Are you an outdoor snob?

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with complex hierarchies, obscure heroes and incomprehensible jargon is the outdoor community more intimidating than it should be

Many years ago before the view of the camp was a real and constant threat in my life, I was through and through a city girl. I had never slept under the stars, never bathed in a lake and never answered the reputation of nature in, uh, nature.

During this time of high heels and expensive meals, I had a conversation with an outdoor friend of mine before his three-piece challenge. Mike (let's call him) was looking for a driver and noticed that "most climbers rely on their friends when transported".

he twisted his eyes. "We call them 'rock friends'," he said with an arrogant smile.

I didn't know what a rock was back then, but I knew his comment was pejorative. However, it didn't matter to me; Whatever a cliff friend was, I was not one of them.

Five years later I make things like Trekking a glacier at 5,000 m (16,400 feet) on the Vulkan Cotopaxi or climb the Nevis Peak without a guide.

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Are you an outdoor snob?

In the three battlements I haven't chauffeured Peter yet, but as far as Outdoor is concerned, I am definitely the less initiated. Yes, I know the difference between a couloir and a coloir, but when I recently read Touching The Void, I was always leafy.

My status as not entirely newcomer, certainly no professional offers a comfortable starting point to observe the outdoor community. The majority of the people there are incredibly friendly and inviting, but there is a considerable minority (15%?) That I best avoid. This faction is tuned towards newcomers, gives off the equipment and very loudly about what it is to make nature in the "right" way.

When my friend Mike prepared for Nepal, for example, I noticed that I had never heard of his jacket brand.

he shrugged with his shoulders. "You wouldn't have that. The die -hard mountain guides."

unnecessarily mention that Mike is an outdoor snob. He and his same avoid The North Face, because apparently no natural boy with self -esteem would be seen dead if he wears it. No. It is much more impressive, with a brand that nobody has heard of yet falling from a mountain.

alt = “Kia in the Dolomites wears The North Face”> Atlas & Boots kia in the Dolomites wears The North Face

outdoor snobs often speak technical jargon ("beta spray", "pink flame") and feel a special malfunction if newcomers are overwhelmed.

It is the same snobism that complains about the wild effect. I worship the outside magazine, but was discouraged when I read a list in his December 2015 edition that wanted trends, tools and irritation, including "the effects of game and a walk in the woods on trailer traffic".

that a publication that is intended to promote the occupation with nature, would scare away young enthusiasts was absolutely disappointing.

I accept that dangers and annoyances come from newcomers. They can be poorly prepared what endangers them and others. Spring-eating motorhomes trampling exactly what their owners love, while the ignorance of the outdoor label creates problems for other enthusiasts and the environment-but education and not exclusion is the answer.

alt = “Wild, the film, was held responsible for the increase in trail traffic”> PR-Bild Wild actress Reese Witherspoon was held responsible for the increase in trail traffic

The relevant question is not: "How do we discourage newcomers?" But "how can we encourage newcomers to get involved in responsibility?" It is true that national parks, especially in the United States, are increasingly being burdened, but this can be mastered across tourism limits (which in my opinion is easier said than done).

In a contribution about diversity in nature, I listed a number of advantages that can be achieved by dealing with nature. To say that these advantages of a small (normally privileged) group of people should be reserved for people who would not be seen dead in The North Face is Snobism in its worst form.

Some call it the "Bro-Izieding of Nature", but I don't think that connecting boys and surf brothers are the root of the problem. I think it is closer to the community: with the ultra-learned climbers, hikers and self-proclaimed arbitrators of the outdoor industry.

Logically, we need more than a cabal of hay -sized experts to lead nature through difficult times. We need new waves of enthusiasts who actively work for the protection and preservation of nature and wilderness. The more people invest in nature, the more strength we have to make changes.

So let's be clear: you do not need a closet to be crowded with ice cream pimples, wetsuits and bivouac bags like Peter. A feeling of awareness will do good. That and a few solid boots.

Come out. It's beautiful here.

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partly to defy the outdoor snob among us, we recommend wandering the best-selling memoirs that Cheryl Strayed's impulsive decision show, more than 1,000 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail.

main picture: Aleksandr Grechanyuk/Shutterstock 
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