Hot take: Map apps send everyone to the SAME 'secret' lookout

I scout spots on old hiking club websites now for truly quiet views. Found a cliff with NO people last weekend.

4 comments

4 Comments

Wait, you found a cliff with literally no one there? That feels impossible now. Every decent spot on a map app is ruined in a month. You digging on old club sites is actually genius. Those places never get posted online for the crowds. I need to try that before every last quiet spot gets a geotag.

beth_butler1mo ago

Honestly the panic about every spot being ruined feels over the top. Most people still just go to the same three places they saw on Instagram. Even if a place gets tagged, the crowd usually moves on to the next trend by next season. Old guidebooks and paper maps work fine too, it's not that deep.

jenkins.hayden1mo ago

Actually, that whole idea of keeping places secret just makes outdoor spaces feel like a private club. Map apps letting crowds find spots is a good thing, because it means more people get outside. Sure, a popular lookout gets busy, but so what? A crowded trail is still better than a couch. Most folks don't have the time to dig through old websites, and they shouldn't have to.

sarahb541mo ago

No way you found an empty cliff, but beth_butler has a point about trends.