Sometimes it’s the none outdoors related stuff that gets me thinking about the outdoors, if that makes sense.
Take this post by the photographer Chase Jarvis “FOR THE LOVE OF PHOTOGRAPHY”. In it he talks about how a lot of photographers seem to get lost in talking about the gear that they use and asks “But where is your love of pictures?” and then goes on to ask some questions that challenge his fellow photographers to prove that they still “love” taking photos.
This got me thinking photographers are not the only ones that love talking gear, gadgets etc. We too in the outdoors world are very much guilty of this. Whenever we bump into fellow hikers,backpackers etc the conversation very quickly turns to gear talk.
Now I’m as guilty as the next person of this gear talk fever. I think the stove addiction is testament to it. But I am aware of it on this blog, and try and balance the gear and gadget talk out with other hopefully interesting stuff. I may not be successful in you the readers eyes but I try, or is that I’m trying?
Either way sometimes I feel we spend too much time pondering the merits of gear, obsessing about grams and arguing the toss over to go lightweight or not with others. When we should be looking at maps and planning our next trip or looking at what we have locally and getting out to enjoy that.
It’s the outdoors we love, the gear is just that gear. When we look back it’s the views and the experience we remember most. Sometimes I think we are in danger of forgetting that, and we need to remind ourselves from time to time.
So very true Darren and I am probably as, or more, guilty than anyone else (more so some would say
), But I do get out into the outdoors every day and I do like to think that some of my, often hard won (and often uncomfortable or downright painful) experience, when passed on may help someone else avoid spending cash or suffering.
But yes I do obsess over the latest, lightest or funkiest bit of kit.
Now, where did I just put that new Primus Eta Spider? (!!! LOL) I kid you not.
Darren …
… did you say it’s only gear
… and does that include stoves!
One of my mate’s tips on how to annoy a photographer, just say: “that’s a nice photograph…you must have a good camera.”
After half a year, I’m still only at p33 of Barthes’ “Camera Lucida”. It’s worth a read. The theory and practice of theory is useful. Although I’m not getting out on the hills, the theory of lightweight hiking is still with me. I have a good small torch on my keyfob, gps and useful things on my mobile, and a battery charger in my normal urban pack.
Same with other theories, eg ‘reflection on practice, reflection in practice, and whatever-the-other-ones-are-from-Schon” .
If it’s any comfort, being a gearhead is no new thing. Nessmuk (George W. Sears, 1821-1890), in his essay Woodcraft and Camping goes into some depth about his own kit and the difficulty involved in finding a hatchet that was just right.
I like to hear about and read about gear, but not from people who are ALWAYS buying new stuff. How many years does it take these chaps to get it right, find the gear and tools you are comfortable with that work well.
Bushcraft/woodscraft has become an industry where as once it was a skill.