LNT Seventh Principle: Be Respectful of Other Visitors

Honestly, this principle is the entire reason I wanted to do this series, so this post will probably be the longest. On every hiking forum I am on, I see so many arguments that really center around being respectful of others (or not) that I feel we need a lesson on it.

Who has the right-of-way on the trail?

Just as the rules of the road dictate right-of-way for vehicle traffic, there are guidelines for right-of-way for trail traffic.

• Downhill traffic should yield to uphill traffic. This is to avoid disturbing the momentum an uphill hiker has carefully cultivated and needs to maintain.
• Mountain bikers should yield to both hikers and to equestrians/pack animals.
• Hikers should yield to equestrians and other pack animals.

Some uphill hikers may choose to step out of the way to let downhill hikers past. This is their prerogative. Unless you see them giving up their space, try to follow the guidelines to avoid a faux pas.

The sound of music

If you want your post to be locked down by an admin in any hiking forum, bring up music. The hiking world is clearly divided on this one.

Generally I hike without music, but I've been known to pull out headphones a time or two so I completely get it. Music can make a steep climb go by easier. I don't use a Bluetooth speaker though because I know others probably don't want to hear my music. However, headphones present a safety issue, and sometimes the speaker is a safer option. 

So here is my suggested compromise: on the trail when you're passing people in transit, a Bluetooth speaker is OK as long as you keep the volume to within 20-30 foot audible radius. You're just passing someone for a few seconds and then you aren't disturbing other hikers, so I think it's perfectly acceptable. Once you reach your summit vista or wherever people are congregating for a prolonged amount of time, put the speaker away and let everyone enjoy their experience without your soundtrack. Please, we neither need nor want it. 

I will give one notable exception to the Musical Mountaineers or anyone else who wants to go through the trouble of lugging musical instruments into the backcountry for a live music performance. If you want to put in that amount of effort, then you get to reap your reward! Live music is a go any time. It's a unique experience to add whimsy to an adventure, and I am 100% down with that!

Stop the gatekeeping

There is a massive issue with gatekeeping in the hiking community right now. Hiking is experiencing a renaissance largely fueled by Instagram and other social media. Hipster hikers who were in the backcountry "before it was cool" will share their opinions on who should...and who should not...be allowed in the wilderness, and we need to talk about why this is a problem. 

Public lands belong to the public. That means everyone gets their share at using public lands. This means that hikers need to learn to share with mountain bikers, hunters, ATV users, dogs, equestrians, etc. I have heard all of these groups bashed in hiking forums as not belonging on the trails. The woods are large, and there's room enough for all, so why the hate?

Some Leave No Trace purists feel that leaving any impact on wild lands should not be permitted. The way they talk, we should just wrap the backcountry in giant bubble and not let anyone in! Well, except for them of course, because they have dubbed themselves worthy. Give me a freaking break! I have this crazy, novel idea: we can have spaces for natural wilderness conservation AND still provide a variety of recreation options on public lands! 

Look, the truth is that funding for public lands is on the decline even as the number of visitors steadily climbs. The more visitors are welcomed into outdoor spaces, the greater awareness can be spread and the easier it will be to fight for funding to maintain these spaces. So instead of bashing people with an elitist, holier-than-thou attitude, try some education. That's what I'm trying to do with this series of posts. I'm trying to keep the door open.

Leave No Trace is about minimizing impact in order to allow space for everyone to enjoy the outdoors. Whether you're a mountain biker, an ATV user, a rock climber, a day hiker or a multi-day backpacker, there's room for you. Be considerate of your impact and of others, and we can all get along.

Just be considerate

Really, that's all that LNT boils down to. Be considerate to land managers, considerate to nature, considerate to others, and considerate to your own needs. If you can follow that, then you don't need to memorize seven principles. Just be considerate.

LNT Sixth Principle: Respect Wildlife

When you're hiking in the backcountry, it's important to remember that all the critters out there consider it their home and you are the guest. In order to preserve the ecosystem, you better respect them. This goes for your safety and theirs.

Don't feed the wildlife

This should be common sense, but you should avoid feeding the wildlife either intentionally or unintentionally.

If animals become too reliant on people for food, this can interfere with their natural migration patterns and their ability to survive harsher months. Depending on what you're feeding them, it could be ultimately unhealthy for them. Also, lots of the adorable little alpine mammals can carry hantavirus, which while rare is very unpleasant if you're unfortunate to contract it. The symptoms range from fatigue and muscle aches to nausea, abdominal pain, and respiratory distress.

Look, I get it, they're cute and you want to lure them in for a picture, but it's just not good for them. If you must feed animals, stick to the birds at an urban municipal park (but feed them seeds, not bread).

In addition to not feeding the animals intentionally, it's important not to feed them unintentionally either. I am specifically considering bears here. Bears are very, very food motivated. The day they associate humans with food is a bad day for the bear; if they become a nuisance or become aggressive it is highly likely that animal control will put the bear down. Relocating doesn't work; a bear associating people with food is too dangerous for people and will be killed. Keep food in a bear canister or hanging up on a line, and keep that food at least 100 feet from wherever you are camping. Some regions require bear canisters while backpacking, so check the regulations where you are going.

This little golden mantled squirrel thinks all people = food, and boldly approaches my pack while I'm resting.

Give them space

Speaking of bears, don't approach them! Or any alpha predator for that matter. I mean, they could eat you! If you get too close and stress them out, their "fight or flight" instinct could kick in and if they choose fight, you probably won't come out ahead. So many, many times I hear about people who saw a cute little baby bear and were like "daww, let's get closer for a picture!" only to be mauled when Mama Bear came charging. Don't approach them!

Exact distances may vary by land manager (Yellowstone has specific rules to stay 25 yards away from large wildlife, for instance), but for large predators 100 yards (1 football field) is a good rule of thumb.

In fact, you can use your "rule of thumb" to measure if you're too close: Hold your arm straight out and stick up your thumb. If you can completely obscure the animal with your thumb, you are a safe distance away. If not, then you're too close and should back away when reasonable. Sometimes the animals have other plans, but don't move yourself closer.

Don't interfere with their environment

Avoid camping within 100' of lakes or streams to avoid cutting wildlife off from water sources (some land managers require a 200' buffer zone).

Also, consider putting the Bluetooth speaker away. I'll talk more about that in the next post, but making too much noise can disrupt wildlife. A little noise is fine to ward of predators; bells or just talking to your hiking companions is typically more than enough. Consider your noise impacts when hiking. The quieter you are, the more wildlife you are likely to see, no food lures required!