Aaron C. Vlasak

Marshall’s main argument for wilderness preservation is premised on the human need for adventure. Emulating Bob’s big hike occasioned the reflection on the activity of adventure and how it alters the wilderness experience.

In the spring of 1875, John Muir got stuck overnight in a snowstorm near the summit of Shasta. In Muir’s portrayal, the suffering he endured never totality eclipsed the immense beauty of the mountain. My recent ascent got me questioning the wisdom of Muir’s decisions, his confidence, and his spirituality.

Thoreau paints a savage and chaotic picture of the alpine landscape—a picture that presents a challenge to the wilderness of his imagination. For me, Thoreau’s story of his climb enriched the geography of Katahdin, and my own summit attempt cast fresh perspective on Thoreau’s narrative.