High on the Mountain Top
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: , , .
Interest: absoltely anything outdoors, kayaking, hiking, cycling, mountain biking,
Posts: 1,603
Back Country Etiquette
I was thinking that with so many new members and so many people joining Club Tread who have not had so much experience in the back country, a special section devoted to back country etiquette might be a nice idea. I know that there are many differing thoughts on a lot of the points to be brought up but those who need this kind of specific info might find it easier if they had some ideas instead of none.
Or another way to do it is post a heading alongside the "Forum Guidelines". Something like.... "Backcountry Guidelines"....."We encourage hikers and CT members to follow these simple backcountry etiquette guidelines".
Any ideas Cters?
I think we take for granted that everyone knows these but I'm pretty sure there are plenty who don't.
After this weekends trip to the Semaphore Lakes area, one of the main thoughts I would have includes the dreaded topic of "poo" in the backcountry. (There are no outhouses there.)
When do you decide whether to pack it out? And how? How deep to bury if you don't? How far from water is okay? What if there is water everywhere? What about the TP? Bury it too? Take it with you? How long does it take for poo to bio-degrade? What about attracting animals? What about hygeine?
I had concern as there were a large group of us and then more people. There is only so much room for holes and deposits. There were more trees than I thought there so I went with the general concensus of burying deep enough should be fine. I still had concern and wasn't entirely convinced this would be best if the area became even more popular. I do feel a little guilty now thinking about our group of 7-9 people leaving there business there. In the end everyone makes their own decision I guess, but as it was my idea to go maybe I should have been more firm on the idea to pack it out.
Other topics:
Hanging food?
Cooking?
Washing dishes and selves?
Bear spray/bangers?
Campsites?
Fires?