Like everything else about us, camping has been altered by technology. Ranger Pam Tripp surveys the history of roughing it…
In the early days, hikers discovered the desert using a keen sense of direction, a good memory, and plenty of luck. They took a low-tech approach to exploring their environment. Today, campers and hikers rely on expensive and sometimes complicated equipment to enjoy the great outdoors. Let’s take a brief look and compare old and new equipment and technologies. In the early days path finding, communication, and camping were done with a map and compass, reflecting mirrors and flashlight, and oil cloth or heavy canvas tent. Today, many of use GPS, two-way radios or cell phones, and lightweight, nylon tents. Even picture taking has in many cases switched from 35 mm or digital cameras to our trusty cell phone cameras. The way we explore the desert has changed over the years, but one thing remains constant—our appreciation for this wonderful place called Joshua Tree National Park.
ROUGHING IT IN THE NATIONAL PARK
