Why does Edward Abbey seemingly push the limits of safety by living in isolation and putting himself in dangerous situations?

It is the only way Abbey can genuinely experience life and nature without the influences of other people. He so much wants to be a part of nature, rather than a typical part of his own culture, that he strips himself of the usual barriers and safety nets of rules, ideas, friends and society, and has a clean, pure experience of things, including his own responses and emotions.