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.