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> How on Earth do you think to go on a multi week ocean kayaking trip and not take tide tables. >> I did not know you can get pretabulated tables. You literal

by fao_ 9y ago

> How on Earth do you think to go on a multi week ocean kayaking trip and not take tide tables. >> I did not know you can get pretabulated tables. You literally removed the part of the quote that answers that.

walrus01 9y ago
That is not an excuse, it's like trying to go on a multi week hike through the back country and not knowing of the existence of topographical/trail maps. Or buying a yacht and not having a set of charts, then holing your hull on a reef and going "oops!" In 2018 ocean kayaking can be dangerous, even with modern aids like gps, satellite phones, satellite based weather, etc. In 1991 you certainly don't just take a fully loaded kayak to kitsilano beach in Vancouver and set off westbound into the straight of Georgia without tide tables and local knowledge unless you are a complete buffoon.
- stereo 9y ago
  People do these things sometimes. “Into the Wild” is really a film about a complete buffoon who dies because he doesn’t take a topographical map.
  - walrus01 9y ago
    yes, essentially. I have no idea why people idolize McCandless. The wilderness is unforgiving and doesn't give a fuck about you...
    - kungtotte 9y ago
      They focus entirely on the tantalising idea of letting go of everything. Being free, following the open road, unfettered by the obligations of modern society. They conveniently gloss over the fact that modern society is also the thing that's keeping them, you know, alive. McCandless would undoubtedly have survived if he'd spent even half a day making realistic preparations. Something as simple as just bringing a map.
    - wwweston 9y ago
      Are there people who idolize McCandless? The journalism I've encountered of him doesn't lend itself to that. I know people people who respect him -- his enthusiasm and commitment and open spirit among other things. That's different. Most of those people are also capable of criticizing him, and in general, recognizing that one can direct criticism and respect at the same target. As well as recognizing that far more experienced, knowledgeably, and conscientious folks than him have made mistakes in the wilderness and paid similarly.

by fao_ 9y ago

walrus01 9y ago

That is not an excuse, it's like trying to go on a multi week hike through the back country and not knowing of the existence of topographical/trail maps. Or buying a yacht and not having a set of charts, then holing your hull on a reef and going "oops!" In 2018 ocean kayaking can be dangerous, even with modern aids like gps, satellite phones, satellite based weather, etc. In 1991 you certainly don't just take a fully loaded kayak to kitsilano beach in Vancouver and set off westbound into the straight of Georgia without tide tables and local knowledge unless you are a complete buffoon.

stereo 9y ago
People do these things sometimes. “Into the Wild” is really a film about a complete buffoon who dies because he doesn’t take a topographical map.
- walrus01 9y ago
  yes, essentially. I have no idea why people idolize McCandless. The wilderness is unforgiving and doesn't give a fuck about you...
  - kungtotte 9y ago
    They focus entirely on the tantalising idea of letting go of everything. Being free, following the open road, unfettered by the obligations of modern society. They conveniently gloss over the fact that modern society is also the thing that's keeping them, you know, alive. McCandless would undoubtedly have survived if he'd spent even half a day making realistic preparations. Something as simple as just bringing a map.
  - wwweston 9y ago
    Are there people who idolize McCandless? The journalism I've encountered of him doesn't lend itself to that. I know people people who respect him -- his enthusiasm and commitment and open spirit among other things. That's different. Most of those people are also capable of criticizing him, and in general, recognizing that one can direct criticism and respect at the same target. As well as recognizing that far more experienced, knowledgeably, and conscientious folks than him have made mistakes in the wilderness and paid similarly.