I recently watched a documentary on Netflix called Into the Cold. It was about a man’s quest to reach the North Pole before the sea ice had melted and was no longer available to trek across. It was a tough journey with a lot of cold weather, which he narrated. For example, he showed having to thaw out his sleeping bag each night before going to bed. Brrr!!

He reflected on past adventurers that didn’t have access to the kind of technological advances he did. Adventurers like William Parry that were exploring the North Pole almost 200 years ago (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Parry_(explorer)) did it with heavy gear and no safety net of satellite communication or GPS.

I enjoy spending time outdoors and have often thought about the major technological advances in gear that I now benefit from. REI is one of my favorite stores. I love going and looking at all the innovations in clothing, portable power, water purification systems, lightweight stoves, backpacks and tents. Things we take for granted now have only become common in the last 40 years. Gore-Tex was invented in 1969 and is affordable thanks to advances in manufacturing. Synthetics development and manufacturing techniques have led to major improvements in footwear, backpacks, raincoats, and other clothing that makes outdoor exploring a lot more enjoyable. 

It’s ironic. I get excited about these technical advances and technology that makes outdoor adventure more accessible and more comfortable. But, where I’m headed is the exact opposite of technology; it’s nature. It’s a chance for me to get away from technology – the computer, phone, and internet. But, I might not take those breaks if I didn’t have easy access to good gear. And that’s typical with technology; some of the problems technology creates it also helps solve. 

I hope you get a chance today to get outside and enjoy a simple Sunday on a beautiful solstice weekend. 

Brian