No offense - everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I just don't buy your notion that one has to get away from the evils of technology & society and venture out into the wilderness naked and alone.

Technologies exist to easily increase comfort and dramatically reduce risk without damaging the experience.

Modern composite-skinned canoes allow us to travel on waterways and carry canoes with relative ease.

Magnetic compasses provide direction and assist with navigation.

Modern maps provide an amazing amount of information the area.

Polyester & Nylon flies & tents provide shelter from rain & biting insects.

Synthetic insulation provides light weight sleeping bags that help keep us warm at night.

Filters provide water that is safe to drink.

A GPS can guide the weak and confused back to safety.

If something far short of the worst happens a PLB will bring help.

I choose not to face nature naked and at her mercy. Rather, I come EQUIPPED TO SURVIVE.

Sorry, had to do the commercial there, but isn't that the entire point of this web site??? Isn't that kind of like sitting in Wrigley Field watching the Cubs (win or lose) and saying "I hate baseball"???? If you hate baseball, why even be there??