Appalachian Trail Etiquette (Top 5)
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Tags: Appalachian Trail,AT,AT Thru-Hike,Thru-Hike,Backpacking,Hiking,Adventure,Leave No Trace,Trail,Hiker Trash,Long Distance Hiking,PCT,CDT,AZT,UL Backpacking,Section Hiking
Video Transcription
hey guys it's Darwin so today I wanted to make a video talking about something that I think is pretty important if you're going to go do a thru-hike or a section hike or maybe you're just out on the trail for the weekend and that is trail etiquette there's tons of things to not do on the trail and today I'm going to go over my top five [Music]
alright so there are a lot of different trail etiquette things to do on a trail and things not to do to help make sure that you and others enjoy nature around you this is just a list of my top 5 that sometimes kind of get to me when other people do or don't do and the things that I try to make sure that I follow as much as possible number 1 right-of-way this is a big one for me especially because a lot of people I don't think even know this one but that's giving the right away to a hiker that is ascending whenever you are descending so if you're coming down a really steep piece of trail and you notice in front of you that there is a hiker or a group of hikers that are climbing up the trail stop and get out of the way you already have your momentum and gravity is your friend
now when that hiker has a pack on their back and they're trying to climb this super steep thing that you're just hauling ass down get out of their way be polite let them pass because they're putting a lot more effort into it and it's harder to get their momentum going again once they stop to let you over most times hikers are pretty polite and will step aside if they see that you're coming up but there's been a handful of times where I've been out on the trail and I've been climbing and someone just kept barreling past me it's just kind of one of my pet peeves on the trail but make sure that you're giving the right away to hikers that are hiking a little bit harder than what you are number 2 music everybody likes to listen to music whenever they're out in nature well most everybody I myself carry an iPod and a pair of headphones so whenever there's a really long day that I have to bust out I can put some music in to help those miles pass and that's fine nothing wrong with that but there are a handful of hikers out on the trail especially on the 80 that like to blare their music on their phone or maybe a speaker that's attached their pack no one else wants to hear your music nobody wants to hear your jams or your favorite song or your inspirational song that helps you climb that hill people are more interested in there hike and don't want to hear your music some people just like hiking around listening to the wind birds and nature and don't want to hear any music at all so be respectful of other hikers and use headphones put the music in your ear space out be in your own world that don't share it with other people because other people don't want to hear your music
number three going to the bathroom this should be a duh for most people but if you've got to go to the bathroom especially number two get the hell off the trail
I've heard a handful of different foot rules the one that I try to follow is the 200 foot rule get 200 feet from a trail or a shelter if you're staying at a shelter or a campsite and do your business because if it's close to a trail and a hiker wanders just a little bit off the trail and they step in your mess that's pretty nasty guys so make sure that you get at least 200 feet away from where other hikers are going to be and do your business also make sure you at least take your trekking pole or a stick if you don't have a trowel and bury your crap nobody wants to wander through the woods looking for sticks to build a campfire and stumble upon your little mountain with a little piece of toilet paper sitting on top of it that's pretty nasty so make sure you have respect for other hikers get off the trail and do your business number four and this is a big one for me guys both in 2015 and 2016 I had a lot of problems with this and that's if you're a late hiker as in you like hiking into the night whenever you come upon a shelter or a campsite and it's late be quiet chances are if you come into a campsite and it's already dark and there's tents up there's people in the tent sleeping when that should just be a dug guys also if you're coming up to a shelter and you see people laying in a shelter don't sit there blaring your music talking really loud if you have to eat fine but be as quiet as you possibly can respect other people especially if another hiker has gotten up super early so they could get their miles in for the day maybe they're not as strong of a hikers you and they needed more time I'm during the day to get their hike done maybe you did a 20-mile a day and you started real late and you hiked into the night but maybe they only did a ten-mile day and it took them all day to do that they need their rest they want their privacy so be respectful of other people be quiet if you do plan on staying up partying making a bonfire eating really loud drinking smoking whatever move on find another campsite get a stealth campsite but get away from other hikers and be respectful of other people trying to sleep don't stumble upon a campsite and make a bunch of noise because it's just rude and number five this should be the biggest duh it's been pushed into everybody that's been out in nature as much as possible and I'm going to push it as well Leave No Trace if you bring crap in take it out that has to do with trash that has to do with food that has to do with gear on the 80 especially there's so much crap at shelters so much trash that's thrown in the fire pit so much gear that's leftover that people didn't want to carry so they just dumped it off at the shelter hoping that somebody else will pick it up Leave No Trace guys it's a privilege to be out hiking the trail and enjoying nature so leave it as it was don't trash it for the next person to clean it up especially at shelters and campsites where you have all of these volunteers for the ATC that are making sure that we have a great time out there
don't make them clean up all your crap because you're lazy and if we want to continue to enjoy and have these trails we got to follow this we got to make sure that we're not going to get kicked out the thing we're there to enjoy because we can't follow a simple rule so Leave No Trace all right so what are some trail etiquettes that I missed maybe you have some personal pet peeves and trail etiquette that you can think of that I didn't mention leave them in the comment box below and let me know kind of what your biggest ones are if you haven't got a chance yet go over and check me out on Instagram I'm posting a lot of new photos lately of some of the things that snuggles and I have going on throughout the week go ahead and like or dislike this video subscribe to my channel if you haven't already as always guys thanks for watching [Music]
you
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About the Author
Darwin Onthetrail
At the end of 2014 my wife Snuggles & I decided to quit our jobs, sell 95% of the things we own, & leave our home town for good in search of adventure, culture, & the true meaning of happiness. We bought a van, traveled all over the country & hiked the entire Appalachian Trail (2189.2 miles). We are still seeking adventure in new places, meeting new people, trying new food & drink, & discovering all that we can.
This Channel has developed into a main hub for aspiring hikers & current hikers to gain info on a wide variety of Trail Topics. With a series of Trip Videos, Q&A, Tip Videos, & Gear Reviews, I aim to get you out on the trail and hiking more!
Hike On,
Darwin
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