CC'inng While Hiking

[ROCK6]

You might have heard of Leave No Trace. It's more than just a saying, and it could stand to be practiced a lot more

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My wife and I are LNT instructors...I went along just for the hiking The LNT philosophy is actually pretty sound...a few things I do question as I haven't seen the empirical data to support, but for the most part, it has some very valuable aspects for those venturing into the backcountry.

We had a great older couple that were the "master" instructors and we hiked up near the AT in Shenandoah National Park. It was only a few day with a dozen students, mostly Boy/Girl Scout leaders. Hal, the instructor mentioned trail etiquette and how not to beat people with the LNT stick if they're violating some principle, but more to use opportunities to educate. Both he and his wife said to specifically avoid condescending confrontations with other hikers...that flies in the face of LNT. Besides, he said just about all National Parks and Forests allow firearms and you don't want to get into an LNT pissing match with a armed hiker. The irony was that the week we were on the trail, camping, cooking, doing classes, etc...I was armed the whole time and nobody knew

LNT is actually more common sense and you'll find older backcountry men and women who have been practicing it for decades without the fancy name. Respect of other hikers is the first aspect, and if they're OC a firearm, a friendly greeting and let them "hike their own hike". If I get some opportunities to educate others about LNT, I will...but I'm not the "trail police", just another backpacker who appreciates and respects the outdoors...and I'm armed

ROCK6

 

[buck460XVR]

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LNT is actually more common sense and you'll find older backcountry men and women who have been practicing it for decades without the fancy name. Respect of other hikers is the first aspect, and if they're OC a firearm, a friendly greeting and let them "hike their own hike".
ROCK6

ROCK gets it. Most of us old farts have always tried to leave the woods better than we found it. This is something we teach in hunter safety class during the "ethics" portion. Quietly picking up other folk's trash and erasing "tracks" our whole lives without thinking we need some form of acknowledgement or merit badge. If one has respect for Ma nature, they are not going to abuse or take advantage of her. No different than your own mom. In Turkey hunting we have what we call "yelp tracks". Generally, the cleared out spot beside a large tree that a previous turkey hunter has cleaned out to make a "sit". Many times besides the bare spot of ground, it will also include their candy wrappers, cigarette butts, spent shotgun hulls, etc. Whether hunting, fishing or just hiking, there is always a small trash bag in my pocket/pack to clean up the messes left behind by others. Nowadays folks think it is a "new" idea. There have been "slobs" in the woods ever since man started to walk upright. Used to be there was such little usage or pressure put on certain areas that much of this went unnoticed. Nowadays, between the dwindling of wild places plus the newly found excitement of folks wanting to "be with nature" it don't take much for it to pile up. Don't matter if it's trash or the ruts from riding Fat Tire bikes on trails that are to soft and muddy to be ridden. While we should respect other folks and the way they want to hike, I have little respect for those folks that are just users. I got accused earlier in this thread for indiscriminately cutting trees for walking sticks instead of buying ski poles. Something I have never done. Funny how it's the same person that thinks anyone in the woods with a gun is ignorant. Someone here is ignorant alright, and it ain't the gun carriers.

 

[eldon519]

I read #97 as an extended hand and thought I'd shook on it in #98. Can't help but get the feeling that last one is throwing stones and stirring the pot again though. I'm all for letting it settle as the OP seems to have left the conversation long ago anyhow.

 

[buck460XVR]

I read #97 as an extended hand and thought I'd shook on it in #98. Can't help but get the feeling that last one is throwing stones and stirring the pot again though. I'm all for letting it settle as the OP seems to have left the conversation long ago anyhow.

#97 was an extended hand. #98 was a limp wrist shake at the most, and for some reason, had to be initiated with another condescending statement.

My point is that respect is a two way street. Folks seem to want it given to them but them are quick to disrespect others without any knowledge or previous experience with that person. Pro gun folks want antis to give them respect, but then disrespect fellow gun owners using the same arguments as antis. This is something very difficult for me to understand, but still you see it all the time on gun forums. You either respect and support the right of someone to legally and responsibly carry a firearm or you don't. From my experience and not just an assumption, is that there are just as many, if not more, irresponsible CWCers on the trail, along with just as many anti-gunners that disrespect Mother Nature, as there are irresponsible OCers. Still it's the OCers that catch all the grief from folks that aren't comfortable OCing , and feel the need to hide their guns to get respect. It's the woods for crying out loud, not the opera.

Again, folks need to do what they themsleves are comfortable with, BUT fellow gun owners need to respect and support other gun owners that are responsible and get over trying to appease those that don't like guns, regardless of how they are carried.

I am not looking for the last word, nor am I saying my way is the right way for everyone. This will be my last response to this thread and I apologize to the OP if I took the thread off topic.

 

[eldon519]

Fair enough, for what it's worth, #98 wasn't meant to be condescending or limp wristed. I suppose that is one of the challenges of communicating in written vs spoken word.