Thank You John Muir

In approximately seventy days I along with thirteen other fortunate souls will travel to the remote reaches of northwestern Idaho to see and experience things as John Muir intended them to be. As part of the Hell Hike and Raft crew I can't wait to be a part of the untamed wilderness. 

As a follower and student of John Muir's works, I have spent the past weeks wondering about him, those that influenced him and those he influenced and the work that they collectively accomplished to ensure that our country's best idea not only came to fruition but also endured for generations to come.  We all are better because of Mr. Muir's works and ideas. 

Today, I wonder about the literary genius of both Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. I think about the power of their words and how they so strongly influenced Muir. 

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In addition to Thoreau and Emerson, there were others who influenced Muir and attributed to his ideals and literary works and love of nature. 

Muir exposed others to the wild and utilized the relations he had to ensure that nature and the wilderness lived on in it's present state. People like President Theodore Roosevelt also know as the "Conservation President" was one of the most influential people to learn from Muir.   

Stephen Mather, the founding Director of the US National Park Service had the pleasure of being exposed and influenced by Muir as well. As we enjoy what we have today, we must look back and pay gratitude to the sacrifice and hard work that was dedicated to preserving the wilderness both by President Roosevelt who worked to classify and designate these wild places for us and for the work that would be done by the National Park Service to preserve and protect them for many years to come. It is hard to fathom in this day in age a single person having such dynamic and everlasting influence on an idea, a principle or a movement. John Muir was dynamic, influential and he created a movement to protect what he wanted all of to see and experience just as he did.

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As enthusiasts of the outdoors, I strongly believe that we all have a little Muir in us. Also, I know that just as Mather, Roosevelt and others like Ansel Adams were influenced to protect the wilderness we too have a role to play to keep the wild, wild and nature protected for ourselves and for our children. This I know is a personal conviction of mine. I hope that is others as well so that we can all continue to enjoy the beauty around us. Muir created the Sierra Club to protect what he loved. I too, give of my time and work with my local Sierra Club group to help do the same locally. I urge all outdoor enthusiasts to do the same and play a role as Muir did to not only enjoy what we have but help protect it. Do it in your own way. 

I know without John Muir, some of my experiences may have not been possible. 

For that I say... Thank You John Muir.

Keep Hiking Forward

Scott