|
Post by cweston on May 19, 2020 10:22:37 GMT -8
As many of you know, I have sabbatical this coming fall. I was hoping to spend a significant portion of that time backpacking, around one or more "work retreats" away from home. Plus, of course, I had summer hiking plans as well. This is something I've been anticipating for years.
But I'm so discouraged with how poorly we are doing at social distancing, etc. I fear that things could be far worse by September than they are now, especially in the more sparsely-populated areas where the first wave has barely even started.
I know, first-world problems. But this is a pretty deep disappointment to me. My last sabbatical was 12 years ago, and I almost surely won't have another one before I retire. (Hell, I could be lucky to keep my job, depending on how things go.)
A high level of time flexibility is one of the major perks of academic work, so I would never complain about that overall, but, on the flip side, the time that is available to me is not up to me: I never have the option time off during the times classes are in session.
|
|
|
Post by trinity on May 19, 2020 10:49:51 GMT -8
That really sucks, cweston . I have a number of friends who have interrupted or canceled sabbaticals this year, I know how much planning and dreaming go into this, so I can only imagine how disheartening this must be. I hope you're able to either postpone your sabbatical until next year or find some way of using your time in a way that is renewing, even if not what you had in mind.
|
|
|
Post by cweston on May 19, 2020 11:11:11 GMT -8
Hopefully I'm just over-reacting, but the last week or so has been terribly discouraging, IMHO, nationwide. I honestly think that the majority of people will have basically given up on any attempt at social distancing or "flattening the curve" by fall. Because those efforts are essentially useless if you don't have a high level of society-wide buy-in.
|
|
|
Post by trinity on May 19, 2020 11:21:54 GMT -8
I don't blame you for feeling discouraged. I keep hearing talk about a vaccine, but my guess is that if EVERYONE wore masks while in public, combined with social distancing, it would probably be nearly as effective as a vaccine in slowing the spread of the virus. But that would require changed behavior on our part, so it is a non-starter.
FWIW, I'm still planning my June trip to the Sangres. If it looks like Colorado isn't doable, I'll go to the Pecos. If NM isn't an option, maybe I'll look into west Texas (though it will be very hot). If that doesn't work, I guess I'll stay home and drink heavily. I am planning my trip, but mentally preparing for disappointment.
|
|
zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,879
|
Post by zeke on May 19, 2020 11:53:51 GMT -8
It really only takes an 80% compliance for masks to work for the entire population.
|
|
|
Post by cweston on May 19, 2020 12:08:57 GMT -8
It really only takes an 80% compliance for masks to work for the entire population. That sounds about right. Maybe things are different in the more populous cities, but I doubt that anywhere in flyover country is even approaching 80% mask use.
|
|
zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,879
|
Post by zeke on May 19, 2020 12:21:12 GMT -8
I'm happy most days to encounter 50%
|
|
|
Post by bradmacmt on May 19, 2020 14:27:59 GMT -8
I see no reason not to backpack. None. Unless of course a given area is closed. But I don't BP in National Parks, so that's not a concern for me.
|
|
driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,974
|
Post by driftwoody on May 19, 2020 15:05:21 GMT -8
I see no reason not to backpack. None. Unless of course a given area is closed. But I don't BP in National Parks, so that's not a concern for me. My backpacking plans were to a remote area in Shawnee National Forest (Southern Illinois, a 5 hour drive) but that travel was frowned upon here due to the possibility of needing services should my fairly new car or aging body have some kind of breakdown. I almost pulled the trigger on that trip 10 days ago, but couldn't bring myself to do it. Now that window has pretty much closed, as I'm not to keen on warmer buggy weather. I'm working full time from home and have been doing a lot of dayhikes on the weekends in the forest preserves southwest of Chicago, which has been quite enjoyable with some nice weather and spring flowers.
|
|
|
Post by cweston on May 19, 2020 15:58:07 GMT -8
I see no reason not to backpack. None. Unless of course a given area is closed. But I don't BP in National Parks, so that's not a concern for me. Right--the actual backpacking part (which I also rarely do in National Parks) is not my concern at all. Part of the issue for me is elevation: all of the places within a day's drive of me (that I'd actually backpack in the summer) are at high elevation...which means a couple days in the front country acclimitizing. That's usually done at a car campground, but maybe I need to adjust and do some primitive camping in those couple days. No use of a communal outhouse, etc. I also worry about being an unwelcome out-of-state visitor. I've heard some reports about vandalism to out-of-state vehicles, etc.
|
|
|
Post by hikerjer on May 19, 2020 19:47:20 GMT -8
the last week or so has been terribly discouraging, IMHO, nationwide. I honestly think that the majority of people will have basically given up on any attempt at social distancing or "flattening the curve" by fall. Because those efforts are essentially useless if you don't have a high level of society-wide buy-in. Exactly my thoughts. The whole cavalier attitude about social distancing, masks, etc., is extremely discouraging. I really, really hope we're wrong, but I feel we're headed for an even higher spike of infections and deaths in the late summer or early fall just as school should be starting if it does. It that occurs, then I fear the government will have to step in with extreme draconian measures to prevent the spread thereby doing damage to our political and social freedoms that we may never recover from. To me it'a very real threat even now. All we can do is wait and hope and lay low. In the meantime, I'm lucky that I live within an hour of some of the best hiking/backpacking in the country so traveling and acclimating are not really an issue. I do hope to get in some short backpacks later this summer in some fairly isolated areas. I know where to go where I won't likely run into people so it should be OK. Hope something works out for you cweston. First world problems, maybe, but still the pits. Of course it's pretty easy for me to sit here and self righteously complain about reopening businesses and not following social distancing since I'm in a position where the virus has not really affected me much other than cramping my style a bit. It's not like my livelihood is threatened and fortunately my family has all been minimally impacted by this whole pandemic so I had better watch my holier-than- thou words. I do feel for those who are hurting because of lost jobs, income and revenue. There really is no easy answer on this one that I can see.
|
|
|
Post by bradmacmt on May 20, 2020 5:01:25 GMT -8
Right--the actual backpacking part (which I also rarely do in National Parks) is not my concern at all. Part of the issue for me is elevation: all of the places within a day's drive of me (that I'd actually backpack in the summer) are at high elevation...which means a couple days in the front country acclimitizing. That's usually done at a car campground, but maybe I need to adjust and do some primitive camping in those couple days. No use of a communal outhouse, etc. I also worry about being an unwelcome out-of-state visitor. I've heard some reports about vandalism to out-of-state vehicles, etc. Well, I'm certain you'll be welcome in Montana. Also, I think it's a fairly simple matter to pack your own food in a big cooler, pump your own gas, and generally stay out of others way. That's no different than what's been happening here to this point.
|
|
marmotstew
Trail Wise!
Posts: 2,374
Member is Online
|
Post by marmotstew on May 20, 2020 5:23:08 GMT -8
For sure. If the roads are open.
You could easily find primitive campgrounds in Colorado or most states in the Rockies. Yeah just bring a giant cooler for beer and food. Car camp it. Then find a trail head to back pack. I say go for it. Just don’t lick anything. You’d only get your car trashed if you have Raiders stickers on it.
|
|
jazzmom
Trail Wise!
a.k.a. TigerFan
Posts: 3,059
|
Post by jazzmom on May 20, 2020 5:26:25 GMT -8
:( A couple of thoughts though I can imagine how disappointing it must be. I'm being forced to take a week of vacation time next week from work and that's annoying enough. I know you'd planned a lot for this sabbatical. Nevertheless... I wouldn't focus too much on news images about the lack of masks/social distancing. Yes, there are highly visible bad pockets right now but in a month or two, I think we'll starting seeing clearer data (as in undeniable) about whether masking works or not. Ultimately, I think most people are scared, in that mostly selfish "I don't want to get sick" way, and will follow suit if masking is working. It's my experience that many people tend to prefer anecdotal data... we need to get to some social threshold before they're convinced. In the same way that we're starting to hear the stories from nursing homes that have successfully controlled the spread of COVID and understanding the practices that are working, I think we will see the same from businesses/companies that are starting to reopen now. Yes, there will be a lot of bad stories at first (e.g. the meatpacking plants) but the good ones will eventually be told. Unfortunately, "success" happens only after it's outlasted all the failures. It takes time. All in all, I wouldn't write off the fall completely. I think it's possible. And if conditions haven't improved or have gotten worse, it's got to at least be better than actively being on a college campus as they all try to start the fall semester in person.
|
|
Hungry Jack
Trail Wise!
Living and dying in 3/4 time...
Posts: 3,809
|
Post by Hungry Jack on May 20, 2020 5:40:46 GMT -8
I see no reason not to backpack. None. Unless of course a given area is closed. But I don't BP in National Parks, so that's not a concern for me. I second this. Backpacking is nearly perfect for social distancing, especially in less popular areas (e.g. most NF, BLM areas)
|
|