Today’s classic column suggests 48 degrees, 30 minutes south, 120 degrees, 30 minutes west as a quiet spot. But look at the date on that column-4/15/77! What do you want to bet that someone’s built a damn floating hotel there by now?
I checked my Rand McNally World wall map to see what’s there. It’s almost dead center of the large “Rand McNally World” logo.
Does anyone have an idea of the remotest location that is on something solid? I would guess that it is either in the Sahara Desert, the Gobi Desert, in the middle of Greenland or on one of the Antarctic ice caps.
Any ideas on this?
Tristan da Cunha?
Tristan da Cunha is fine for the well heeled traveler. In fact, I would love to visit myself (along with the other south Atlantic islands) but will probably never be able to afford it.
However, assuming that the poster is serious, and knowing that the average poster (and reader) has limited means (money and time), I would suggest a more serious form of isolation. I also define a vacation as to opportunity to see as few people as possible, and have become quite adept at accomplishing this goal while spending little money and only a little time. What I suggest is the great wilderness area of the US Forest Service System. Wilderness areas are tracts of land set aside where transportation is allowed only by walking (human or animal walking, i.e. you can ride a horse). Generally, no permanent improvements are allowed (such as buildings) except for trails.
May of these wilderness areas are larger than 500,000 acres. The Frank Church, which is the largest in the lower 48 states, is 2.4 million acres. While these area see moderate use in the summer, a trip in early fall can generally be accomplished without seeing anyone. Additionally, like anywhere else, the majority of users stick to the more popular areas. If you don’t mind wandering off the trail, you can visit at the height of the season and rarely is every see another visitor.
Most of these areas can be reached by a cheap plane ride and a car rental from any major airport with one days travel. I rarely spend more than $400 transportation and usually spend a blissful week without seeing another soul. My favorite areas are the Weminuche Wilderness in southwestern and the Pasayten in north central Washington. Many other wonderful wilderness areas exist (http://www.wilderness.net).
The downside? You have to backpack in, carrying your food, water, clothing and shelter on your back (However, this is much cheaper than a $100/night hotel plus $40/day for eating out). The climate can be atrocious any time of the year. I have been snowed on every time I have hiked in the Weminuche after Sep. 1. Expect to walk 8-10 miles per day for two days to get far enough from the borders that you can reasonably expect to see no one else. Make sure you know what you are doing if you leave the trail, as people do occasionally dies in these areas (the terrain is harsh, which is why these area are wilderness rather the farmland).
I guess I am glad for the downsides, because that is why I can go and be by myself. The barrier to entry is much too high for the average American.
Well, assuming the request is serious, how about a vacation in Western Canada? With a relatively low population there are vast areas of pristine wilderness, especially in the more northern areas. For example, British Columbia has a population of about 4 million people in an area considerably larger than Texas. There are huge forested areas, mountain ranges, provincial and national parks, lakes, and very few people, especially compared to most areas of the continental US.
One must be prepared and plan well for a wilderness vacation, of course. Weather is certainly a serious consideration, although contrary to the opinion of most “southern” folks our summers are actually very nice, with lots of sun and warm temperatures. Wildlife is also a major factor, with lots of bears as the major risk. Probably the most serious concern is becoming lost or injured in some very remote and rough terrain. Make sure you let people know where you are going, and when you’ll be back so they can send out the search party if you don’t show up on time. And consider that many areas are so remote that it can take several days to search for someone. Perfect for your isolated get-away.
There are lots of good web sites with information on travelling in the area. A good place to start is the BC Adventure site at www.bcadventure.com.
Happy isolated holiday!
How isolated is the spot Cecil mentioned not just from humans, but from all large forms of life? What sort of deep water fish abound in such areas?
I was in Peace Corps in Mauritania which is in West Africa, for those of you not in front of a map right now.
We often joked that the country was where they were talking about when people said “the middle of nowhere”. There are other people around there, but it’s entirely possible to walk for a days and run into another person (depending on where in the country you are).
Just a suggestion. It’s really a lovely country in its own way. I wish I could go back right now.
Welcome Canuk
Welcome pcvzeno
I am aware of the wilderness areas of the western US as I grew up in Wyoming not far from a number of them. I should have been aware of teh wilderness areas of western Canada as I often look at the map and dream of what life must be like in the far north.
Mauritania is more of the exotic far from anyone aspect I was questioning.
Its nice to know that I now have several ideas for close by getting away from it all and one far away getting away from it all.
Thanks.
I should have said NOT run into anybody. Sorry.
I’ve heard large tracks of Antarctica are especially deviod of life this time of year.
Easter Island, the navel of the world. Not totally without people, tho.
The area calculation of approximately 8,657,000 square miles is for the area on a plane bounded by a circle of radius 1,660 miles. The earth is, however, not actually flat, and is generally spherical in nature. Assuming a perfect sphere of 25,000 miles circumference, my calculations show that you would have approximately 8,532,000 square miles of pure, unadulterated water to enjoy.
IF you want isolation without the hassle of travelling off the continental shelf I’d recommend Anacapa Island off the coast of Pt. Mugu California. It’s a little patch of land about 14 miles off the coast with nobody around except for an automated lighthouse. I camped there once in 2000 and instantly felt completely cut-off from the rest of the planet. No motels, no restaurants, and virtually no trees. 