a big honking line fixed nearly all the way to the summit. It makes the ascent easier, but ha ha, ya still might have to rap in a few spots. Ama Dablam, in Nepal, also has fixed lines up the easiest route; maintained by Sherpas, to help keep the tourist money flowing (is there a parallel in the HD cables situation?).
I'm talking about the lost sense of adventure being replaced by the instant experience syndrome, during which we are safe from all harm...no worries, no sweat...and it's still lots of fun. True confessions: No doubt, if I ever need help, I will press the 911 button on my Spot Messenger, no hesitation.
By the way: I'm all in favor of bear boxes, but for the sake of the bears, not us. We need to protect Ursa from the junk we devour.
