Today, July 18, is World Listening Day. Now you know.

One of the day's purposes is to "raise awareness about the acoustic ecology movement, including ideas regarding how noise pollution can be reduced."

A worthy goal. As a fan of quiet in outdoor and wilderness settings, it is my perpetual hope that fellow backcountry visitors will please, pretty please:

1. Avoid using external speakers on electronic devices.

2. Keep mobile phones shut off unless an emergency arises.

This seems like a fitting occasion to note the work of author and audio ecologist Gordon Hempton, who believes silence is nearing extinction.

He has identified a spot in the Hoh Rain Forest of Olympic National Park as the quietest place in the United States.

Read about his work in a Newsweek article from 2010, which includes this video:

I remember once sitting a rock near Seavey Pass in the far northern reaches of Yosemite National Park and being knocked out by what I perceived to be utter stillness and silence. It was a fantastic moment that caused me to listen intently. About 20 minutes later when I finally moved on, I found the boot-crunch of my steps to be strangely noticeable. It's interesting how deep silence can alter human perception.

World Listening Day trivia I learned via Twitter today: The word "listen" has the same letters as the word "silent."  

What's the quietest spot you have ever visited?

Photos © by Ted Chase (above) and REI (below).