Encountering Heidi: meeting others as a central aspect of the river experience

Abstract

Over the past few decades, numerous studies have investigated relationships between encounters and the backcountry recreation experience. Although academics and professionals may recognize that meeting others in backcountry areas could result in positive interactions that are beneficial to the experience, research directed at the positive aspects of intergroup relations is still in its inception. This paper examines encounters using a symbolic interactionist framework, grounded in empirical data, and provides an interpretation of the inter-linkages between encounters, experiences, and identities. The findings are based on more than 10 years of participant observation studies on multi-day white water rafting trips in the western United States.

Parent Publication

• Wilderness science in a time of change conference-Volume 3: Wilderness as a place for scientific inquiry; 1999 May 23-27; Missoula, MT

Citation

Jonas, Lilian; Larkin, Kevin. 2000. Encountering Heidi: meeting others as a central aspect of the river experience. In: McCool, Stephen F.; Cole, David N.; Borrie, William T.; O’Loughlin, Jennifer, comps. 2000. Wilderness science in a time of change conference—Volume 3: Wilderness as a place for scientific inquiry; 1999 May 23–27; Missoula, MT. Proceedings RMRS-P-15-VOL-3. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 181-187