Keep it real

  Keeping the environment clean is a main concern for many people. While one is hiking it is even more important that you leave no trace of your impact on the woods and shelter areas. There are so many people that are out on the trail, and comparatively only a few volunteers that are keeping it clean. “Pack it in - Pack it out”

  It is very important to not leave anything behind when hiking the trail. With so many people out there it would be a horrible mess if we did not clean up behind ourselves. One can tell when approaching a heavily used section of the trail. First the trail will be more compact, next the trail becomes wider and will begin to have bits of glass scattered about. Not long after that there will be old metal cans and bottles lying around, and the trail will be littered with snack wrappers. This can be quite disappointing after a few days of being out in nature. All this trash is just a reminder of the damage humans are having on the planet.

  There are several volunteer groups along the trail that try to keep it clean. Most of these volunteers will walk in with a trash bag and pick up what they can. The problem is, they have to walk and carry the trash out by hand. Sometimes they are doing this by hiking the same hills that will make you question your resolve on hiking the trail. There are many sources of information on what you can do to Leave No Trace (LNT) out there and I highly recommend that if you plan on hiking the trail, reading up on the subject.

  One thing you can expect on the trail is some zealot attitudes on LNT. When it comes to burning trash there are differences in opinion. Burning trash can lead to toxic things being released in to the air, on the other side, is it better to burn them or let them go to a landfill and sit for thousands of years

. Early in the trip there are so many people, many of whom have never hiked before. They have read all the books, looked at all the sites and blogs, and will be out there with a holier than thou persona on the aspects of LNT. It can be quite annoying, especially at the start when you are hiking with so many people around you. It is commonplace to hear people around a campfire arguing over the landfill/toxic air points. Here is where I should tell you to be good and pack everything out. ”Do I say, not as I did”. If there was no residue trash left behind in the fire pit I had no problem with burning. There is nothing worse than to see a fire pit full of half burned trash. It is unsightly, and very messy to clean up. Keep it simple and keep it clean.

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Living for something more than the almighty dollar.