All I can say is amen, amen, amen. This was a great video with great info. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who gets frustrated with people’s lack of trail courtesy. Thanks, Mike!
Great tips.👌🏻 I agree with all of them except hiking off trail. Some of my best trips and experiences are off trail. I am careful not to trample bushes or plants and often follow game trails.
I appreciate you bringing these things to our attention. I personally never get annoyed by other hikes--this makes my hike so much better. If hikers show a lack of etiquette, I often find that they just don't know yet. We have all been there. Patience and a kind explanation, at times, go a long way. Here is my take: leave no trace and be considerate of others. That should do it. Happy trails!
Thank you for another informative video. Week ends and holidays can be a challenge to backpack. I have spent time, educating new wilderness users, if they were open to learning. I have been a volunteer and have been trained to teach LNT and other wilderness skills. It is hard to deal with people that are breaking the rules, in a loving, kind way. It can be done, but it is hard. Case in point, hiking up the Devil 's slide to get back on the PCT, with a crowd of day hikers. I watched a young couple pass a ranger on horseback from behind. It was fortunate the rangers had a well trained horse. When I reached the saddle I struck up a conversation with the couple and after getting to know them, I asked if they would like to learn some of the rules. We were just finishing up when the ranger on the house road up. I learned that the horse was used in parades and public events. They teach LNT and trail education to 4th graders in the east and midwest, but eventually not out west... Most trail users want to do the right thing, but they just don't know. Yes, there are "privileged " people, but the majority are nice and willing to learn if approached in a kind manor. Just my 2 cents worth.. Thank you again for taking the time to create this educational video.
As a volunteer trail worker I want to thank you for mentioning that cutting switchbacks is a big no no! It's a lot of work repairing the damage that causes. We have limited funds to maintain these trails. Unfortunately most of the maintenance is repairing switchback damage.
Hey buddy you’re welcome! Just always thought it was ridiculous to cut a trail when you’re out there to hike so what’s the point of cutting corners anyways? Thanks for doing trail maintenance. It’s a very important and admirable job.
I agree. I used to volunteer for trail patrol and would see lots of folks cut the trail. They don't understand or don't care but it helps to educate for sure. Thx for your work on the trails! ☮️
Another one is; if you come into a large campsite & you see one lone tent, don't set up right next to it. You have all this space why do you have to set up right on top of me? Can't tell you how many times I've had someone camp right next to me when they could have camped farther away.
Thanks, Michael. I totally agree on the "in town etiquette". When I was a professional whitewater rafting guide it became obvious that there's a "I'm not from around here so I can act like an ass" syndrome. Now retired, and living on Maui, I see it every day with tourists. The answer to the problem is an idea that's been around for 1,000s of years - Treat other people (other hikers, food service people, store owners, the people at the post office, the guy at the grocery store, etc.) the way you'd like to be treated. If you can't do that... Get off the trail and go back home.
Thank you and I completely agree. That’s why I kept saying to be thoughtful of others. If we treat nature and others as we would be wanted to be treated it would solve most of our issues. It’s the golden rule really….
I was descending San Diego's Iron Mountain on a weekday. There were few people on the popular trail. I paused and heard distant music. As I waited, the music got louder and louder. Finally two high school girls came into view--carrying an actual boom box. I was much tempted to snatch it from them and toss it downhill, but then I'd have been obligated to pick up and discard the wreckage. I said nothing but gave them a sour look. The music-on-the-trail problem is mainly confined to hikers under 30. Most of them just can't deal with silence, whether at home or on the trail. Their whole lives have been spent looking at illuminated screens. Other hikers hike, in part, precisely to get away from urban noise, but many young hikers can't seem to function unless constantly distracted by music or chatter. It's a pity: they don't know what they're missing.
I'd like to add, when in camp, brush your teeth a good distance away from camp. Spitting toothpaste in or near camp is not only unpleasant for other campers, but it's a bear attractant as well. I already saw a PCT hiker on video, this season, brushing their teeth at the edge of the campsite shared with other PCTers. The were within the first 50 miles from Campo. It's not the first time I've seen PCT/JMT hikers do this. One more thing. Hikers get hot and sweaty out there, but it's gross when they take a dip in a pristine lake or river to cool off and wash off the body salts and oils from perspiration. I carry a strong, lightweight grocery bag for that purpose. I fill it part way with water, then move well away from the water source, then rinse off as much as possible so as not to contaminate the water source.
as a corollary to that one time I camped with a guy who spread his pee all around his tent - he said it will ward off bears. Later on that night he built a fire by burning the tail end of a huge downed branch. the next day I tried my hardest to lose the guy so I wouldn't have to camp with him again.
I think with livestock they also don't like it if you're above them...but I don't like being below them. I step off on the side that feels the safest for me. I scared a mule in the sierras one time (I think a rock started tumbling to the trail) but the handler said it was an overly sensitive one. as far as dogs...I'd rather they just let their pet poop on the ground instead of bagging it up and leaving the bag there. The bagged up dog poop will last 1000's of years in the bag.
I almost got in a fight with a mountain biker at the very beginning of the Desolation Wilderness. This guy figured he lived nearby so he could ride his bike on the PCT. We had words he stopped his bike like he wanted to go. I ran at him because I definitely wanted to go (id had it with mountain bikers by this point not the TRT). He must have realized I was serious and he took off.
In the desolation wilderness really? Not only is it not allowed on the PCT but that’s a very crowded section of the trail. That’s crazy but I’m glad you didn’t scrap with him. Finishing the PCT last summer, when I was in NorCal walking through the old Dixie fire burn I had a mountain biker riding full blast at me and scared the bell out of me. Hadn’t seen anyone in three days so wasn’t expecting it and he said the same thing. I said you do know bikes aren’t allowed on the trail? He said well I’m a local and am on these trails with my bike all the time. I repeated myself and he just laughed. A quarter mile down the trail there was a huge sign that would have been facing him telling him no bikes. I was not happy to say the least!
@@MarmaladeOutdoors One section of the TRT that allows mountain bikes actually bans electric bikes (at this was the rule a few years ago) , still the electric bikes are everywhere on that trail. I don’t know how law works. Everytime I break a law, im cited, fined, and hopefully not thrown in jail.🤣🤷
@@E_Clampus_Vitusnot all e-bikes are banned, it depends on the agency state ect... The e-bikes with a throttle are not allowed and higher rpm e-bikes are usually not allowed, but the ones that are motor assist will push button control is considered an assisted device and they are allowed on most trails that allow bicycles. Thank worst thing about e-bike users is their general ignorance to rules of the road and lack of control of their bicycle....
@@anitasimmons3599 Yeah, the rules for e-bikes are nebulous. I say we make the rules very clear. Only human powered vehicles allowed unless you’re disabled.
@@E_Clampus_Vitus I like that they allow the non throttled e-bikes on our rail trails, because it allows people to get out there that otherwise would not be able to use the trails. Like when I used to haul a trailer with 2 children, or now using the e-bikes for the shuttle back to the camping rig after hiking a day or two. I have not had to use the motor yet, but I know at some point I will overdo and need it. Mine is lighter than most e-bikes and has 9 very good gears...
Ok, A. If you and your group are meandering and I come up on you, pull over and let me go, B. If your dog is carrying a pack on a skinny and steep trail, keep them close, I was almost pushed over a cliff because owner said that his dog didn’t know how wide it was, C. If I’m solo and on a trail w/o people, I’ll blast my audiobook just to create noise to alert wildlife, if I see someone, I’ll turn off right away, don’t condemn me for it, as I said I’ll turn it off straight away.
