[puzzlr]

They both have really nice photos. That doesn't happen by accident. I agree that this situation didn't start with social media. Some places get more busy, a few others less as attention wanes. If you really want solitude don't look for ideas online -- it's not hard to find especially mid week. We had the entire West Fork Foss to ourselves on 10/17, normally a very busy place.

[RumiDude]

[Cyclopath]

We just need a law clarifying that I'm the only person allowed in the mountains.

[DIYSteve]

[DIYSteve]

[RumiDude]

[DIYSteve]

OK. I'll take that as a "no, you haven't been to Marmot/Jade since the BP article in 2016." Thanks for playing.

[RumiDude]

[neek]

What will happen over the next few decades, if we don't wipe ourselves out in the meantime, which is also possible, is

• People will continue to gain leisure time. The historical rate will accelerate as automation takes over the service industry and governments are forced to experiment with UBI and other economic strategies.
• Influence of social media will continue to grow as technology improves and the pressure to build a "personal brand" online becomes even greater. The social construct of individual liberty and entitlement will continue to gain traction. "I deserve to see these beautiful places because I'm a good and special person" etc.
• Outdoor equipment will continue to get lighter, faster, more comfortable, better marketed
• Physical health and ability will continue to improve
• Self-driving cars will make it easier and cheaper to get around and will help cities like Seattle build much denser. The world will continue to shrink. A 4-hr drive to Slate Pass won't seem so bad when my car does most of the work and I can kick back with VR goggles on. (Lest you think I'm completely insane, I'll let it take me to Mazama, but I'll do the rest, thank you.)
• Think population in the PNW is bad now? Growth hasn't even begun; this is one of the most desirable locations in the world, and as climate change drives mass migrations, we'll be even more of a target

So, more people will be getting out, and there will be more incentives to visit and advertise the "secret" places. What to do about it? You can sit back and reminisce about the good old days I suppose, and complain about kids these days. Or you can stop hating humanity (I am still working on this fwiw) and figure out how to allow others to non-destructively experience the magic of these special places you've benefited from so much over the years. For sure, the secret places should remain so for as long as possible. I'm all for public shaming of authors who sell their soul by revealing the most sensitive spots, and agree that it can be hard to know where to draw the line. But soon we might not even have to rely on social media for finding these places. Imagine an AI equipped with high-resolution topographic data and aerial imagery that you can just ask to "find a secluded alpine lake I can hike to in a day". People need education more than they need censorship. Camp with a young person and model LNT ethics. Volunteer with organizations doing advocacy and maintenance. Continue policing social media, and hold people accountable. As Rumi pointed out, impact is key. People will go to the mountains. Where will they put their tents? Where will they poop? What views will entice them to trample which paths? People are like ants. They're predictable, and they optimize. They want the biggest bang for the buck--the best view for the least energy expenditure. You need to trick them into taking the boric acid back to their colony. Er, wait, maybe I've taken the analogy too far. You need to help them appreciate your values without being overbearing and turning them off to the ideas. It's not a problem any one of us can solve singlehandedly, but we can still do our small part (as with voting).

[timberghost]

Yea omhk seems to have posts the now over crowded areas.

[coldrain108]

The next step is total quota restrictions EVERYWHERE. Be just like the Enchantments everywhere. Its already like that in most parts of the Sierras, has been for a long time now. Don't even think about getting back country reservations at Yosemite. Mt Rainier is not far behind. I'm all in with ONP going to full Quota everywhere. I personally like it when the parties out there know that the LEO have their contact/Credit Card info in hand and can trace it back to any asshattery that occurs. These days its only a crime if you get caught, so time to get caught. And I'm rooting hard for Mother Nature to wipe out as many roads a possible. Make getting to those places a real endeavor, cause some sweat equity to be paid for the experience. People who earn it tend to be better behaved. What would Thunder Basin or Tuck/Robin lakes be like if it was a 3 day hike just to get there? So So happy that the MFK is gated at Dingford Creek, Williams Lake was a trash heap 15 years ago. Just because the road is blocked to vehicular travel doesn't make it closed to foot traffic. Get out of the car and spend some real quality time in the woods, not just a weekend beer bash for social media ego boosting. I've always (for 35 years now) observed the 12 mile rule - don't expect any solitude if the hike is less than 12 miles. Any lake under 10 miles from the car is going to get swarmed by the weekend warriors. BTW, I'm 57, have a pinned hip, so I'm not coming from an aspect of superman physical fitness. I still get out to where I want to be. I just want it bad enough to take the risk and set aside the time to make it happen. I don't feel that I deserve anything. I like Clint Eastwoods famous line "deserve's got nothing to do with it"

[olderthanIusedtobe]

[Tom]

[rbuzby]

[RumiDude]