I like to listen to the music of nature when hiking - I don't think fellow hikers should be using something that takes their attention off the hike.  Same as driving.

 

 

Over the years I have had many clients from all over the world on my trips and one thing that I have learnt is that a lot of people have different ways of hiking and enjoying the outdoors .

 

I've had people turn up on trips with mp3 players and the such. If someone wants to hike while listening to music who am I to stop them, that just how they like to do things and I'm sure they have there reasons.

If there is a section that safety is an issue and people need to focus fully or any other reason I think listening to music isn't a good idea at the time, then I will step in and tell them to turn it off and put it away.

 

I remember once being at the top of a peak taking a break with a group and one of my clients was listening to his mp3 player. I said "what are you listening to?" he said " Classical", "Do you want to listen?", so I put on the ear-phones and was totally blowen on of this world. I don't remember want classical piece it was but to just sit there looking at the spectacular alpine mountain view with this very powerful music playing in my ears was an amazing experiences and one I won't forget. I can understand why some people take their mp3 players along with them.

 

As for cell phone

 

I get a lot of business people on my trips who are in Japan for one or two weeks . a few of them need to stay in contact with the outside world so I don't have a problem with people bring cell phones on hiking trips but I do have a problem with someone if they bring one just to talk to their girl or boyfriend for a couple of hours

 

All in All people do thing differently in the world.

 

BP

 

Fortunately, I have a job whereby I can operate under a strict rule - "Home doesn't go to Work and Work doesn't come Home!" 

 

When I am off, I'm on my own time.

 

My last two camping trips, I took a small CD player - never used the thing.