Posts Tagged ‘Camping’

Basic Hiking Courtesy

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

Two campers with gear hiking through Bear Moun...
Image via Wikipedia

On various trail systems, you will encounter all varieties of hikers, each with different skills sets and expectations for what the behavior should be like between one hiker and another on the trail. Despite the inherent humility and kindness endemic to the idea of hiking, there are always people who harbor certain pretensions and suppositions about what is and is not permissible on the trail.

When you’re out exploring nature, it’s best to know what is expected of you and of other hikers, though the question whether or not you should moderate the behavior of others is entirely up to you. Nobody likes a preacher, but sometimes, a sermon is what is needed.

Some basic things to know about hiking etiquette start with a respect for nature. When you’re in the woods, you should bring nothing out that you didn’t come in with. This means you shouldn’t destroy plants, trees, or even dislodge rocks when possible. Additionally, you shouldn’t leave anything behind. Bring what you need, and don’t leave yourself or the woods wont for anything.

If you’re on a longer hiking trip that involves camping, don’t make a new site if it’s not necessary. If you’re on trails already made by other park districts and hikers, most chances are that someone has already camped out there before you. Stay within the boundaries of the campsite, avoid spreading out, and be sure to bury your waste. Doing these things make life easier for the people after you and more pleasant for the surrounding forest and its intricate eco-system.

Above all, when it comes to hiking, be considerate. Nature has its own rhythm and music. Don’t interrupt it with boisterous yelling and loud music. This is disrespectful to nature as well as other hikers trying to enjoy it. And if the trails are narrow, or you and your group are moving at a more deliberate pace, don’t hold up or block the trail for the faster-paced hikers.

Finally, don’t forget to enjoy yourself. Following a few basic principles of hiking etiquette can make your trip better for everyone.

Enhanced by Zemanta
  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: , , | Posted in All About Hiking, Hiking Techniques | No Comments »

Hiking, Camping, and Fires

Friday, May 21st, 2010

If you are an avid hiker, chances are, you are a fan of camping and other outdoor activities too. And if you’ve ever been camping, you’ve probably had a fire going. Perhaps you were making some dinner, toasting some marshmallows, or maybe even boiling some water for some coffee. If you’re in the woods, having a good fire can be your best friend, but left untended or improperly prepared, it can quickly turn into your worst enemy. There are a few important precautions to take when you’re out spending a day in the woods, hiking, camping, and everything else.

First, whatever spot you pick to make a fire, do it away from brush, dry trees, and other fire hazards. Your best option is an open area in a clearing where sparks won’t jump from the fire onto a tree or a pile of dry leaves. To ensure the fire stays controlled, make a perimeter around it using rocks, dirt, sand, and whatever else might be used as a retardant. Finally, when you’re done with the fire, douse it amply with water and dirt to ensure that once it’s out, it stays out.

The embers at the root of the fire have a tendency to roost and reignite, so when you’re putting out a fire, mix it around and get it as wet as possible. And if you don’t have any water you want to spare, you can always urinate on the fire site too. It doesn’t smell the best, but it’s economical.

Finally, you should avoid making new fire sites whenever possible. The whole point of trail systems and prior camping sites is that you try to leave as little of a footprint as you can when you are out exploring the wilderness. The woods are to be respected, as are all the forces of nature, and nothing is more naturally destructive than fire. Therefore, in the woods, fire only when necessary.

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: , , | Posted in Adventures, Hiking Techniques | No Comments »