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 opinionated-stove huggin'-fleece wearin'-arse burnin' hill virgin
Here
Canada
4642 Posts |
Posted - 08/12/2006 : 12:14 PM
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Know where and when to pick your battles over etiquette. Personally I don't necessarily agree to follow all the advice given here but this is a good forum for it and some of the suggestions make great "guidelines". Consider that not everyone is going to appreciate having their solitude interupted with unsolicited advice over something trivial.
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"Got a gear idea? Drop me a line, hb@clubtread.com"  |
Edited by - Hiker Boy on 08/12/2006 1:34 PM |
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Herbal tea drinkin, tree huggin, view seeking, tortoise paced, ultralite wannabe
Vancouver, BC
Canada
2847 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2006 : 2:59 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Q
Scrambler:
Is it okay to flavour it with something?!?!? 
I find that a very interesting approach. And if it's Buddhist...well, it can't be wrong can it?
I usually scrape the pot of all it's contents when eating though so there wouldn't be that much left! 
It's ok to do whatever you want although since what's left in the pot is what you thought was a good meal in the first place, why would you need to add another flavour  
Buddhists aren't perfect and make mistakes just like everyone else.
Yup, my best meals cooked correctly yield the weakest teas |
Edited by - Scrambler on 08/13/2006 3:00 PM |
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203 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2006 : 7:17 PM
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| I was on the Iceline trail in YNP at Laughing falls cg a few years ago. There are tables around the tenting area,but I went over to the eating area for dinner. When I returned to my tent site there was a group of 5 having dinner at the table in my site. I asked what they were doing and they replied,"eating dinner". In my tenting site!?,I asked. Yes was the reply. I lost it. They refused to move and finished up dinner with a game of cards. The next day on my way up to the Little Yoho valley I encountered this same group all sitting down on a small bridge,which I had to cross.Did they move? Not a chance.Oh and their packs were on the bridge. I felt like pushing them all in the creek. I picked my way across with a few harsh words.I believe the words I used were etiquette and lack of common sense. Braindead may have been used. The point is,please don't interfer with other hikers tent sites or clutter up bridges. If I rest on a bridge and someone is approaching I move to let them pass.As for fires,I build them whenever possible,because I cook with them as well as enjoy them. |
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Coffee swillin', wine lovin', Owl fearin' Andie McDowell stunt double, who sports retro gear
Vancouver, BC
5468 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2006 : 8:33 PM
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Last weekend coming down the Joffre Lakes trail, there was a narrow section of trail where it would be hard to pass someone unless they stepped aside. I heard/felt someone running up behind me, and since he was about 6 inches behind me, breathing down my neck and seemed to be in a hurry, I said, "Oh, do you want to pass?" and stepped aside. Not sure if he said thanks or not (I don't think so), but next thing I knew I was watching him plowing right through the person (in my group) in front of me. I mean, he all but pushed this person out of the way, without so much as an "excuse me." As his female companion passed, I said loud enough for them both to hear, "An 'excuse me' would go a long way."
I mean, come on, it's common sense, right? Don't these people know anything about basic good manners? I have no ego issues about letting faster people pass; if I can see they are coming up behind me I always step aside to let them pass. If for some reason I haven't noticed, then a simple, "Hi, do you mind if I pass?" would do the trick.
Some of these people seem to think they should have exclusive rights to the trail, but guess what? Your athletic prowess impresses me not one iota if you behave like a complete dolt. |
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319 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2006 : 7:18 PM
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Washing Tea is a great idea. I think I'll adopt.
Don't cut across switchbacks. This creates erosion and destroys the existing vegetation. I saw this way too much on the Rawson Lake Trail.
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www.freewebs.com/northernwasteland |
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bandana wearin', pole huckin', view lovin', dog herdin', 4x4 navigatin', lake huntin', butt-slidin' bridge crosser, who enjoys postholing with an overnighter pack
Surrey, BC
Canada
4650 Posts |
Posted - 09/14/2006 : 1:35 PM
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Glad you mentioned this one  - I see it way too many times too  to the point where you don't even know where the original trail was/is.
quote:
Originally posted by Flagstaff
Don't cut across switchbacks. This creates erosion and destroys the existing vegetation. I saw this way too much on the Rawson Lake Trail.
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Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2006 : 12:24 AM
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awesome WS! I was taking three senior ladies into a slot canyon last summer when a guy and his girl practically ran by us not waiting for the ladies to climb up to the next level. Then they ran, spashing through the stream and the guy 20 min.later (always running way ahead of his female counterpart who's hat was way to big for her little pin-head as it kept falling over her eyes) turned back and was scurrying past us and said "I've got two more canyons to get through yet today!" Too funny! WHAT A DOLT~!
I can't believe I remember that! I'm gonna take a small break have a drink and laugh some more.....
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May your trails be crooked, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing views ! Edward Abbey |
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Night owl posting,Subie driving, backpacking Dad who is perpetually trying to catch up to his kids on the trail.
Vancouver, BC
Canada
3055 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2006 : 01:06 AM
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I recently completed a trip with a group of highschool students in Strathcona Park on the Island. We were guided by 2 employees of the Lodge into the Kings Peak area where there are no permanent facilities such as outhouses. They regularly take large parties into this and other, similar Park areas (up to 10 clients with 2 guides). In spite of the regular traffic, these areas remain remarkably pristine due to their careful and detailed instruction on "leave no trace" practices.
These are some of their key practices which should be adopted by large
parties in similar wilderness areas:
Pooping: dig a cat-hole to about one-hand depth. Poop in the hole. Use natural materials to wipe (e.g. "old man's beard", leaves, smooth stones or smooth sticks). Add a little dirt to the hole and stir with a stick. Bury and mark the spot with crossed sticks. Use hand sanitizer on completion.
Dish cleaning: Lick your bowl clean. Don't use soap. Pour "grey water" from dish cleaning through a screen carried for the purpose into a cat hole. Food debris caught in the screen goes in a small garbage bag to be packed out.
Shelter: Use a large common shelter (e.g. tarp) rather than many tents. Where dead-fall poles and large rocks are used to support the stucture, spread them back out in the surrounding area when you are done.
Fires: None in the alpine. Elsewhere, confine them to established fire pits and only burn deadfall. Keep them small and fully burn all the wood you add to the fire. Ensure the fire is fully extinguished before turning in.
Litter: Set up a closely spaced line of walkers to comb your camping area on departure to pick up every bit of litter in the area.
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"Aging ... it beats the alternative" |
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Trail blazin', backcountry bushwackin', pine huntin', photo takin', long winded story teller
3838 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2006 : 02:29 AM
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On this thread I have read alot about garbage to the point where I am becoming confused. Do I sound dumb?
Well then smarten me up and answer these questions for me.
What is considered garbage?
Why is it considered garbage?
Where is it considered as garbage?
Think about this before you answer.
Harmful.
Eye-sore.
Life saving.
Some ones belongings.
Give me your answers and I will give you mine. At least to what I used to think, but now am confessed.
Then you can cut me to pieces.
Ofcourse if I don't get any answers I'll just assume you are all a bunch of hypocrits and are only spouting off just to hear yourselves.
C'mon, answer my questions and enlighten me.
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Wildman |
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in the valley, BC
Canada
1460 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2006 : 07:54 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Wildman
On this thread I have read alot about garbage to the point where I am becoming confused. Do I sound dumb?
Well then smarten me up and answer these questions for me.
What is considered garbage?
Why is it considered garbage?
Where is it considered as garbage?
Think about this before you answer.
Harmful.
Eye-sore.
Life saving.
Some ones belongings.
Give me your answers and I will give you mine. At least to what I used to think, but now am confessed.
Then you can cut me to pieces.
Ofcourse if I don't get any answers I'll just assume you are all a bunch of hypocrits and are only spouting off just to hear yourselves.
C'mon, answer my questions and enlighten me.
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Wildman
To me garbage is discarded food wrappers and empty cans, cigarette butts, discarded items (left behind by someone rather than packing it out while in the back country or being too lazy to place the item in a garbage can if in civilization). I could probably go on but I am sure you are getting my drift.
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"Smile, it is the key that fits the lock to everybody's heart." |
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Trail blazin', backcountry bushwackin', pine huntin', photo takin', long winded story teller
3838 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2006 : 12:26 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Blucruisin
[quote]To me garbage is discarded food wrappers and empty cans, cigarette butts, discarded items (left behind by someone rather than packing it out while in the back country or being too lazy to place the item in a garbage can if in civilization). I could probably go on but I am sure you are getting my drift.
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Not bad, at least a start, but I need more input. I am still confused. C'mon, I want info from every one. Let me hear your interpretation of garbage?
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Wildman |
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Coffee swillin', wine lovin', Owl fearin' Andie McDowell stunt double, who sports retro gear
Vancouver, BC
5468 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2006 : 1:20 PM
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It's pretty simple: if you've packed it in, you should pack it out. This includes cigarette butts, TP, banana peels, orange peels, the little stickers you peeled off your apple, leftover food. Anything that wasn't there before some human came in. Some people advocate packing out your poop, but I won't go that far. Dig a hole and bury it, and don't leave it in the middle of a trail.
Why? To me, because it's an eyesore, but in some cases can be harmful to wildlife. Do you leave your cigarette butts all over the floor in your house? Didn't think so. Then why leave it all over the ground in formerly pristine landscapes? |
Edited by - wilderness_seeker on 10/04/2006 1:26 PM |
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ass wigglin, cheese lovin, 4x4 drivin, apostrophe hatin, hiking chick who loves camping on snow
spaceship..
Canada
7209 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2006 : 1:33 PM
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Why? Because it upsets the natural cycle of life...
One example is Eagles/hawks that get killed by cars on the highway everyday, reason being is that someone will throw food out their car window - biodegradable so it's acceptable to that person to chuck it. What they dont know is the birds are after the mice that eat the food, easier to see the mice close to the highway rather than in the long grass where they should be.
I learned this from a bird sanctuary group that did a presentation at my daughter's school - this is only one example.
Leave no trace - think about it, leaving no trace means leaving nothing, absolutely nothing, behind.
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ass wigglin, cheese lovin, 4x4 drivin, apostrophe hatin, hiking chick who loves camping on snow
spaceship..
Canada
7209 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2006 : 1:41 PM
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not to mention the unsightly plastic shells I came across a few weeks back left by hunters
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Trail blazin', backcountry bushwackin', pine huntin', photo takin', long winded story teller
3838 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2006 : 2:09 PM
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I keep hearing about what you pack in you should pack out. But what about stuff out there already and other situations?
You keep harping about cigarette butts and I will admit sometimes crushing the odd one out on a rock and forgetting about it or even sometimes leaving them there on purpose to mark a secluded landform so I know if I was there before, like bushwacking and coming to a small clearing and having a rest and smoke and leaving a butt there or the black soot where I put it out on a rock so I recognize the spot on the way back.
But I have also followed a bunch of hikers spitting sunflower seed shells all over the place well they were hiking on many occasions.
I need more info people. Give me a broader view of what you call garbage?
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Wildman |
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Coffee swillin', wine lovin', Owl fearin' Andie McDowell stunt double, who sports retro gear
Vancouver, BC
5468 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2006 : 2:34 PM
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I would argue that hikers should pack out their sunflower seed shells too, although I find those less evil than cigarette butts (I keep harping about cigarette butts because I see them EVERYWHERE, not just in the wilderness; it bugs me equally to see people tossing them in the street and in city parks). And I imagine we've all forgotten the occasional thing, which is different from deliberately tossing something on the ground.
quote:
But what about stuff out there already and other situations?
I say, leave a place better than you found it. If someone has been careless enough to leave their litter, you would be doing a good thing by cleaning it up. I packed out 3 plastic water bottles and a bunch of other crap left behind by careless hikers at Cape Scott. I drew the line at picking up dirty TP left at the side of the trail by disgusting slobs.
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1422 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2006 : 3:07 PM
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I know that from time to time I litter accidentally, other people do to even if they don't mean to. For that reason I often pick up litter that i find on the trail - to restore my own personal littering karma to neutral or better.
My personal test for what counts as litter is biodegradability. Anything that is not biodegradable is definately litter. On popular trails, biodegradable stuff counts as litter too, but if I'm bushwhacking off trail somewhere I don't fuss about leaving an apple core behind.
When it comes to gray water I'm a fan of the lick your bowl clean approach. Having a mini spatula (or a really long tounge) helps in this department. |
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Trail blazin', backcountry bushwackin', pine huntin', photo takin', long winded story teller
3838 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2006 : 3:16 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by scottN
I know that from time to time I litter accidentally, other people do to even if they don't mean to. For that reason I often pick up litter that i find on the trail - to restore my own personal littering karma to neutral or better.
My personal test for what counts as litter is biodegradability. Anything that is not biodegradable is definately litter. On popular trails, biodegradable stuff counts as litter too, but if I'm bushwhacking off trail somewhere I don't fuss about leaving an apple core behind.
When it comes to gray water I'm a fan of the lick your bowl clean approach. Having a mini spatula (or a really long tounge) helps in this department.
Very good, different from the norm. Now were getting somewhere.
Any other opinions of what's garbage and what's not?
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Wildman |
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Alberta-based choss climbin', flame throwin', rappel lovin', ass talkin' hater who doesn't like "Gumby" for a descriptor
6302 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2006 : 4:24 PM
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I remember one time when I was around 18 years old. We were driving to Hemlock to go skiing. I was eating a sub and the wrapper was really really messy. I looked around and didn't want to mess up the clean car and being the inconsiderate young ass that I was I tossed it out the window rather than hanging on to it. A friend of mine said something along the lines of "what an idiot, you've sacrificed your own morals for the sake of mere convienience. I could tell you didn't want to do it, yet you did it anyways". That's the last time I ever littered.
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Raincouver, British Columbia
Canada
712 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2006 : 6:09 PM
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quote:
My personal test for what counts as litter is biodegradability. Anything that is not biodegradable is definately litter. On popular trails, biodegradable stuff counts as litter too, but if I'm bushwhacking off trail somewhere I don't fuss about leaving an apple core behind.
For me even if it is biodegradeable it is still litter. Things like banana peels and orange peels are biodegradable but take ages to break down. In the mean time, they can be very visible on the trail and off of it since they are so bright. If you packed it in, pack it out. No exceptions. |
Edited by - Gulagger on 10/04/2006 6:10 PM |
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Back Country Etiquette
