Backpacking and Camping Manners Be A Considerate NeighborCamp Location and
Construction
Set up camp where foot traffic
does the least damage to the fragile vegetation; never in meadows; preferable
in sandy or rocky areas. Minimize building, whether for kitchen emplacements or
bed sites. Don't disarrange the natural landscape with hard-to-eradicate
ramparts of rock for fireplaces or windbreaks. Rig tents or tarps with lines
tied to rocks or trees. Never cut boughs or poles or put nails in trees. Avoid
disturbing the soil with hollows or trenches; locate shelter so water will
drain away naturally. When breaking camp, erase all evidence that our were
there.
Fires
Use existing fire sites whenever
possible. If you can camp where no one has camped before, build a minimum
fireplace. Clear a wide circle around the fire down to mineral soil. Never
build fires near trees nor on meadows, vegetation or duff; don't place afire
against a log or back rock. Never leave a fire unattended! When breaking camp,
drown fire completely, stir and drown again until ashes are cold to the touch.
Bury ashes and charcoal. Cover all traces. Except in well established camps,
return fireplace rocks to their natural position hiding their blackened
portions.
Wood
Keep fires small. Conserve wood,
especially where scarce. Use small down wood only; do not cut standing trees,
living or dead, nor break off their branches. Snags are picturesque, apart of
the forest setting, and should not be molested. Axe work on down logs and
stumps mars the wilderness scene.
Sanitation
Dig latrines whenever a large
party plans an overnight camp or when a small groups plans a longer stay. Use
them when available. They should be inconspicuous and placed well away from
water. If there is no latrine, go far from camp or trail, dig deep and bury. Do
not leave toilet paper strewn about. Placing a rock over the site is not
satisfactory; it is too obvious and may be overturned by curious
animals.
Stock on Trail
Stock has the right of way.
Mules and horses are sometimes unpredictable and difficult to manage. Anything
unexpected may spook one jittery animal which can set a whole string to
bucking, or pull it off balance. When stock is coming, get off the trail to a
spot where the animals can see you plainly, preferably on the uphill site.
Stand and talk quietly until they have passed.
Trails
Stay on the trail. Cutting
corners and cutting across switchbacks are the quickest way to break down trail
edges and start erosion and gullying. Dislodged rocks may fall on others below
you.
Pack Stock
Inquire about local regulation.
Good grazing is limited, so take care to protect and conserve existing forage.
Keep stock from concentrating on meadows. Turn animals out at night and carry
supplemental feed whenever possible. Move picketed animals every few hours to
prevent severe tramping and over grazing. Saddle and groom stock away from camp
to prevent accumulation of manure in camp area.
Fish
Catch only as many fish as you
can eat. After cleaning them, conceal the entrails ashore; never throw them
back into the water. |