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Trail Etiquette

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Author Article
ck1



Joined: 04 Jan 2003
Articles: 9
Comments: 0
Location: Mesa
 Posted: 8/24/2003, 11:00 pm

Creating an article on etiquette was tougher than I thought. First, deciphering between hiking rules and hiking etiquette presented a problem. Likewise, as I discovered while explaining etiquette/rules to a novice hiker, I came to the realization that for almost every item, there is an exception. So, please don’t interpret this list as steadfast. It is merely a collection to which additional ideas should be added. It is my hope that the comment section for this article will add to the list. The information below is not mine alone, but rather information from suggestions of fellow HAZ members, various hiking guides, and how-to books. I have tried to group them into categories.

Items of trail etiquette:

Knowledge Based:
- be prepared
- know your own limits
- know the rules and regulations of the area you are in
- know first aid and carry a kit
Safety:
- offer your cell phone in an emergency
- don’t beat your life or safety on a cell phone
- always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return
- don’t toss rocks or other items over cliffs or into canyons, people could be below
- when you dislodge rocks of any size, indicate so to others by yelling “rock”
- offer help to those who may need it
- bring plenty of water
- don’t hike alone if unfamiliar with the area
Respect:
- respect the land, stay on trails
- your enjoyment of the outdoors should not encroach upon the enjoyment of others
- cell phone users need to recognize that many head outside to get away from cell phones and other distractions, if you must use your phone, do so in a way that does not disrupt others.
- keep your noise level down, voices echo and carry
- keep pets leashed or under control, not everyone likes them
- pick up your trash…including food items. shells, peels and cores included
- respect private property

Stewardship:
- avoid wet or muddy trails
- walk thru mud or puddles, don’t widen the trail by walking around them
- finding artifacts and other items on the trail enhances the hike, don’t take that chance away from others, don’t disturb such items
- your name etched into a rock or tree is not cool, it is graffiti
- renew cairns when needed, but don’t build ones without purpose.
- if you must build a fire, use an existing fire ring and keep it small
- leave gates as you found them, close gates if a sign says to do so
- don’t cut switchbacks

Right of Way Rules:
- share the trail
- bikers yield to horses and hikers
- hikers yield to horses
- horses don’t yield
- don’t make sudden movements around pack animals/horses, it could spook them
- runners on the trail are supposed to yield to hikers, however the opposite is easier on both
- slower hikers should yield to faster hikers, rather than increase their own pace. step aside and allow yourself to be passed.
- keep to the right when hiking, pass on the left, and announce your presence and intention
- uphill hikers have the right away, although most will yield to enjoy the breather
- don’t take rest breaks in/on the trail, move off trail
- when stepping aside, get off the trail and as out of the way as possible.
- hike in single file if hiking in a group (especially on the Bright Angel Trail)
- approach each corner as if someone were coming in the opposite direction
- when heading down on a hike with significant elevation, bear in mind that up hill hikers aren’t interested in hearing “almost there” unless they ask you how far it is
- enjoy yourself and have fun

Above all remember...

The Journey is the Destination

Colin (ck1)
Rating: 5.00/5.00 [1]

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