Backcountry
Encyclopedia
A backcountry area in general terms is a geographical region that is:
The term may apply to various regions that are reasonably close to urban areas but are:
While the term "backcountry" is roughly comparable to the term "wilderness
", they are not necessarily equivalent. "Wilderness" implies more the condition, where as "backcountry" implies more the position. Backcountry is similar to hinterland
.
There is some debate about the accessibility of people by means other than human power. While wilderness is a state of mind that implies pristine and untouched landscapes, backcountry serves as areas of land explored exclusively by human power. Wilderness exists in many places, including the backcountry.
The backcountry contains many hazards including rough terrain, life-threatening weather, avalanches and wild animals. Tragic accidents and dramatic backcountry rescues of stranded hikers, climbers or skiiers are a staple of news reporting. Some jurisdictions have discussed placing limits on human access to the backcountry during times of particular danger.
A more well-known, Australia
n term is "outback
".
- isolated
- remoteRemoteRemote may refer to:* Remote control, commonly known as a remote* Remote broadcast, commonly known in broadcasting as a person or a live remote* Remote access* Remote desktop...
- undeveloped
- difficult to access
The term may apply to various regions that are reasonably close to urban areas but are:
- not immediately accessible by car
- at relatively high altitudeAltitudeAltitude or height is defined based on the context in which it is used . As a general definition, altitude is a distance measurement, usually in the vertical or "up" direction, between a reference datum and a point or object. The reference datum also often varies according to the context...
- not generally frequented by human visitors
- limited to human-powered visitors
While the term "backcountry" is roughly comparable to the term "wilderness
Wilderness
Wilderness or wildland is a natural environment on Earth that has not been significantly modified by human activity. It may also be defined as: "The most intact, undisturbed wild natural areas left on our planet—those last truly wild places that humans do not control and have not developed with...
", they are not necessarily equivalent. "Wilderness" implies more the condition, where as "backcountry" implies more the position. Backcountry is similar to hinterland
Hinterland
The hinterland is the land or district behind a coast or the shoreline of a river. Specifically, by the doctrine of the hinterland, the word is applied to the inland region lying behind a port, claimed by the state that owns the coast. The area from which products are delivered to a port for...
.
There is some debate about the accessibility of people by means other than human power. While wilderness is a state of mind that implies pristine and untouched landscapes, backcountry serves as areas of land explored exclusively by human power. Wilderness exists in many places, including the backcountry.
The backcountry contains many hazards including rough terrain, life-threatening weather, avalanches and wild animals. Tragic accidents and dramatic backcountry rescues of stranded hikers, climbers or skiiers are a staple of news reporting. Some jurisdictions have discussed placing limits on human access to the backcountry during times of particular danger.
A more well-known, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n term is "outback
Outback
The Outback is the vast, remote, arid area of Australia, term colloquially can refer to any lands outside the main urban areas. The term "the outback" is generally used to refer to locations that are comparatively more remote than those areas named "the bush".-Overview:The outback is home to a...
".
See also
- Potability of backcountry waterPotability of backcountry waterWilderness acquired diarrhea , wilderness-acquired diarrhea, wilderness diarrhea, or backcountry diarrhea, is diarrhea that is caused by pathogens that have infected people when they were in the wilderness. It is a much-discussed hazard among backpackers, hikers, campers and other outdoor...
- Backcountry skiingBackcountry skiingBackcountry skiing is skiing in a sparsely inhabited rural region over ungroomed and unmarked slopes or pistes, including skiing in unmarked or unpatrolled areas either within the ski resort's boundaries or in the backcountry, frequently amongst trees , usually in pursuit of fresh fallen powder...
- Backcountry snowboardingBackcountry snowboardingBackcountry snowboarding is snowboarding in a sparsely inhabited rural region over ungroomed and unmarked slopes or pistes in the backcountry, frequently amongst trees , usually in pursuit of fresh fallen snow, known as powder. Often, the land and the snow pack are not monitored, patrolled, or...
- Backcountry.comBackcountry.comBackcountry.com is an online outdoor retailer that specializes in high-end outdoor recreation gear for skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, kayaking, hiking, trekking, trail running, snowshoeing, and cycling.-History:...
- Backcountry hutBackcountry hutBackcountry huts are huts that serve overnight hiking and trekking needs and can be found in many places in the world.-New Zealand:New Zealand has a network of approximately 950 backcountry huts...