Unmarked Passes - How much info online, is too much?

[perfectlydark]

All that aside personally im.kind of relieved to see some members here are like minded (eg gps, kb, darrenm). Bushwalking isnt climbing mt everest (although one could argue anyone can do that these days) its a simple pleasurable activity that anyone from all ages and fitness levels can partake in, at a suitable level. No need to act like its a special secret or exclusive..personally im happy to tell anyone of any awesome spots ive found (obviously if sensative maybe not, actually I never venture in those areas anyway) lets all just have a big hug and enjoy a common interest shall we?

[GPSGuided]

...lets all just have a big hug and enjoy a common interest shall we?

+1

[tom_brennan]

The impression I get from reading some of the posts is that more information should be publicly available for bushwalkers on the web, particularly to less known or "secret" areas.

I don't subscribe to this view. There is already a lot of information available, both on the web and in bushwalking books and guides. In addition to these, there are a lot of club journals at places like the State Library which have even more information. By the time you have made full use of all of this, you should be more than capable of doing exploratory bushwalking, and discovering places for yourself.

I have published track notes to over 50 bushwalks and over 50 canyons. Quite a number of these are somewhat remote or off track. I choose not to make other information public, for reasons that I gave in an earlier post.
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=15269#p203424

Some other views...

Bushwalk.com
"Avoid posting detailed information on accessing sensitive areas without recognised tracks to public topics, but rather use private messages, email, or other non-public means to communicate such information instead. Feel free to ask questions about such areas publicly, so long as the post includes a reminder of this rule to get answers privately only."

NPWS on canyons
" Don't publicise 'new' canyons or routes, particularly those in wilderness areas, to preserve opportunities for discovery and to minimise environmental impacts."

And to steal a quote from the "other" Dave Noble (the Wollemi Pine discoverer):
"Remember there are no secret canyons, they are all there waiting to be discovered."

[perfectlydark]

Fair points. I guess what my position Is not so much to activly publish as much material as possible, but rather avoid the "closed gate" mentality of assuming noone else needs to know. If someone asks about it and is curious I think it would be selfish to withhold information.
I think we are all in agreement on sensative areas though

[GPSGuided]

I think we are all in agreement on sensative areas though

+1

Another issue. If everything are all released on the Internet, what will bushwalk authors write about? Who will buy those books? Knowledge can be monetized, but on what basis? Guess preserving knowledge in a club is not too different from this angle.

[Nuts]

Let's face it, if all maps and gps were removed from parks the first explorers would still start swapping info on what they found and easy ways to do the same. Yet it really is a pretty odd, perhaps de-structive human condition. Even seeking 'wilderness' we gravitate towards 'goals'. Perhaps not seeing the woods for the trees with maps, blogs, names, points.

I think of our most popular parks, Iv'e had this discussion with others, there is no real benefit (conservation wise) to have people stroll far from a carpark. As far as majority support for such areas this is where it comes from, the useful experience isn't really happening far from a car. And they aren't spending money (which also generates support) once they head bush. The reasons for even 'wanting' to share info seem pretty vague

With that in mind (the bush IS better off without us)= social, dilemma, not much more?

Accusations of being 'selfish'? the term doesn't seem appropriate. Surely it's equally selfish to diminish the wilderness experience by laying it out and making things easier for the next person. There will be nothing left to 'explore'. On some popular routes the impact will be inevitable but to a certain extent controlled. Aside from them there isn't a lot positive to be gained from documenting the wildest or maybe any untracked area or feature imo.

[tom_brennan]

Fair points. I guess what my position Is not so much to activly publish as much material as possible, but rather avoid the "closed gate" mentality of assuming noone else needs to know. If someone asks about it and is curious I think it would be selfish to withhold information.

If I thought someone really needed to know, maybe I'd publish it

[GPSGuided]

If I thought someone really needed to know, maybe I'd publish it

You under-estimated the desire for knowledge by the masses!

[Lotsafreshair]

As for the talk I often hear about new members of clubs not being privy to secret spots until they have earned stripes etc.....controlling wank and ego IMO.

Yeah, that doesn't seem right. Where's, 'let's try and make people feel welcome and part of a community', in that?

Not sure how a club could expect to grow with an attitude like that. Sad.

[Lotsafreshair]

Hello. Some of you in this thread may be aware that a couple of nights ago some questions and comments were directed at me that led to the thread being edited by a Moderator. I have chosen to respond and answer all the questions and address their concerns with the author by PM. If you were a part of that original thread and feel that you need answers to those same questions, I am happy to PM you my response also. Please let me know by PM. Thanks.