Site security

[PaleoRob]

Okay, so just bouncing this off here, because it irked me and thought maybe people here might have a take on things.
I've got a section of my (rambling) website dedicated to my visits to ruins (http://dinodomain.com/anasazi), including one trip I took to Moonhouse in 2005. Today I got an e-mail from some guy whom I've never met calling me an A-hole for giving away information on Moonhouse. Now I looked over my Moonhouse page, and saw nowhere that I gave away any direct info beyond Cedar Mesa (which is run-of-the-mill info, in my opinion). I even lied about the canyon name (http://dinodomain.com/anasazi/8-09-05/index.html). Nor have I ever told anyone, even people who have asked, how to get there. I may love Moonhouse, but I don't think I'd ever give away its secrets. I told him basically to buzz off and write mean letters to people who give away its GPS coords or write directions in their books, as opposed to someone who just visited once and snapped some pictures.
So, am I giving too much away on my site? I don't think so, but if I am, I'd like to know. Or, is that guy who didn't even give his real name, just a jerk?

[hikeaz]

In response to PageRob's reply:

I'd say no, you defintely did not "give-it-away".
I have been to Moonhouse and it for sure is a special place - worthy of preserving.

But, all the "exclusionists" out there should step down from the box some and recall that, in almost EVERY case, someone told THEM about a special place at one time and how to reach it. It's not like they are merely out there wandering aimlessly and stumble across these places for the most part.

i.e. - The Lava Tubes (Ice Caves) outside of Flag were, at first, a closely-guarded secret as a place that cowboys iced their beer. Later, when the logging RR was put through, the RR workers prized it as well, for the same reason - but alas the word spread. Now WE know about it.
The internet & trail books have spread the word 1000x further & faster than before, but only the method of rumor-spreading has changed, not the rumor-spreading itself.

[Al_HikesAZ]

In response to hikeaz's reply:
I agree with Kurt.

I don't know the history of Moonhouse. It appears to be a normal village and not a special sacred village so I have no problems with your presentation. You mention that archeaologists had removed all artifacts. If sacred artifacts had been present I might have avoided publishing photos. But the big complaint with photos was that they "captured the living soul". Since there is no "living soul" here, I don't see a problem with anything you published.

I sure as h-ll could never find this place from the info on your site.

ps Great photos

[azbackpackr]

I guess by talking about it you'll make people curious. Then they might find directions to it via some other source. Never-the-less, the guy was a jerk, as you said.

I've heard of Moonhouse for years, though, it's no secret. If you google "moonhouse utah" you'll get quite a few hits. No secret at all!

[soren2004]

But, all the "exclusionists" out there should step down from the box some and recall that, in almost EVERY case, someone told THEM about a special place at one time and how to reach it. It's not like they are merely out there wandering aimlessly and stumble across these places for the most part.

I couldn't agree more.

If we shutdown the forests/ruins to "preserve" them, and no one EVER goes to see them, who/what are we preserving them for?

Keeping these places secret is the same thing. If no one ever sees the ruins again they might as well have never existed.

I guess secrets make people feel special or powerful. And these "exclusionists" tend to come off as a bit covetous of locations or ruins that do not belong to them.

[kylemorgan]

Just for kicks, I googled "moonhouse" and the first website that popped up not only had driving directions, but GPS coords. Now, not having ever met you, Rob, you very well could be an "A-hole", but it wouldn't be for revealing too much about Moonhouse.

[joebartels]

Personally I'm not a big fan of posting something without giving others the opportunity to share the experience. That's why I posted this http://hikearizona.com/dex2/viewtopic.php?p=21355
however, there was little response

I guess respect is now defined as Tuzigoot.
Please don't disrespect this space, $5 please

Contrary to popular belief people'f been walking over ruins by millions a day.

At any rate, that guy may have just been having a bad day or needing to vent. Let it go. Who knows maybe he's right. I'm certainly not into the disrespect thing so many fall into or at least I seriously try not to be. Heck, I agree maybe 60% of what's said on this forum alone. On the other hand my views mature on reanalysis time and time again. If nobody talked to people they didn't agree with this would be one silent world.