Thanks to Ann Higgins for sending me to the Star Tribune Op-Ed pages for a fun story on the wired wilderness.

First Eric Ringham wrote an article that made fun of wifi in Itasca State Park. (I blogged about the project getting state parks online a while back.) The follow up from “high tech campers” is great.

The campers apparently sent their letter from a Blackberry while out on the Superior Hiking Trail. It was great. Here’s a snippet:

Technology and the outdoor experience need not be at odds. In fact, they never have been. Why should anyone complain if Wi-Fi makes a camper’s experience more comfortable? Our experience is certainly more comfortable with our sleeping bags, stove and (maybe) Steripen.

I’ve said it before wifi might be necessary for getting me in the wilderness – but it isn’t sufficient. I’m with the high tech campers in wondering what impact wifi might have to those who don’t want it. It seems to me as if it would be a valuable safety tool for anyone who might get lost in the wilderness with a cell phone.