Wilderness Ethics: Preserving the Spirit of Wildness, Special Edition, with an Appreciation of Guy Waterman - Softcover

Waterman, Guy; Waterman, Laura

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0881502561 ISBN 13: 9780881502565

Publisher: Countryman Press, 1992

Synopsis

In February 2000 Guy Waterman died in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. In recognition of the renewed interest in his life and work, The Countryman Press is proud to reissue this classic text, with a new appreciation of her late husband by Laura Waterman.

In this environmental call to action, Laura and Guy Waterman look beyond preserving the ecology of the backcountry to focus on what they call its spiritual dimension--its fragile, untamed wildness. "Without some management, wildness cannot survive the number of people who seek to enjoy it," they write. "But with too much management, or the wrong kind, we can destroy the spiritual component of wildness in our zeal to preserve its physical side." Trailside huts and lodges, large groups seeking "wilderness experiences," federal and state regulations, and technology such as radios, cell phones, global positioning devices, and emergency helicopters, all have an impact on our experience. With humor and insight, the Watermans explore these difficult wilderness management issues. They ask us to evaluate the impact that even "environmentally conscious" values have on the wilderness experience, and to ask the question: What are we trying to preserve?

About this title

About the Authors

Wilderness Ethics was Guy Waterman’s most determined and philosophical statement. He died in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

Laura Waterman is co-author of several books with her husband, Guy. She lives near their original homestead in Vermont.

Reviews

These complementary works by the Watermans, dedicated New England hikers and climbers, address the paradox that those who enjoy the wilderness most can be its most dangerous destroyers. When recreationists are few, equipment simple, and wild areas inaccessible, there is little impact on the physical ability of the land to renew itself or on the intangible experience of wildness. But the growth of backwoods recreation now threatens both the natural environment and the wilderness experience. To counter the effects of increasing numbers, the Watermans offer sensible and sensitive guidelines for a new ethics of stewardship. The second edition of Backwoods Ethics (whose first edition was reviewed in LJ 12/15/79) details how low-impact hiking and camping and regular trail tending can prevent damage to wild ecosystems. Among the authors' specific recommendations are substituting hammocks for tents and portable stoves for wood fires. The more philosophical Wilderness Ethics examines the purpose of wilderness preservation and evaluates outdoors activities and technologies as they affect the adventure, silence, and sense of remoteness from the outside world that make up the wilderness experience. Some things--large groups, TVs, and radios--simply do not belong in the wilderness. Yet the authors are never shrill or dogmatic. Their style is friendly and humorous; in sharing their concerns and doubts with readers, they encourage us to "think how we can best protect the backwoods environment." For environmental and outdoors collections.
- Joan S. Elbers, Montgomery Coll., Rockville, Md.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Countryman Press
• Publication date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0881502561
• ISBN 13: 9780881502565
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240