April, 1999
A very interesting study is featured in the Science and Research section of this IJW. “Health-Related Knowledge and Preparedness of High-Altitude Wilderness Hikers in Colorado,” surveyed 126 hikers in Rocky Mountain National Park as to their knowledge of common wilderness-related illnesses and their level of preparedness for these issues. A large percentage of those interviewed were not prepared or knowledgeable about high-altitude risks. The majority of respondents were not adequately acclimated to the altitude prior to beginning their excursion.
In the International Perspectives of this IJW, Andrew Muir describes Imbewu and the Opinion Leader Programmes of the Wilderness Leadership School. Both of these programs are aimed to rekindle the bond between South Africans and their land, a bond alienated by policies of colonization and apartheid. Also in this issue, John Shultis reviews two books: “Wilderness by Design: Landscape Architecture & the National Park Service,” by Ethan Carr; and “Building the National Parks: Historic Landscape Design and Construction,” by Linda Flint McClelland.
Keith Kilbrun presents highlights from a Wilderness Therapy Conference at the University of Idaho in “Wilderness for Healing and Growing People.” And, Kenton Miller contributes to International Perspectives with commentary on the ecological services provided by wilderness and how these services support natural and human communities. He emphasizes that “For long-term survival, and therefore service to people and nature, these key sites (protected areas) need to be established and managed within a network of reserves connected by biodiversity-friendly corridors.”