Читать книгу Backpacking Arizona. From Deep Canyons to Sky Islands онлайн

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The backpacking trips described in this book are necessarily a reflection of my experience. While I have attempted to present a selection of the best backpack trips in the state, no roomful of Arizona backpackers could ever agree on such a list. You’ll notice right away that the majority of trips are loops. In my opinion, loops are the best backpack trips. Loops eliminate the need for a second vehicle for a car shuttle, and they make the most of your valuable backpacking vacation time. The last thing a backpacker wants to do is spend a day bouncing over dusty roads instead of walking gently through the backcountry. You’ll find only two out-and-back hikes in this book, both through country so unique and beautiful that you’ll not mind seeing the same scenery twice. Of course, there are some great backpack trips that just can’t be done as loops. These trips use trailheads that are as close together as possible, or have commercial shuttle services or public transit available.

Guidebook writers face an unpleasant dilemma. Such books tend to attract large crowds of people to the described areas. On the other hand, without people who have experienced and appreciated the backcountry, wilderness will have no defenders. Long ago I decided that the risks of large invasions are more than offset by the larger voice they create for the defense of wild country. And make no mistake—the forces of development, driven by people who honestly feel that every corner of the planet should be exploited for human use and corporate profit, are relentless. Only an aware citizenry can stand up for places and creatures that cannot speak for themselves.