A wilderness ethic

“1. When I leave my campsite, I look back and ask, "Can I tell I was here?"

2. I keep visual and audible impact to a minimum -- and leave my radio at home.

3. I bury human waste off the trail, at least 100 feet away from the nearest water source.

4. I never cut green trees, dig trenches or wash in a stream.

5. I cook with a stove, and if I have a campfire, I keep it small and away from boulders, rocks or fallen trees.

6. When leaving, I "dead out" the fire with water and sand, bury it and "no trace" the campsite.

7. I pack out ALL trash, including that left by others.

8. I leave my campsite better than I found it.

-- Mic Mead, founder of Adventure 16 (1942)

Right on. Except I say 200 feet, and for number 7 I say there are limitations.

8-)”

“nightvision,on item number 2,there seems to be some question on how far to go with low visual/audible impact. It first came to the foreground of my thinking when Isle Royale added low viz recommendations to their camping guidelines some years back. I had a personal affinity for green gear already, being a military brat and Scout who absorbed the concept of khaki and olive drab, though it went against my photography training that some bright color enlivens photos.

Some folks have expressed concern to me that they might get too invisible on the trail for emergency location if they go to all greens and brown in equipment and clothing. Certainly I don't think everyone needs to be in camo, though I actually like it myself -- low vis clothing and gear can have big benefits when it comes to wildlife spotting, for example. On the other hand, I've got some gear that's pretty visable, such as two blue day packs and a blue windbreaker/pants set, and a "mango" rain parka, the latter such a good sale deal that I couldn't pass it up.

And do bear bells on you pack ruin the serenity of the back country? How about a harmonica around the campfire? How far to go on this?”

“1942 and a radio? Would not a typical 1942 commercially produced battery powered radio be about the size of a small backpack? Of course he left it behind if backpacking. I think this guy was car camper or horse packed.”

“I always try to keep my flatulence to a minimum in the backcountry so as not to frighten the wildlife.”

“pekka,

I agree with you on the camo thing...I like to be as invisible as possible, particularly when solo. It's a good idea for safety reasons, as well as the added benefit of increased wildlife sightings.

As far as people wanting visibility for emergency rescue puposes...don't people carry mirrors and/or whistles for this?

I am more of a naturalist in the woods, I guess you could say. I like to tell time by the sun, the weather by watching the skies, geography by studying the landscape...
I leave the radio at home. No cell phone, no watch(unless it's an extremely short trip with >cringe< deadlines for returning). I do enjoy some benefits of modern technology, as far as goretex and polypro as it makes my load lighter and gets me farther into the back country. Also, I bring a compass, of course. :o)”

“#4 - One should never cut dead trees, either. If it isn't fallen, leave it alone.

#6 - This should include dismantling the fire ring, and scattering the rocks, then placing dirt over the coals/ashes.”

“AmyG,
By staying low viz -- not necessarily camo but subdued earth tones, I have been just off trail on a rock outcropping when a noisy group of hikers has come up a trail and never noticed me, though I could have snatched the hats off their heads. I, too, enjoy the naturalist approach when hiking, being observant more than observed. And I agree on its benefits for solo hiking where you don't want to draw attention to your solo-ness, especially and unfortunately, perhaps for women. Though I've never met any women on the trail in camo, maybe I just couldn't see them!

Isn't it interesting, but the folks who have told me they want emergency visibility have never brought up signal devices. I guess they plan to wave their red backpack or parka at the ranger's plane.”

“I don't actually wear camo(it's not my color) but generally blacks, browns, etc neutrals.
The one thing I don't like about my Zephyr, other than no vestibule, is that part of it is red(and tan). I usually camp(solo) well enough off-trail that it doesn't matter though. Unless it is dead of winter (with snow), you probably won't see me. ;o)”

“I must confess, please forgive me, in reference to number 7 (...pack out ALL trash) - I burn as much as possible and pack out the rest. This is probably not acceptable but compared to an incinerator stack spewing toxins day in and day out, or the rotting stench of a landfill, "my poof of smoke" of shrink wrap, folger single wrappers, oatmeal wrappers, empty lipton noodle pakaging and goya rice wraps(foil like plastic) doesnt amount to much harm. Hell its got to be done anyway.(by me or the Municipality Waste Entity) I do pack out foil, used coffee tea bags and other items bescause that is litter plain and simple.

Have I sinned agaisnt nature and my fellow outdoors lovers?”

“One thing I've never understood. I thought all animals, except primates/humans, only see in black and white anyway. SO why the hell does it matter what color you wear?”

“Rosey,
Animals can't tell that it's bright red but they can tell it's a very different shade of grey then the surounding green trees. Also, they are great at picking out large patches of single colors, not many things in nature are single colored, geometrical in shape or have perfect straight lines. Camo is also designed to break up or blur the shape of the body helping you blend into your environment.”

“Safety YELLOW!!!!!! KICKS A-HOLE!”

“The neutral colors are to enhance the wilderness experience of your fellow hikers.

I once sat atop Iron Creek Summit, ID glassing the surrounding drainages, valleys, and mountains. I saw no signs of humans other than my camp, a very distant road, and a red shirted individual some miles distant. If that person had been wearing a neutral color, I would have never seen them, and consequently, would have thought I had all those hundreds of square miles to myself...”

“I also prefer natural attire. Especially when no one else is around.