One of the most common questions we get from back country hikers is if they will be able to get phone service while backpacking in places such as Grand Canyon and Yosemite.  While I hate to admit that there is limited service a few thousand feet into the canyon along Bright Angel and South Kaibab Trails and in Little Yosemite Valley (depending on your provider of course), I prefer that this bit of information anyone getting away into the wilderness just forgets.  Aside from potential family emergencies, what could possibly be so important that you cannot stay away from texting, cell phones, voicemail and Facebook for just a few days or even a couple weeks?  The whole point of vacation is to vacation and get reconnected with your sanity and yourself.

Instead of regurgitating that which has already been written and stated, I encourage you to read a recent New York Times article written by Matt Richtel, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist for his series of articles “Driven to Distraction.”  This article, “Outdoors and Out of Reach, Studying the Brain,” is about a group of scientists studying how stepping away from our technological devices and rest our brains affects attention, memory and learning.

After you have completed your reading assignment, go to NPR.org to listen to a recent interview of Mr. Richtel on Fresh Air, discussing the effects - positive and negative - all our communication devices have on our brains and state of mind.

Hopefully this will get you prepared to enjoy the wilderness for all it has to offer - beauty, peace, adventure and connection.