The Benefits of Modern Technology
There is just one item in my handbag or rucksac that I share the ultimate 'love hate' relationship with. Everyday I use it, carry it, and I feel either excited or irritated by it. For an inanimate object to play such an important role in your life, not only physically, but also emotionally is one thing, but to go as far as to say that it actually helped to save your life, and that you wrote a book about it would sound like a wild exageration.
Yes, our mobile phone did exactly that. I will never forget the moment of relief to find it had battery power and a small signal, as I pulled it from my frozen rucsac whilst perched high on an Alpine ledge during a ferocious blizzard . Nor will I forget the complete feeling of desperation and sadness when it came time to either accept our fate, and text our last goodbyes to family and friends, or to forgo that opportunity and keep fighting to survive.
This link:
http://www.ioltravel.co.za/article/view/5708108
shows how modern technology enables us to have a conversation from our armchair with people almost anywhere, including at the summit of Everest. Everest is brought yet another step closer to the everyday. A wonderful, yet mixed blessing. The benefits are obvious; the logistical advantage of being able to rely more confidently on clear communication with teams operating in otherwise innaccessible areas, and the chance to bring realtime experiences into an everyday environment to be shared by many.
As a mountain guide the dangers and pitfalls of people relying on mobile communication are also very real. The tendency for a party to be ill prepared, and rely soley on the option to call for backup could lead to people finding they are unable to survive until the backup arrives. Also, we have in many instances become so contactable, that an instant without contact spells disaster.
For me, the idea of setting off on an adventure is to leave your everyday worries behind and have a complete mental break. A neccessary 'time out' zone. It is too tempting to answer that call, read that work message, or just 'check up on everything' if you know it is just a touch of a button away.
Yes, our mobile phone did exactly that. I will never forget the moment of relief to find it had battery power and a small signal, as I pulled it from my frozen rucsac whilst perched high on an Alpine ledge during a ferocious blizzard . Nor will I forget the complete feeling of desperation and sadness when it came time to either accept our fate, and text our last goodbyes to family and friends, or to forgo that opportunity and keep fighting to survive.
This link:
http://www.ioltravel.co.za/article/view/5708108
shows how modern technology enables us to have a conversation from our armchair with people almost anywhere, including at the summit of Everest. Everest is brought yet another step closer to the everyday. A wonderful, yet mixed blessing. The benefits are obvious; the logistical advantage of being able to rely more confidently on clear communication with teams operating in otherwise innaccessible areas, and the chance to bring realtime experiences into an everyday environment to be shared by many.
As a mountain guide the dangers and pitfalls of people relying on mobile communication are also very real. The tendency for a party to be ill prepared, and rely soley on the option to call for backup could lead to people finding they are unable to survive until the backup arrives. Also, we have in many instances become so contactable, that an instant without contact spells disaster.
For me, the idea of setting off on an adventure is to leave your everyday worries behind and have a complete mental break. A neccessary 'time out' zone. It is too tempting to answer that call, read that work message, or just 'check up on everything' if you know it is just a touch of a button away.
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